SYLLABUS: Art 442 3-D COMP ANIM III
Spring 14, Sect. 1, 11494, TTh 2-4:45, CSUN, Art Dept.
Classroom AC 330 Animation Lab
Professor Mark Farquhar
Office Hrs: TTh 7:30-8am AC402 4:45-5:45pm, AC 330
Email: mfarquhar@csun.edu
Course Description:
Advanced study of 3-D Computer Animation with a focus on character acting, timing and advanced action analysis.
Includes: key-frame animation with full body gestures, lip sync acting, and support elements of modeling, rigging,
texturing, and lighting. Culminating in the production of quality work suitable for student Demo Reel. Pre-req: Art 364.
Recommended Preparatory Courses: Art 365.
Art Departmnet Program Goals Addressed:
1. Basic Skills: Developing a foundation of art knowledge, theories, skills, craftspersonship and technologies, where ideas
and concepts are communicated in writing, speaking and art making.
2. Art Knowledge: Broadening knowledge of ancient through contemporary art and to develop an understanding of art
within theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts.
3. Critical Thinking: Analyzing, interpreting, and questioning traditional methodologies and pre-conceived notions of art
and art making through the process of generating and solving problems.
7. Professional Preparation: Developing career paths for various art professions and an understanding of the demands and
expectations of those areas.
Course Learning Outcomes. Student will:
1. Build on principles of animation learned in earlier animation courses. Practice more proficient understanding and
successful integration of animation principles, technology and personal aesthetic in conceptually rich and skillfully
executed work. Techniques addressed comprise: character creation, animation, modeling, rigging, acting, timing, lip
sync, lighting, environment creation, and surface texturing.
2. Practice creative concept research, design, and development of character animation work. Relate professional and
progressive artistic work from the animation field to student preproduction planning through critical analysis.
3.Acquire and apply advanced approaches to course specific software technology (3-D Computer Graphic Maya software.)
Apply knowledge of animation production tools learned in earlier animation courses.
4. Critically analyze peers work in classroom critiques. Analyze own development and comfortably receive constructive
critical feedback. Apply problem-solving skills and make revisions to improve work.
5.Add advanced production work to student reel that can be used for internship
or job application in the Animation Industry.
STUDENT EVALUATION:
Assignments are specific and evaluated accordingly for both the process and the product. Sufficient evidence of an ongoing
creative process and development over time with corrected revisions is expected.
70% Exercises and Assignments.
10% Quizzes on course lectures and assigned reading
10% Critical thinking/presentation: research, reference photos, readings, lectures and critical analysis.
10% Attendance and Participation: Demonstration of technical and design stages creative process. Contribution to in class
critiques, discussions and screenings, as well as, Animation Industry events.
LATE WORK:
Meeting deadlines is essential in Animation and Visual Effects production. Late work will not be accepted unless an
arrangement has been made in advance and approved by the instructor.
ASSIGNMENT DELIVERY:
This is not an on-line course. All assignments must be turned in during class meeting times. It is not appropriate for students
to email instructor assignments or to request feedback out of class or office hours.
END OF TERM:
Students are responsible for turning in up to date copy of each assignment online at www.box.com .
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
This studio course requires attendance, actual work in class and homework/lab time outside of class time. Attendance is by
sign-in at the beginning of each class.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR/PROFESSIONAL DEPORTMENT:
In the classroom/lab, students are expected to practice professional behavior and treat other students, lab techs and faculty
with respect and cooperation. Please see the CSUN student code of conduct online at:
http://www.csun.edu/studentaffairs/pdfs/standards_student_conduct.pdf
SPECIAL NEEDS:
Students with disabilities must register with the Center on Disabilities and complete a service agreement each
semester. Staff with in the Center will verify the existence of a disability based on the documentation provided
and approved accommodations. Students who are approved for test-taking accommodations must provide an
Alternative Testing Form to their faculty member signed by a counselor in the Center on Disabilities prior to
making testing arrangements. The Center on Disabilities is located in Bayramian Hall, room 110. Staff can be
reached at 818 677-2684.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
Digital Lighting & Rendering (2nd Edition), Jeremy Birn, New Riders Press ISBN 0321316312; The Animator's Survival
Kit, Richard Williams, Faber & Faber, ISBN 0571202284, The Illusion of Life, Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, Disney
Editions, ISBN 0786860707; Cartoon Animation, Preston Blair, Walter Foster, ISBN 1560100842; Timing for Animation,
Harold Whitaker, Focal Press, ISBN 0240517148; The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, Third Edition, Isaac
Victor Kerlow, Wiley, ISBN 0471430366.
Materials:
USB Flash Drive, Recordable CDs , Highly recommended but not required, 40 GB or more Firewire Hard Dive