Physics of
Animation
(Art/Physics 123)
Prof. Alejandro Garcia
Fall 2009
Class is fully enrolled and I am not allowed to add students. Sorry.
Contact Info
• Office: Science Bldg. Room 245
• Office Phone: (408) 924-5244
• Office Hours:
Mon. 2:00-3:00pm & Wed., 1:00-2:00pm
and also available by appointment.
• E-mail: algarcia@algarcia.org
• WWW: www.algarcia.org
• Course website:
http://artphysics123.pbworks.com
Course Overview
Physics of Animation is an introduction to
the principles and concepts of physics
relevant to animation and special effects.
Who Should Take This Course?
Animation / Illustration majors (ideally concurrent with Art 114);
Film majors; non-science majors interested in animation, specialeffects, and physics.
Science and engineering majors will not find this course to be
useful because they cover the same physics in their required
courses.
Course Website
ArtPhysics123.pbworks.com
Prerequisites
Physics of Animation is an Area R course
Course prerequisites are completion of core GE,
satisfaction of WST, and upper division standing.
For students who begin continuous enrollment Fall
2005 or later, courses used to satisfy Areas R, S,
and V must be taken from three separate SJSU
departments or other distinct academic units.
Note that these prerequisites apply to any "SJSU
Studies" course
Schedule
Visit the course website for the full
schedule of lectures and assignments
Furlough dates (for this class only!):
• Monday, September 14th (Out of town)
• Monday, October 19th (Campus-wide furlough)
• Wednesday, November 25th (Thanksgiving)
Grades
•
•
•
•
Two Term Papers (125 points each)
Homework (175 points)
Class Participation (25 points)
Final Exam (50 points) Points
Grade
There will also be several
opportunities for extra credit.
500 – 401
A
400 – 301
B
300 – 201
C
200 – 101
D
100 – 0
F
Term Papers
Term Paper #1. The Laws of Physics in an
Animation Universe (Due Oct. 14th)
Term Paper #2. Science Fact or Cinematic
Fiction? (Due Nov. 25th)
The required length of each term paper is 1500
words, which is about 6 double-spaced
typewritten pages (not counting images).
Homework
• Homework will be assigned periodically.
• Assignments will be non-traditional, such
as shooting video reference, analyzing
video using tracking software, and creating
stop-motion animation.
• You will “turn in” your homework by
uploading it to your personal blog.
First Homework Assignment
Your first assignment is to set up a personal
blog for this course.
You may use any system you prefer but I
recommend using Blogger, which I will be using
(go to artphysics123.blogspot.com).
If you already have a personal blog then I strongly
suggest that you set up a separate one for the
course; in Blogger it's easy to manage multiple
blogs.
First Homework Assignment
Please use your real name on the blog. It will also
be helpful to me if you include a recognizable
photo of yourself in your profile.
This course blog will mainly be used for posting
your homework assignments but you can also
post other comments. It's your blog.
You are encouraged to read each others blogs,
especially if you give each other helpful
comments and advice.
Can also post comments, advice, suggestions, etc.
to the course blog.
First Homework Assignment
When your blog has been set up, send me an
e-mail (algarcia@algarcia.org) with a link to your
blog.
This assignment is due by 8am on Monday,
August 31st (week from today).
You have plenty of time but don’t wait; set up your
blog tonight so you don’t forget.
Class Participation
• During lecture I’ll ask simple questions.
• Next time I’ll demonstrate the clicker
system we’ll use in class.
• Participation counts towards your grade.
• Attending class is optional but if you don’t
attend, you can’t participate.
• Answering quiz questions correctly counts
for extra participation points.
Cheating
• Don’t.
Special Topics
Textbook / Supplies
No textbook. Need a digital camera that
can shoot video for homework
Disabilities
Please contact me if you’ve any special
needs.
Emergencies
If we need to leave the room, please take
your things.
Special Announcement
For Animation / Illustration students only:
A/I Program General Meeting
September 3rd (Thurs.), 5:30 pm
Morris Dailey Auditorium (Tower Hall)
Mandatory Attendance
Demos
•
•
•
•
Frequent demos to illustrate concepts.
Welcome volunteers
Safety comes first
No magic tricks, just physics
Demo: Egg Throw
Throw a raw egg
as fast as
possible at a
bedsheet that’s
held loosely.
X
X
X
X
X (Hold here)
Final Warning
This is the first time that this kind of course
has been taught. Anywhere.
Because it’s unprecedented, there will likely
be some “rough spots.”
I’ll do my best to make the course as useful
and interesting as possible.
If you decide to stay, I hope you enjoy it.
Next Lecture
Physics in Animation,
The Big Picture
By Wednesday:
Visit the course website
artphysics123.pbworks.com
Read the full course description, information
on grading, and other syllabus items