(ARS 425-01) (SP19) ANIMATION: SHORT FILM 1

Animation: Short Film

ARS 425 Wilson Hall 201 Office Hours: By appointment Friday 10 am to 2 pm | Monday-Wednesday 2:30 pm to 4 pm

Ellie Nikoo elham.nikoo@uah.edu Office: 350

 

//Course Description

In this course, students will collaborate to produce short animations. Through this collaboration, the idea for short animations will be developed and the concept, story, characters and the world will be built. The ability to work in a group and communicate is essential to this class. It is also important to be very organized, detail oriented, and able to meet deadlines. Introductory level knowledge of Autodesk Maya or digital painting applications such as Photoshop and Krita is necessary.

//Learning Objectives

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Gain a thorough understanding of the process of producing CG short films
• Manage time and resources for producing quality work while meeting deadlines
• Understand the importance of being organized and detail oriented in the process of making an animation
• Advance in communicating with peers and among different disciplines
• Develop critical thinking skills and the ability to provide and receive constructive feedback
• Enhance problem solving and research skills
• Understand and maintain workflows that allow for going back and forth between production steps

//Method

This is a production course, and though there will be lectures, demos, and assignments, the majority of your time will be spent collaborating with your peers to produce the semester’s short films.  

We are all familiar with high-end graphics of video games and animations and understandably want to create such work comparable with those standards. But remember, most of such projects are produced over a long period of time by large teams of professional artists and technicians. When deciding on projects and assignments for this course, aim for quality and developing good working habits instead of complexity.

//Evaluation

Exercises and Participation	10%
Story Pitches	10%
Milestones	80%

//Textbook

Recommended textbook: 

Hannes Rall, “Animation, from concept to production”

//Grading System

97-100	A+
93-96	A
90-92	A-
87-89	B+
83-86	B
80-82	B-
77-79	C+
70-76	C
60-69	D
0-59	F

//Course Policies

/Canvas

All the materials and assignments for this course will be published on Canvas. You should access Canvas regularly as course announcements and materials will be posted throughout the semester.  Canvas is the official Course Management System for UAH.  Login problems and password resets need to be directed to the OIT Help Desk, helpdesk@uah.edu, 256-824-3333, http://www.uah.edu/oit Links to an external site.. 

/Saving Files

Do not save to the C/OS drive of the computers, instead save all files to D/Data.  The D drive will not be erased without notice, but the C drive may be overwritten (and all files on it deleted) several times a semester.  You need to create a folder with your name on drive D and keep all your materials in that folder! Remember that download, desktop, and document folders are all on drive C.

/File sharing and back up

As a student of UAH, you have unlimited storage space on your UAH google account. You may back up and save your files to this google drive. Remember that you need to login to google accounts with your UAH Google ID which is #your charger ID@uah.edu. Throughout the semester, links to a shared folder on google drive will be included in some assignments. In such cases, you need to log in with your UAH google account to access that folder.

/Classroom

You will get card access to the lab and will have access anytime you are in the building and there are no other classes taking place.  Wilson Hall is open Monday to Friday 7AM to 10PM, Saturday 8AM to 10PM, and Sunday 9AM to 10PM.  You may use the lab outside of those hours, but you will need to already be in the building in order to do so.  Please do not prop open doors.

/Participation and Attendance

This is a collaborative, project based class and attendance is required! Good attendance record and effort put in on assignments can positively influence your final grade. Other than official university absences, you are responsible for any assignments given during your absence and are required to turn in any assignments, regardless of attendance. Missing assignments given and collected on the same day will result in loss of credit.

/Cell phone

Cell phones seem to be an inseparable part of our lives. Along with all the benefits that come with them, there are many disadvantages such as constant distraction. Cell phone policies for this course are established to maintain a distraction free classroom and learning environment.  

Cell phones should be on silent mode. Checking your phone constantly and talking or texting during scheduled class time is not allowed. In cases of emergency, students may answer calls outside of the class.

/Instructor Communication

The office hours does not mean I am available for meeting. Please set appointments with me in advance through email or in person. You may send me messages through Canvas or your UAH email. I answer emails from 8 am to 8 pm on weekdays. I only answer emails on weekends if there is an emergency.

//Schedule

The following weekly schedule is for reference and is subject to change if necessary.

wk 1	-Course introduction -Short film survey -Initial story concepts
wk 2	-Two person team story pitches -Form 4 -5 person teams
wk 3	-Team story pitches, idea selections
wk 4	-Production Begins
wk 5	-Production
wk 6	-Milestone 1
wk 7	-Production
wk 8	-Production
wk 9	-Production
wk 10	-Milestone 2
wk 11	Spring Break
wk 12	-Production
wk 13	-Production
wk 14	-Production
wk15	-Milestone 3
wk16	-Final Project Due

//General Course Policies

Academic misconduct:

All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited, and individuals or groups found guilty of any such misconduct may be subject to discipline as listed in the UAH Student Handbook Code of Conduct. Refer to the UAH Student Handbook for policies related to standards of conduct, including plagiarism, cheating, and student rights and responsibilities.

Professional behavior:

Every student is required to act respectfully and lawfully and in such a way as not to adversely affect the educational processes of the University or the rights of members of the University community and others. Violation of this general standard of behavior may be considered as misconduct.  

Plagiarism prevention:  

Plagiarism is the utilization of another person's work, published or unpublished, as one's own work. Any indication of plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct will be investigated and documentation of such will be considered justification for failure of the course and disciplinary action. Plagiarism includes submitting for a grade, work previously submitted by another student.  

ADA:  

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all qualified students with disabilities.  Students with disabilities must notify their course manager the first week of class, and contact the DSS office (256.824.1997) with requests for accommodations no less than two weeks prior to the start of term (http://www.uah.edu/health-and-wellness/disability-support Links to an external site.).