SYLLABUS

Course Syllabus

Course Title: Storyboarding & Animatics
Course Number: MAAB222

Class Meetings: MW 11AM-1:45PM
Session/Year: Fall 2014

Instructor Name: Professor Ellis
Email Address: smellis@aii.edu
Phone: NA
Instructor Availability Outside of Class: MW 4:30PM-6PM

Storyboarding & Animatics

Course Description: This course focuses on applying industry-standard storyboarding techniques for animation. Topics to be covered include the various purposes, formats, terminology, and concepts used in the creation of storyboards and animatics with audio.

Prerequisite(s): Short Format Storytelling 

Corequisite(s): None


Instructional Contact Hours/Credits:

Course Length: 11 Weeks
Contact Hours: 66 hours
Lecture: 33 hours
Lab: 33 hours
Credit Values: 4.0 Credits

Quarter Credit Hour Definition:
A quarter credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

1.  One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for 10-12 weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
2.  At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Apply industry-standard storyboard techniques to animation

•  Explain the various purposes of storyboards in relation to animation
• Define formats and labeling guidelines for animation storyboards
• Identify and illustrate camera moves as they apply to animation
• Create production book
• Pitch story concepts

Create stories and illustrate concepts through sequential images

• Differentiate scenes, cuts, fades, and dissolves as they apply to animation storyboards
• Examine shot selection as it applies to animation storyboards 

Create a storyboard based on a written script

• Differentiate among thumbnail sketches, roughs, production, and presentation storyboards
• Create thumbnail sketches through interpretation of a written script
• Prepare a presentation-quality storyboard 

Produce an animatic

• Apply editing techniques to a finished storyboard
• Integrate sound and timecode to storyboard
• Apply camera movement and motion
• Utilize mulitplaning techniques
• Animate isolated storyboard elements
• Produce output for various media 

Discuss and apply camera techniques

• Apply cinematic techniques that engage the viewer 

Integrate audio with visual elements

• Match audio effects with specific visual images
• Use audio to enhance mood
• Distinguish among various types of audio sources

Use video editing equipment

• Utilize a non-linear editing system

Operate within the constraints of a production process

• Demonstrate successful scheduling of a project
• Apply compatible delivery system appropriate to various media
• Analyze project needs, and manage all files and assets

Instructional Materials and Reference:
Text(s):
Title: Storyboarding
Author: Wendy Tumminello
Date:
Publisher: Thomson Delmar Learning

ISBN: 1-4018-2715-2 

Technology Needed: Computer Lab

Instructional Methods: This course will be delivered as a combination of in class lectures and laboratory experiences.

Assessment Criteria and Methods of Evaluating Students: 
Each class you will receive a points, each class will be the total of 5 possible points.
1 point for participation and 4 points to reflect the quality of work you did for that day.
Each week you can receive up to 10 points for the total of 100 points by the end of the quarter.

A   100-92
A-  91.9-90
B+ 89.9-88
B   87.9-82
B-  81.9-80
C+ 79.9-78
C   77.9-73
C-  72.9-70
D   69.9-69.8
F   69.7 and Below
 

Student Evaluation / Grading Policies: I use the final review rubric when grading your work

Classroom Policy: Attending all classes and submitting all assignments on time do not guarantee you passing. You need to demonstrate a base competence in animation to pass the class. The Art Institute of Washington expects its students and employees to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. In addition, the Art Institute has a strict policy that disallows sexual harassment of either students or employees. 
All students or employees are encouraged to report any professional or sexual misconduct to the Dean of Student Affairs.
Student Art Work: The Art Institute of Washington defines an act of academic dishonesty as any attempt to take the work of someone else and submit it as one’s own. If you are suspected of plagiarism of any kind your instructor reserves the right to fail you for the assignment or the course. Students may appeal in writing to the Dean of Academic Affairs.


Disability Services:
The Art Institute of Washington provides accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. The Disability Services office assists qualified students with disabilities in acquiring reasonable and appropriate accommodations and in supporting equal access to services, programs and activities at The Art Institute of Washington.
Students who seek reasonable accommodations should notify the Disabilities Services Coordinator at Mark McKenna of their specific limitations and, if known, their specific requested accommodations. Students will be asked to supply medical documentation of the need for accommodation. Classroom accommodations are not retroactive, but are effective only upon the student sharing approved accommodations with the instructor. Therefore, students are encouraged to request accommodations as early as feasible with the Disability Services Coordinator to allow for time to gather necessary documentation. If you have a concern or complaint in this regard, please contact Mark McKenna in room 1107, telephone number 703-247-2685. Complaints will be handled in accordance with the school’s Internal Grievance Procedure for Complaints of Discrimination and Harassment.

Suggested Weekly Outline

Week 1: Introduction and review of storytelling; Digitize boards; Isolate elements

Week 2: Sound, edit, and animate

Week 3: Finalize edit and export

Week 4: Brainstorming and research

Week 5: Concept development

Week 6: Script and storyboard

Week 7: Storyboarding and pitch boards within production book

Week 8: Revise boards and rough edit

Week 9: Digitize boards; Isolate elements

Week 10: Sound, edit, and animate, Finalize edit and export

Week 11: (TBD)