MAC 247 Topics in Animation and Visual Effects
A hands-on course in the fundamentals of animated media and visual effects production examined alongside their history, techniques, form, and methods. Students will explore creative and technical strategies for designing form and content across experimental, abstract, character based, hybrid, and live-action composited approaches. A series of individual and collaborative, hands-on media projects will be supplemented by discussions of theoretical readings, screenings, and technical workshops. Topics courses may be repeated with a different topic for credit. Note: specific topics may fulfill distinct Core requirements.
Animation Fundamentals
A hands-on course in the fundamentals of animated media production with special emphasis on integrations between analog and digital techniques. Students will explore creative strategies for designing form and content across experimental, abstract, and character-based approaches, with special emphasis on investigations with analog materiality. We will experiment with a range of lens-based stop-motion animation techniques (2D down-shooter, pixilation), and digital methods (composting & keyframing in After Effects). Throughout, the emphasis will be on learning and practicing the fundamentals of animation timing, audio-visual design compositional principles, and pre-production methods for developing concepts and stories especially geared to animation. A series of collaborative, practical animated media projects will be supplemented by discussions of theoretical readings, screenings, and technical workshops.