CM480 Topics in Media Studies
Video Animation

Instructor:      Kurt Paulsen    Office CC 144   507-344-7732   kpaulsen@blc.edu

Texts:          The Animation Book. Kit Laybourne. ISBN 0-517-88602-2

Overview:       In CM480, students will study the various techniques of physical animation. Learning will be focused on two areas, production and criticism. The production will take the form of various short animation projects. Criticism will occur through viewing significant works from the long history of animation and gauging their emotional and cognitive effectiveness.

   
Materials:    Throughout the course there will be a need for props and set pieces. Most of these will be handmade. Most of it can be done for free, but there may be some small expenses associated with your projects.

Goals of the course:
Through this course you should become better able to…
•    Identify the different techniques of animation and their historic significance.
•    Understand how those techniques can be used to create beauty, affect emotions, persuade, and otherwise impact the viewer in ways tradition methods cannot.
•    Appreciate the accomplishments (and the flaws) of your own work as well the work from professional animators.
•    Employ the technology necessary to create moving images.
•    Appreciate the ethical responsibilities of the visual communicator
•    Imagine a “visual Word,” bringing the Gospel to today’s eye-oriented generation
•    Connect your personal goals to the mission of Bethany Lutheran College
Here are the Communication program competencies most directly addressed in this class:
1...understands the challenges involving information and communication in the 21st century
3...is knowledgeable regarding operating procedures of the various communication media
4...is aware of the history, economics, and social significance of the various communication media
7...is familiar with technology
8...is thoughtful and critical
9...is ethical
10...can deal with complexities
11...is a problem-solver
12...can collaborate

Course procedures
Class time will be divided between viewings, discussion, and production technique instruction. Readings will be assigned to support the viewings and technique processes.

Basis for Grades:
•    Papers  (30%)
•    Studio projects, demonstrations, productions, and reports (70%)
Attendance and participation are grading factors

Assignment Overview:
•    Stop motion basics – animating objects
•    Pixilation – animating people
•    Time Lapse – capturing the world
•    Midterm Paper (Artist Statement)
•    Hand-drawn animation – complete freedom of form
•    Stop Motion Puppetry – an artificial world
•    Digital Cutout/Collage animation – The digital process
•    Animator Research Paper


Some of the Animators Covered in Class:
Norman McLaren
Jan Svankmejer
Jiri Barta
Jiri Trnka
Nick Park
Henry Selick
Naoyuki Tsuji
Ladislaw Starevicz
The Brothers Quay
The Bolex Brothers
Mark Osborne
Will Vinton Studios
Ray Harryhausen
Tim Burton
Walt Disney Studios