3D Animation

The 40 Week 3D Animation Program is a four quarter cohort program.

Required Courses

ANIM—310: 3D Animation 1 – Essentials (5)
Animation 1 covers the essential concepts of 3D digital modeling and animation. In the class, students develop a basic understanding of Maya's user interface and navigational tools. Basic techniques in modeling, texturing, animation and rendering are taught, as is 3D lighting and camera movement. Techniques to improve workflow in a production pipeline are also covered. Prerequisites: MOGR—301 Fundamentals of Digital Imaging; ANIM—320 Drawing for Animation.

ANIM—320: Drawing for Animation (5)
Drawing for Animation covers the basic principles of drawing and animation along with pre-production practices that can be applied to traditional or computer animation. Using hand drawn techniques, students explore animation concepts and the physics of real-world objects. They develop the ability to create the illusion of movement through effective use of timing and spacing.

ANIM—330: Life Drawing & Anatomy (5)
Life Drawing & Anatomy introduces students to the drawing of the human form for animation. Class time is a combination of studio drawing and anatomy lectures. Formal drawing elements are reviewed and then used to break down the muscular-skeletal system into basic geometric forms. Light and shadow are examined as they relate to defining volume in the human figure. Prerequisite: ANIM—320 Drawing for Animation.

ANIM—410: 3D Animation II - Modeling & Texturing (5)
3D Animation II provides an in-depth study of modeling 3D geometry, this course includes polygonal, spline and subdivision surface modeling techniques. The creation and application of texture maps is also covered. Emphasis is placed on construction of appropriate topography and optimization of geometry. Students learn UV mapping and unwrapping and produce displacement maps and procedural and bitmap textures to define shader properties. Prerequisites: ANIM—310 3D Animation I – Essentials; ANIM—320 Drawing for Animation; ANIM—330 Life Drawing & Anatomy; ANIM—420 Character Development & Animation (or taken concurrently).

ANIM—411: 3D Animation III - Rigging and Animation (5)
3D Animation III focuses on a variety of techniques to set-up, rig and animate 3D characters. We will discuss binding and weighting the geometry as well as inverse and forward kinematics for animating the skeletons. The use of deformers and blend shapes as animation tools will also be covered. Prerequisites: ANIM—410 3D Animation II - Modeling & Texturing; PROD—351 Acting for Non-actors; ANIM—420 Character Development & Animation.

ANIM—420: Character Development & Animation (5)
Character Development & Animation builds on principles learned in ANIM—320 as students continue to develop drawing skills as they explore character development and animation. They develop model sheets and work on staging and conceptual storytelling. Students work to bring characters to life as they act through the characters while animating sequences. Prerequisites: ANIM—320 Drawing for Animation, ANIM—310 3D Animation 1 - Essentials, PROD—351 Acting for Non-actors (or taken concurrently).

ANIM—421: Animation Storyboarding (5)
Animation Storyboarding is an exploration into the art of animation storyboarding. Emphasis is placed on storytelling, staging and blocking, and camera placement to create either production or presentation storyboards. Story arc, time, place, and character are conveyed through the development of advanced drawing skills. Industry standard materials, techniques and quality will be stressed. Prerequisites: SCWR—305 Writing the Short Script ANIM—420 Character Development & Animation.

CSFA—301: Language of Film (5)
Language of Film provides an overview of film analysis through a study of basic elements of film structure including cinematography, editing, composition set design, color, and sound and the ways in which each contributes to a film’s meaning.

CSFA—305: History of Animation & Motion Graphics (5)
History of Animation & Motion Graphics provides a broad survey of the subject from its beginnings to the present. The class begins with early experimental films and Winsor McCay’s popular animated sequences and progresses to the work of Disney and Saul Bass and to the birth of CGI and Pixar. The class finishes with the current work of 3D studios and new media. Prerequisite CSFA—301 Language of Film.

MOGR—301: Fundamentals of Digital Imaging (5)
Fundamentals of Digital Imaging provides an introduction to the basics of creating and manipulating bitmap and vector images, students are familiarized with the user interfaces and basic tool sets of Photoshop and Illustrator. Masking, selections, and color correction are also covered. Students learn to apply these skills to the development of on-screen projects.

MOGR—460: Rendering and Compositing (5)
Managing Maya's render layers and passes for use in compositing is addressed in this class. Compositing techniques and aesthetics within compositing software are then explored as well as applying effects, titling, and the integration of 3D objects into live action footage. Prerequisite: 3D Animation III (or taken concurrently).

PROD—321: Production 1 (5)
Production 1 provides an introduction to the basic elements of camera operation and lighting with specific attention to the fundamentals of exposure and control of the image and provides an overview of the entire production process. Students complete two short individual projects and one small group project on Super 8 film. Concurrent Enrollment: PROD—341.

PROD—341: Fundamentals of Editing (5)
Fundamentals of Editing provides an introduction to the art, theory, and craft of editing with detailed attention to the entire conceptual process from storyboarding to the final version. Students also gain practical experience and hands-on instruction in editing programs and edit all projects produced in Production I. Concurrent Enrollment: PROD—321.

PROD—351: Acting for Non-Actors (5)
Acting for Non-Actors introduces the fundamental skills and techniques of acting. It focuses on training the non-actor to express emotions, thoughts, and attitudes through gesture and body language. Students participate in in-class skits and performances.

PROD—463: Senior Project (5)
Senior Project provides the context for students to engage in a capstone project. Students develop either individual or collaborative work that demonstrates their cumulative skill-set and interests. Students also focus on developing a quality reel consisting of their best work and additional new work. Prerequisites: Completion of at least 75 upper division credits for the BA in Film.

PROD—489: Professional Practices (5)
Professional Practices bridges the gap between the film student and the working professional. Emphasis is on standard business practices as well as consolidating a body of work in a manner that best expresses the student’s abilities. Special attention is given to client interaction, appropriate portfolio preparation, and the development of contacts within the industry. Freelance guidelines, professional business practices, contract negotiation, and budgeting are also covered. Prerequisites: Completion of at least 45 upper division credits for the BA in Film.

PROD—495: Special Topics (5)
Special Topics focuses on detailed investigations of new or emerging aspects of new media, film/digital production, television, and/or distribution and exhibition with active participation of visiting faculty and specialists.

SCWR—305: Writing the Short Script (5)
Writing the Short Script covers idea development, writing techniques, and formats that are appropriate for short projects and specifically addresses differences between shorts and features. During the class, students write and rewrite their own scripts throughout the course and develop a personal portfolio of material for use in program productions.

Elective

The Professional Internship Program (1-6) is open, as an elective, to all students who have completed at least 80 upper division credits for the BA in Film. Students are encouraged to use the program as a way of focusing and developing their career in the areas of producing that they are specifically interested in pursuing. The Professional Internship Program is managed through Career Services at Seattle Film Institute. Students, with program permission, may register for PROD—481.