Multimedia Studies Spring 2013

MMST 151 Animation I: Illustration & Cartoons

INTRODUCTION
Prerequisite: MMST 112 Design I: Fundamentals, is strongly advised. Objective:

This course will focus on using Adobe Flash, Illustrator, and Photoshop to illustrate and animate cartoons. Through class assignments, discussion and exercises you will learn how to use current digital tools and techniques to develop and create animated sequences as part of a finished, two-dimensional animated short for your final film.
Overview:

This course is a full semester course that includes both lectures and hands-on computer lab sessions. The lectures and practice sessions will focus on animation strategies, varied drawing techniques using Adobe Flash, and Illustrator to create characters, and Photoshop for textures, and backgrounds. Finally, exporting methods will be outlined for publishing options of current and future Flash content.
To Begin:

First, use the MyCOM Portal to access the Distance Education page (login to the MyCOM Student Portal* and click on the Distance Education tab). Then select 11313.201310 [MMST-151-010] from My Courses. This is where all materials, due dates, emergency info, and updates will be posted. Glance at the Weekly Outline, under Week 1 and download Project 1 handout by clicking on the link, then in the new window CNTRL or Right Mouse click and choose Save PDF As to your Thumb Drive or the Desktop. *If you do not have a login/password, this is your homework BEFORE the next class. Second, gather all materials required for class. Recommended textbooks can be purchased online (particularly used textbooks of older versions like CS4). Some new titles may not be available at the beginning of class. Use the links provided on the syllabus to determine availability. Third, this is a learning environment for each participant to gain knowledge in a cooperative and supportive manner. Make an effort to find the solution for yourself and your classmatesthe more we share, the more we can all learn and benefit from each other during this class. In closing, your time and input are extremely valuable. The projects in this class are the direct result of student input. It is what I, and other MMST faculty, use to keep the projects and classes relevant, fun, and challenging. You may submit the comments in any manner you feel most comfortable, this includes anonymous input. I greatly appreciate your suggestions and feedback. GRADING PERCENTAGE of FINAL GRADE
Project 1 10% Project 2 20% Project 3 15% Project 4 15% Final Project 25% Participation 15%

LETTER GRADES
F 0-62 D 63-65 D+ 66-72 C 73-75 C+ 76-79 B80-82 B 83-85 B+ 86-89 A90-94 A 95+

MMST 151 Section #11313 in MB 129, IVC: M/W 1:10 3:30 pm Instructor: Derek Wilson derek.wilson@marin.edu (415) 457-8811 x8255 IVC Office, MB 210: MW 99:30 am; 3:304 pm (in MB 129); and 6:307:30 pm

Multimedia Studies Spring 2013

MMST 151 Animation I: Illustration & Cartoons

SYLLABUS
Class Guidelines

You must be registered to attend classes, NO EXCEPTIONS. Adherence to ALL College of Marin Campus Policies as listed in the current Spring 2013 Schedule of Classes and 2012-2013 College of Marin Catalog Be respectful and considerate of all other participants in class When in doubt, attend all sessions and always ASK questions
Expectations for a High Grade (B or Higher)

Attend ALL classes, and avoid being late Turn in MORE work then is requested for assignments (see Project Grading Sheets) Participate in critiques, volunteer CONSTRUCTIVE criticism to classmates A minimum of 3-5 hours per week is expected OUTSIDE of class time All assignments are due at the BEGINNING of class, unless otherwise noted Assignments NOT turned in at beginning of class, will be considered LATE Assignments will NOT be accepted after 3 class sessions past the due date LATE assignments will be lowered 10% for each class session late All work should be FINISHED, not work in progress This is a DESIGN class, and you will be graded based upon your creativity Construct and apply custom assets for illustration and animation Recognize and distinguish the appropriate uses of standard and custom fonts Evaluate and arrange characters and themes to convey a story or message Employ sound with dynamic content to enhance the story, message or concept Compare cycles of movement as demonstrated with course material Identify interactive content through practice and construction of course material Define intended and future use of all course material *See Project 1 Handout with Grading Rubric table on second page.

Student Learning Outcome Expectations*

Required Materials

Access to a computer outside of class time with Adobe CS5, or CS4 installed. A USB Thumb drive, and CD-Rs for transferring and backing up files. Sketch pad or blank paper 8" x 10" or 8.5" x 11"no lined paper!
Recommended Textbooks & Materials

1] How to Cheat in Adobe Flash CS6: The Art of Design & Animation by Focal Press 2] Adobe Flash CS6: Visual Quickstart Guide by Peachpit Press or... the Adobe Flash Users Manual and Adobe Online Help 3] Advanced Adobe Flash CS5: Visual QuickPro Guide*by Peachpit Press for examples of Action Script 3.0 4] Adobe Illustrator CS6: Visual Quickstart Guide by Peachpit Press or... the Adobe Illustrator Users Manual and Adobe Online Help 5] Adobe Photoshop CS6: Visual Quickstart Guide by Peachpit Press or... the Adobe Photoshop Users Manual and Adobe Online Help 6] http://www.Lynda.com for specific software training (online tutorials) *CS6 version is not yet available.

MMST 151 Section #11313 in MB 129, IVC: M/W 1:10 3:30 pm Instructor: Derek Wilson derek.wilson@marin.edu (415) 457-8811 x8255 IVC Office, MB 210: MW 99:30 am; 3:304 pm (in MB 129); and 6:307:30 pm

Multimedia Studies Spring 2013

MMST 151 Animation I: Illustration & Cartoons

151 PROJECTS
Project 1 Dialogue Sound and Sketches Project 1

Using the links provided, choose and download a dialogue from a Movie or TV show, then import the sound file into flash. Present the Flash file in class. Turn in a COPY of your mouth shape sketches (facing. Profile or three-quarter view). Create the mouth shapes in Flash from your sketches, then synch these shapes to match the dialogue sound file using the Swap or Nesting methods. Use a static shape or body as the host for the mouth, and a plain or static background. Focus on the lip synching. Create a character reference sheet with static and animated features (i.e. poses, walking, flapping wings, swishing tail, etc.). Also provide a character reference sheet that illustrates the sequence of your characters walking movement(s) to animate. Animate a walking sequence with a moving background for one or more characters. Include eye blinks and moving elements like hair or clothes. The sequence may loop, but create a seamless loop or a clear beginning to end sequence to clarify your idea. Sound may be added, but is not required. Storyboard of animated title and credit sequences. Present your ideas and sketches, and turn in a COPY of the Project 3 storyboard. Using the text tools, masking, filters, and other Motion Tween techniques, create an opening title sequence for your animated short. In addition, generate a credit sequence that will include any sounds or music used. Credits may use placeholder text in P3 only. Present an updated storyboard of elements to be added and used for your animated short, including any Code Snippets. This storyboard can be a revised version, but must include new elements for the final animation. Present additional and revised elements, including sounds and interactivity. These can be a series of scene segments, screen tests, or trailer jump cuts. Spoiler Alert: Please avoid showing too much, save some for the premiere on Monday, May 20th! Submit a written outline of specific problems or topics to review, and what assistance (if any) you are requesting. This will be compiled with all students requests to address as many problems as possible before the final presentation. Remaining time will consist of sign-ups for individual and group assistance in class. You will design, create and develop a working Flash animated short to post on your own website, YouTube, or other public site. The Final must be completenot a work in-progress, reflect an entire semester of work, and what you have presented in this class.

Project 2 Character Sheets

Project 2

Project 3 Storyboard Project 3

Project 4 Storyboard

Project 4

Final Project Status Report and Written Help Requests

Final Project

MMST 151 Section #11313 in MB 129, IVC: M/W 1:10 3:30 pm Instructor: Derek Wilson derek.wilson@marin.edu (415) 457-8811 x8255 IVC Office, MB 210: MW 99:30 am; 3:304 pm (in MB 129); and 6:307:30 pm

Multimedia Studies Spring 2013

MMST 151 Animation I: Illustration & Cartoons

151 CLASS SCHEDULE

Week 1 Overview of class objectives, expectations, and resources. Introduction to Flash: document set-up, FPS (Frames-Per-Second), the timeline and basic animation. Importing sound files. Begin work on Project 1. Mouth shapes, lip-synching and timing. Using Onion-skinning, Swap & Nesting. No class Monday. Campus closed Monday (1/21). Project 1 Sketches and Flash file due Wednesday. Using Flash and/or Illustrator for drawing and creating basic content. Classic Tweens and the Motion Editor for animation. Importing Illustrator and Photoshop as layers. Project 1 due Wednesday. Turn in *.fla and *.swf files Free Transform tool and Hinging character (body) parts. Intro to the Bone Tool and (inverse Kinematics). Project 2 Character Sheets due Wednesday. The Bones tool for character rigging (cursing) and movement. Graphic Symbols vs. Movie Clips, Parents, Children and the Timeline. No class Monday. Campus closed Friday-Monday (2/15-2/18). Simplification of complex moving characters using Nested MovieClips. Project 2 due Monday. Turn in *.fla and *.swf files. Animated techniques using Masking, Color Effects, Filters, and 3D View. Using Classic & TLF text in Flash: Static, Dynamic, and Input text. Project 3 Storyboard due Wednesday. Special FX techniques for text in Flash using default or custom Motion Presets. Creating a multi-plane camera (or Parallax) of backgrounds for implied depth. Project 3 due Monday. Turn in *.fla and *.swf files. Importing video into Flash Roger Rabbit stories or roto-scoping the footage. Sound settings, and Exporting Flash content as static images or Video. Project 4 Storyboard due Wednesday. Brushes and painting: the Spray Brush, the Deco Tool, gradients and patterns. Traditional animation with digital tools or frame-by-frame cell animation. Spring Break. Campus closed Monday-Sunday (4/8 - 4/14). Project 4 due Monday. Turn in *.fla and *.swf files. Intro to Flash ActionScript and why you should care. Basic timeline control using Flash ActionScript and Code Snippets. Creating static-based, and animated/dynamic buttons. Resources for working with beginning Action Script 3.0. Final Status Report due Wednesday. Turn in a PDF. Publishing your Flash animation in other formats other than SWF. Optimizing for posting and uploading Published Flash content. Last week of classes and lab sessions. Review material and assistance as needed for final project. FINAL DUE: Monday, May 20th at 11 am sharp! No class Wednesday. Final Animated Short premiere and critique. Present and turn in FINISHED Flash Animation (final *.FLAs and *.SWFs). Any project received after class presentations begin will be considered late. No projects accepted after 1 pmno exceptions.

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14

Week 15

Week 16 Week 17 Week 18

MMST 151 Section #11313 in MB 129, IVC: M/W 1:10 3:30 pm Instructor: Derek Wilson derek.wilson@marin.edu (415) 457-8811 x8255 IVC Office, MB 210: MW 99:30 am; 3:304 pm (in MB 129); and 6:307:30 pm