Sheridan Course Outlines

ANIM55468
Digital Character Methodology 2

I: Administrative Information II: Course Details III: Topical Outline(s) Printable Version

Section I: Administrative Information

Total hours: 84.0
Credit Value: 6.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Winter 2009
Prerequisites: (ANIM53650)
Corequisites: ANIM51132, ARTS53563, SYST54941
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Comp Animation-Dig Char An
Program Coordinator(s): Mark Simon
Course Leader or Contact: Mark Simon
Version: 3.0
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
With an emphasis on performance, this course concentrates on personality, character and timing. Animation principles and procedures are applied to a CG figure during the production of the second semester directed project. Again, the animator¿s vocabulary of motion continues to develop through interactive lecture, discussion, and demonstration to further emphasize motion and performance principles. In the process of producing a short film at this time, it is the intention that experienced computer animators will up grade their skills and portfolios by breaking bad habits and applying proper full animation principles to their new work.

Program Context

Comp Animation-Dig Char An

Program Coordinator: Mark Simon

This is an advanced course necessary for the understanding of animation principles and methodologies essential to the creation of quality computer animation. These principles are reflected in the short film produced in ANIM 50488 Directed Project this semester.

Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

 Critical Performance

By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the 
ability to apply primary principles of animation and convincing 
character performance used in industry to their computer animated 
projects.

Learning Outcomes

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated 
the ability to:
            
1.  Utilize CG animation terminology and methodologies. 
2.  Achieve believable timing 
3.  Implement full animation principles for a short CG animated film 
4.  Thumbnail, block out and animate a convincing character
    performance 
5.  Believable character attitude and emotion
6.  Convincing character motivation
7.  Character thought process
8.  Believable creature animation and interaction
9.  Advanced lip sync where necessary
10. Complete all assignments within a given time frame.
11. Exhibit professional attitudes and behavior including:
    ¿ acceptance of differing viewpoints
    ¿ willingness to work collaboratively
    ¿ willingness to be self directed and pro-active in learning

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

Evaluation Plan

Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

-  Mid Term 	
   - All camera moves animated            10  %
   - All animation fully blocked out      45  %
-  Final completed animation              45  %
Total                                     100 %

Group critiques or progress reports known as "weeklies" are scheduled 
for this term as well as "in lab" sessions.  Attendance will be taken 
each week.

NOTE:  A late penalty of 10% per day will be applied to all overdue
assignments.  Special considerations may be given, at the discretion 
of the faculty, to late assignments with legitimate medical or
compassionate grounds.  In such cases, students must obtain prior
approval from the course instructor.  In case of emergencies, students
must contact the instructor in writing immediately.  The instructor 
will make the final decision on whether a late assignment will be 
accepted.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

	Communication		Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	X	Interpersonal
	Numeracy		Information Management		Personal

Notes: N/A

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) : Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

Challenge Exam	Portfolio	Interview	Other	Not Eligible for PLAR
				X

Notes: N/A

Section III: Topical Outline

Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Effective term: Winter 2009
Professor: Mark Simon
Textbook(s):

All students will be expected to take notes in class.  It will be 
suggested that students purchase a copy of the following books:

- The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston
- How to Animate Film Cartoons by Preston Blair  
- The Animator¿s Survival Book by Richard Williams

Several examples of classical and computer animated and live action 
films will be shown in class to illustrate the principles being 
presented.

Applicable student group(s): Students of Computer Animation - Digital Character Animation
Course Details:

The nature of this course does not allow for a fixed list of topics 
as they will be driven by new information and student interest.

- continuous reviews and referrals to the principles of animation as 
  they relate to applied physics movement - squash & stretch, slow in 
  and out, timing (action), arcs, anticipation, exaggeration, 
  secondary action, follow through & overlapping action
- physical  and elemental timing
- staging, appeal
- believable weight , suggestion of mass and inertia
- further character development - convincing  character performance, 
  personality expressed through action, eye movement and tracking, 
  character timing		
- pushing personal learning outcomes i.e. ¿Are you pushing your 
  personal 
  boundaries? Are you raising the bar as to the work you have done 
  before?¿
- staying with planned production schedule and production timelines - 
  when to change and modify?

In this class the material learned in all courses will be woven 
together for the production of a final animated project which will be 
completed during this semester.  This class will also function to 
critique, track and problem solve the project with close interaction 
with the instructor and with the students peers in weekly forums.

Faculty and students work together in a cooperative way to ensure an 
effective learning environment. Students are expected to share their 
expertise and experience with each other to enhance the learning of 
all students. 

This course offers ample opportunity for one on one consultation 
between faculty and students for individual time and attention to 
their projects.

Sheridan Policies

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Academic Integrity: The principle of academic integrity requires that all work submitted for evaluation and course credit be the original, unassisted work of the student. Cheating or plagiarism including borrowing, copying, purchasing or collaborating on work, except for group projects arranged and approved by the professor, or otherwise submitting work that is not the student's own, violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic integrity are advised to review the Academic Integrity Policy and procedure and/or discuss them with the professor.

Copyright: A majority of the course lectures and materials provided in class and posted in SLATE are protected by copyright. Use of these materials must comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, Use of Copyright Protected Work Policy and Student Code of Conduct. Students may use, copy and share these materials for learning and/or research purposes provided that the use complies with fair dealing or an exception in the Copyright Act. Permission from the rights holder would be necessary otherwise. Please note that it is prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote. It is also prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own or your own work with the intent to assist others in cheating on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote.

Intellectual Property: Sheridan's Intellectual Property Policy generally applies such that students own their own work. Please be advised that students working with external research and/or industry collaborators may be asked to sign agreements that waive or modify their IP rights. Please refer to Sheridan's IP Policy and Procedure.

Respectful Behaviour: Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that supports academic achievement by respecting the dignity, self-esteem and fair treatment of every person engaged in the learning process. Behaviour which is inconsistent with this principle will not be tolerated. Details of Sheridan's policy on Harassment and Discrimination, Academic Integrity and other academic policies are available on the Sheridan policy website.

Accessible Learning: Accessible Learning coordinates academic accommodations for students with disabilities. For more information or to register, please see the Accessible Learning website (Statement added September 2016)

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Any changes to course curriculum and/or assessment shall adhere to approved Sheridan protocol. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.

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