Detailed Description
This course provides students with a general introduction to stop
motion animation. Students explore the historical and theoretical
significance of the medium, and engage in practical learning
activities associated with creating stop motion animation. They
continue to build on the fundamentals of animation encouraged in
earlier semesters, as they strive to create an effective illusion of
life. Students develop and refine these fundamentals through the
animation of physical, three-dimensional puppets. Additional
investigation into related factors such as effective camera
placement, dynamic blocking of action, considerations of effective
lighting techniques, strong emotional expression through puppet
movements, and problem-solving for production requirements is also
conducted. Through interactive lectures, discussions, and
demonstrations, students examine various historical and theoretical
approaches to the medium. Further, through extensive tactile
exploration, students gain knowledge of the processes involved in the
art of stop motion animation.
Program Context
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Bachelor of Animation |
Program Coordinator: Angela Stukator |
This required course reflects
continuity, integration and
balance through the other
streams, and reflects the
complexity and logic of the
design of the BAA (Animation)
Program. While developing
specific skills that will
prepare students for
employment in the stop motion
industry, this course also
serves to connect to the
larger program. For example,
through its exploration of
such areas as: anticipation,
slow-in and slow-out,
movement arcs, secondary
action, follow through, and
other basic laws of physics,
this course bridges strongly
with the Animation stream. A
strong bridge to the Digital
stream also exists, as this
course investigates areas of
three-dimensional concern
such as: rigging, armatures,
textures, camera concerns,
and lighting.
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Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
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Critical Performance
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the
ability to combine a broad range of stop motion animation principles,
techniques, and theories in order to create a sustained, believable,
and emotionally effective illusion of life through the animation of a
humanoid puppet.
Learning Outcomes
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated
the ability to:
1. Implement health and safety requirements necessary in a stop
motion studio space.
2. Utilize appropriate computer software effectively.
3. Animate a full range of basic movements and expressions with a
humanoid stop motion puppet, including a walk.
4.Summarize a range of historical styles and approaches to the medium.
5. Discriminate between various landmark works within the history of
stop motion animation.
6. Analyze the appeal and believability of established characters
that reflect the principles of stop motion animation.
7. Solve specific production problems that occur during stop motion
production.
8. Assess the animation potential within a variety of stop motion
puppet armatures.
9. Describe a variety of camera terms and concepts that apply to
visual story telling.
10. Complete a basic lighting set-up, using physical lights and a
physical subject.
11. Incorporate simple props effectively into stop motion animation.
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Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
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3 In-class Animation Assignments x 10% each 30%
Armature Assignment 10%
Lighting Assignment 10%
In-Class ¿Walking Puppet¿ Assignment 25%
Essay 15%
Learning Journal 10%
Total 100%
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Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:
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Essential Employability
Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:
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Communication
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Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
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Interpersonal
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Numeracy |
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Information
Management |
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Personal
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Notes: N/A
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact: Christopher Walsh
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement
of the course learning outcomes through previous life and work experiences.
This course is eligible for challenge through the following
method(s):
Challenge Exam |
Portfolio |
Interview |
Other |
Not Eligible for PLAR |
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X |
X |
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Notes: N/A
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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 2008
Professor: Christopher Walsh
Textbook(s): Shaw, S. (2003). Stop Motion: Craft Skills For Model Animation
Applicable student group(s): Students in the BAA Animation Program
Course Details:TOPIC
Week 1
TOPIC
Introduction to the Course and Participants - Interactive Lecture
Distribution and Discussion of Course Outline
Requirements and Expectations for Students and Faculty - Interactive
Screening
Guidelines for Studio Procedures
Discussion
Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 7, 8
Session Topics, Concerns, and Theories
In-class Activity
A Definition of Stop Motion Animation
The Importance of Performance
Reading for next week TBA
Orientation For Studio and Equipment
Work Flow Procedures For Studio Animation
Studio Safety
Handout Course Otuline
Interaction Between Animator, Puppet, and Technology
Studio
Preliminary Efforts At Stop Motion Animation
Handout for "Learning Journal"
Handout for all Assignments
In-class Critique
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
Handout Course Outline
Handout For ¿Learning Journal¿
Handout For All Assignments
In-Class Critique
Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 7, 8
Session Topics, Concerns, and Theories
A Definition of Stop Motion Animation
The Importance of Performance
Orientation For Studio and Equipment
Work Flow Procedures For Studio Animation
Studio Safety
Interaction Between Animator, Puppet, and Technology
Studio
Preliminary Efforts At Stop Motion Animation
Week 2 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
Puppets As Performers
The Role Of The Animator In The Performance
Historical Overview of Stop Motion Puppets
Puppet Genesis 1- The Significance of Armatures
Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Proper Puppet Handling and Care
Studio
Assignment of Animator To Puppet
Exploration of Puppet Armature
Exploration of Materiality of Puppet
Introductory Animation- Arm Wave
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
In-Class Critique
Week 3 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
Who¿s In Control?- The Struggle Between Puppet and Animator
Three Dimensions- X, Y, and Z Axis in Stop Motion
Gravity 1- A Force Within The Stop Motion Realm
The Significance of Simple and Controlled Movements
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Studio
In-Class Animation Assignment #1- Animating Upper Half of Puppet Body
Evaluation
In-Class Animation Assignment #1- Animating Upper Half of Puppet Body
(10%)
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
Week 4 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
European Animation- Reiniger, Starevich, Trnka, Svankmajer
Historical Roots of European Stop Motion
Design vs. Function- What Makes A Puppet ¿Good¿?
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Studio
Controlled Animation of Puppet
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Handout on European Animation
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
In-Class Critique
Week 5
Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 7, 8
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
Learning Journals 1- A Place For Externalizing, Synthesizing, and
Personalizing Stop Motion Learning
Technical and Logistical Concern - Problem Solving Under Pressure
Hand In- Armature Assignment
Puppet Genesis 2- Alternative Armatures and Resulting Animation
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Studio
Animation of Armature Assignment
Evaluation
Armature Assignment (10%)
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
Week 6
Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
North American Animation- O¿Brien, Harryhausen, Tippett
Realism in Stop Motion Animation
Acting For Realistic Stop Motion Animation
Gravity 2- A Force Within The Stop Motion Realm
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Props- Challenges and Constraints
Studio
Animation Involving A Prop- Lifting A Heavy Box
Interactive Lecture
Handout on North American Animation
Interactive Screening
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
In-Class Critique
Week 7 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
Aardman Animation- The Thinking Puppet
Animating Clay- Challenges, Constraints, Benefits
The Psychology of The Performance
Performance Through Facial Animation
The Dope Sheet As A Tool For Stop Motion Animation
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Studio
Animation Involving Facial Expressions, Using Dope Sheets
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
In-Class Critique
Week 8 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 7
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
Learning Journals 2- A Place For Externalizing, Synthesizing, and
Personalizing Stop Motion Learning
The Balance Between Empathy and Critical Observation
Acting It Out- The Confidence To Perform
Professional Studio Production Work Flow
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Studio
In-Class Animation Assignment #2- Animating Entire Puppet Body
Evaluation
In-Class Animation Assignment #2- Animating Entire Puppet Body (10%)
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
Week 9 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
The Camera- Technological Considerations For Stop Motion
The Camera- Creating Visual Narrative Meaning Through Cognitive
Assembly
The Lens- Technical Principles And Their Impact On Visual Narrative
The Camera As The Character- Subjective Use of The Stop Motion Camera
Directing Through The Camera
The Magic Projector (By Christopher Walsh)- Directing The Stop Motion
Camera
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Street Of Crocodiles (By The Brothers Quay)-Camera as Living Character
Studio
Towards Directing- Animation That Explores the Interplay Between
Puppet and Camera
Evaluation
Essay Due (15%)
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Handout on Camera Technology and Camera Theory
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
In-Class Critique
Week 10 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
The Nightmare Before Christmas- The Sophistication of Lighting For
Stop Motion
The Psychology of Light In Visual Story Telling
The Basic Stop Motion Lighting Set Up- A Practical Approach
Studio
Practical Exploration of Lighting For Stop Motion- Small Groups
Workshop
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Discussion
Handout On Lighting Assignment
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
In-Class Critique
Week 11 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
Advanced Concepts In Stop Motion: Intro To Rigging, Blue Screen,
Particle and Light Effects, Clean Up
Working With Post Production Requirements In Mind
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Studio
Animation of Entire Puppet Body-Preparing For Week 13 Assignment
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
In-Class Critique
Week 12
Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
Contemporary Stop Motion- Web Based Work
From Concept To Screen- Production Management For The Stop Motion
Short Film
Keep It Simple- Creating A Project That Is ¿Doable¿
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Hand In-Lighting Assignment
Studio
Animation of Entire Puppet Body- Preparing For Week 13 Assignment
Evaluation
Lighting Assignment Due
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
Discussion
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
In-Class Critique
Week 13 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
Studio Expectations- A Day In The Life of A Professional Studio
Animator
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Studio
In-Class ¿Walking Puppet¿ Assignment
Evaluation
In-Class ¿Walking Puppet¿ Assignment (25%)
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
In-Class Activity
Reading For Next Week TBA
Week 14 Targeted Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11
Session Topics, Concepts, and Theories
Hand In Learning Journal
Learning Journal- Final Discussion of Assignment
Towards A Personal Aesthetic Of Stop Motion
Final Feedback Session
Celebration
Further Application of Animation Principles To Puppets
Studio
In-Class Animation Assignment #3-Emoting Through Puppet And Prop
Evaluation
Learning Journal
In-Class Animation Assignment #3-Emoting Through Puppet And Prop
Interactive Lecture
Interactive Screening
In-Class Activity
Academic Honesty
The principle of academic honesty 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 faculty member, or otherwise submitting work that is not
the student's own violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Instances of academic dishonesty, including
assisting another student to cheat, will be penalized as detailed in the Student Handbook.
Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic
honesty are advised to discuss them with the faculty member prior to submitting the assignment in question.
Discrimination and Harassment
Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that respects 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 are available in the Student Handbook.
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