Course Name (short): Capstone Anim Proj & Bus Pract
School: Animation Arts and Design
Program(s): Bachelor of Animation
Program Coordinator(s): Angela Stukator
Course Leader or Contact: Christopher Walsh
Originator: Paulette Geffros
Designate: Paulette Geffros
Version: 9.0
Status: Approved (APPR)

Calendar Description
In this capstone course, students integrate the concepts principles and theories investigated throughout the program with the applied skills refined and mastered to date in order to create an industry- standard film. Students work in a thesis-oriented environment that focuses on independent study supplemented with a master lecture series and complemented by unique workshops under the guidance of an advisor and mentoring team in order to produce an independent animated film.

Typical Instructional Format

Courses may be offered in other formats.

Section I Notes: This course consists of considerable independent student work throughout the semester with an average of two teacher contact hours per week as well as a menu of selected optional workshops and master lectures from which students can choose to participate. Students work independently under the guidance of an advisor and mentoring team.

Detailed Description
In this capstone course, students create and produce a professional, independent animated film that visually reflects their own style and artistic vision. Students work in a thesis-oriented environment that focuses on independent learning to inform their production, under the guidance of an advisor and mentoring team. This learning is supplemented with a master lecture series that includes guest speakers from the industry who are experts in the craft, and complemented by an offering of unique workshops. Specific topics include Technical Direction, Scene Analysis, Audio Components (Audio Post, Foley Recording, Dialogue Re-Recording, Interlock and Final Mix), CG Applications (Finals Sets, Textural Maps, Rendering) and DVD Encoding. In addition, students finalize their personal professional portfolio (inclusive of resume, artist statement, selected works and demo reel) for industry exhibition and presentation.

Program Context

 Critical Performance
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the 
ability to create a quality animation performance through a creative 
and professional portfolio using principles of animation, drawing, 
design, cinematic storytelling, artistic expertise and innovation. 
Students will have exhibited a personal and professional commitment 
to artistic growth and cultural literacy that conveys passion, 
confidence, a collaborative and independent spirit, refined 
communications skills, and the adaptability to work within a dynamic 
animation industry.

Learning Outcomes
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated 
the ability to:

1.  create animated sequences from development of the original
    concept through design to final film or video production;

2.  communicate ideas, believable action and emotion effectively by 
    employing the principles of animation and performance in all 
    aspects of drawing;

3.  integrate the concepts principles and theories involved in the 
    physics of animation in all aspects of drawing;

4.  refine personal narrative voice that holistically integrates the
    elements of storytelling and performance in order to actively
    engage the audience;

5.  create an animated film incorporating a range of artistic styles 
    and techniques, reflecting the principle that form follows 
    function;

6.  manage the production of an animated film, including the aspects
    of cinematography, art direction and editing, in accordance with
    the production schedule;
7.  use critical thinking skills and problem solving strategies in 
    all dimensions of development and production;
8.  communicate ideas, emotion and intent effectively in visual, 
    oral, written and auditory forms;

9.  generate work that reflects initiative, creativity, adaptability 
    and personal style;

10. create animation that incorporates the basic principles of 
    constructive anatomy and drawing using economy of expression; and 

11. incorporate technology effectively in the development of the 
    animated film project.

Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
        
Dailies (5 @ 2%)                                                         10%
Sceneworkflow Test                                                  15%
Rough Animation                                                       15%
Cleaned Animation                                                    15%
Portfolio Part A: Final Film                                       15%
Portfolio Part B: Final Portfolio with Demo Reel   30%
Total                                             100%

n/a

Mentors:
Stephen Barnes
James Caswell
Trevor Davies
Bruno Degazio
Michel Hannan
Blair Kitchen
Mark Komza
Mark Mayerson
Mark Palowich
Jason Thompson
Chris Walsh
Maury Whyte

This course has been designed in tandem with the Senior Animation 
Project course. From the story reel developed in Semester 7, students 
create a personal, independent, animated film, working through the 
production process that is reflective of industry requirements. They 
continue to work independently, with the assistance of an advisor and 
mentoring team with whom they must meet on a regular basis to confirm 
adherence to the production schedule and the completion of 
appropriate benchmark activities. Additional applied learning is also 
achieved through a series of selected lectures and workshops that the 
students elect to attend and/or those few which are designated by 
advisors. 


WEEK 1	Introduction to the Course
	Guidelines and Expectations
	Scheduling for a Short Film

WEEK 2	Pitching
	Layout Critiques for Production
	Evaluation: Dailies(2%)

WEEK 3	Stop Motion
	Evaluation: Dailies(2%)
	Rough Edit of the Demo Reel (5%)

WEEK 4	Personal Project Production
	Evaluation: Dailies(2%)

WEEK 5	CG Survival for Animatiors  CG Concepts, Principles and 
        Terminology
	Evaluation: Dailies(2%)

WEEK 6	Animation and Character Set up
	Evaluation: Dailies(2%)

WEEK 7	Self-Promotion
	Evaluation: Dailies(2%)
	Rough Animation (15%)

WEEK 8	Colour
	Evaluation: Dailies(2%)
		
WEEK 9	Cut-Out Animation 
	Evaluation: Dailies (2%)
	Promotional Package (5%)

WEEK 10	Creative Compositing Techniques
	Evaluation: Dailies (2%)
WEEK 11	Clean Up
	Evaluation: Dailies (2%)

WEEK 12	TV Series Sound Effects and Music Editing for Animation 
	Evaluation: Dailies (5%)

WEEK 13	Legal Considerations for Animators
	Portfolio Part A: Final Film (35%)

WEEK 14	Wrap Session
	Portfolio Part B: Final Portfolio with Demo Reel (15%)