Course Name (short): Digital Char Project Pre-Prod
School: All Sheridan Schools
Program(s): Comp Animation-Dig Char An
Program Coordinator(s): Mark Simon
Course Leader or Contact: Mark Simon
Originator: Paulette Geffros
Designate: Paulette Geffros
Version: 3.0
Status: Approved (APPR)

Calendar Description
This course focuses on the principles of visual and cinematic language, design problem solving and practical approaches to design methodologies specific to computer animation applications. Through a project basis, the issues of composition, continuity, content, style and the role that technology plays in the design process are explored.

Typical Instructional Format

Courses may be offered in other formats.

Section I Notes: N/A

Detailed Description
This course focuses on all aspects of the pre-production process from visual design and story development through to practical approaches of film production as it relates to a character driven computer animated short. Through a project basis, the issues of composition, content, style, and the role of a strong character animated persona are explored. Emphasis is put on the practical aspects of design including art direction and storyboard presentation. Development of storyboards and animatics become the foundation for the finished animation film to be completed in the Digital Character Directed Project ANIM51132 in second semester.

Program Context

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

1.  Apply the principles of cinematic language to CG animated project
2.  Develop a planned approach to the execution of an animated short
3.  Crystallize their ideas in a tangible form (Script, storyboard, 
    animatic, schedule, etc.)
4.  Communicate ideas and concepts visually to an audience
5.  Develop ideas for effective animated shorts enabling the 
    exploration of story and character development
6.  Art direct the design of an appealing character and environment
7.  Demonstrate a knowledge of film direction, editing and a sense of
    filmic timing
8.  Produce creative solutions to problems that present themselves
9.  Organize and reality check their project
10. Demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviour including:
    a.	Openness to peer critiques
    b.	Acceptance of differing view points
    c.	Willingness to work collaboratively
    d.	Commitment to meeting project due dates
    e.	Willingness to be self directed

Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
Treatment      10%
Script         10%
Storyboard     35%
Animatic       45%
TOTAL         100%

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.

Several handouts will be provided throughout the semester, alongside 
the screening of several examples of animated and live action films. 
In addition, suggested supplemental texts include:
The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson
Film Directing Shot by Shot by Steven D. Katz

Week 1-6
Module 1: Cinematic Principles - Lecture Series

Targeted learning outcomes: 1-10

Topics:	
Introduction
The Production Process
Shot Choices/Camera Angles
The Moving Camera
The Screen
Composition
Stage Line/Continuity
Storyboard Principles
Color - keys/mood
Light - keys/mood
Short Stories and Story Development  (including identifying story and 
plot types)
Animatics
	
Assignments	
Presentation of final project proposal
3 story pitches
proposed project design examples (script, character, sets, lighting 
etc.)

Week 7-13
Module 2: Directed Project Pre-production

Targeted learning outcomes: 1-10

Topics
Introduction of the Directed Project
Character Design
Group critiques
	
Assignments	
Directed Project Storyboards
Directed Project Design Package
Directed Project Animatic including rough sound tracks
      
Week 14
Assessments