Course Name (short): Digital Char Methodology 2
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
With an emphasis on performance, this course concentrates on timing, character and personality. Animation principles and procedures are applied to a CG figure during the production of the second semester¿s directed project (ANIM 51132).

Typical Instructional Format

Courses may be offered in other formats.

Section I Notes: N/A

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

 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:

-  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.

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.

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.