DABC2013 2D ANIMATION

This course covers animation terminologies and brief history of classical animation. Using simple character forms, students will learn to apply and explore the basic principles of traditional animation, planning, timing and pacing patterns, deciding key frames and action. Other related principles like rhythm involved in drawn animation will also be covered.

Course Objective

 To develop familiarity among students with a variety of tools, methods and techniques in general animation techniques of products and services including the usage and understanding of 2D animation software.  Students’ further their technical proficiency and aesthetic awareness of creative uses of animation knowledge.  To understand & apply: character development, simple history of animation, timing and pacing patterns movement, action and rhythm of animation, animation key-frames and in-between frames and background art in 2D animation.  Emphasis is on practical knowledge. Students should be able to understand and apply animation principles taught and to produce good quality line test.

Course Learning Outcome

 Gain the basic knowledge of animation principles  Develop and applying the knowledge of animation principles in 2D animation production.  Look at abstract or experimental methods of animation (Visualization and interpretation skills)  Apply the understanding of scene planning, action breakdown, layouts, image spacing, time spacing and exposure sheet charting.

References

 Illusion of Life - Canemaker Abrams (Hyperion, New York).  Cartoon Animation - Canemaker Abrams (Hyperion, New York).  Figure & Animals in motion - Canemaker Abrams (Hyperion, New York).  Disney Animation - Canemaker Abrams (Hyperion, New York).  Cartoon Animation By Preston Blair (Walter Foster).  The Animator's Survival Kit By Richard Williams (Faber And Faber).  Timing for Animation By Harold Whitaker & John Halas (Focal Press).

Lesson 1 . Introduction and general overview of course/outline. . Getting to know students/ size up class. . Animation process, marking format, goals… . Things to get:- Flip book pads(notepad), Pencils (2B, Red & Blue), Peg Bar, Animation Paper (B4 Punched) . Books to buy (Reference text book) ‘Animator’s Survival Kit’ and ‘Timing for Animation’ . Introduction to FLIP BOOK EX.-“Making movies without camera.” . Classwork: Flip book 1 & 2 . Video – ‘Making of Snow White & Seven Dwarfs’. Lesson 2 . Hand in FLIP Book 1 . Introduction to Field Guide, Exposure Sheets (X-Sheet), Film & Video Speed. . Line Animation Ex. Flipbook Extension on A4 Animation Paper. Minimum 62 pages (5 sec shot on 2’s) . Hook up into music video. . Select suitable music (s/track) to cut in by next week. . Read up on X-Sheet - Animator Survival’s Kit (Pg. 70-73) - Timing for Animation (Pg. 24-25) Lesson 3 . Introduction to LINE TEST – DEMO. . Student’s hand on line testing. . Finalize music (s/track) selection. Students must join all AVI clip in Adobe Premier for editing into Music Video. . To Stripe in Music (s/track) Edit to fit video. . Research: 1. Name the 12 Basic Animation Principles and their functions. 2. Who were Disney’s “Nine Old Men”? Your thoughts on no.2 Lesson 4 . Preview LINE ANIMATION Ex. – Comments & Feedback. . Hand in Line Animation . The BOUNCING BALL Ex. Principle – 1)Sq & Str, 2)Slow out/Slow in, 3)Timing . Time Spacing, Image Spacing, Time Spacing Charts. . Read - Animator’s Survival Kit pg. 36 – 39 & 94 – 95 (Bouncing Balls) pg. 46 – 57 (Time & Image Spacing) - Timing for Animation Pg. 44 – 47 . Demo on work procedure (show students how to draw key poses and timing charts.) . Work procedure – plan layout, path of action, size of ball, flipping demo. . Shoot demo to show example. Video – “Looney Tunes Vol 1” & “ Boys from Termite Terrace” Lesson 5 . Preview Bouncing Ball – Comments and Feedback . Hand in Bouncing Ball . WAVE PRINCIPLES & ARCS Ex. Principles – 4) Arcs, 5) Secondary Actions, 6) Follow Thru & Overlapping Actions . Primary action, Secondary Action, Pull & drag Parabolas & Pendulum effect, path of action, slow out & slow in at head & tail. . Assignment : - WAVE 1 –fixed point, WAVE 2 – moving point. - Arcs – Ball throw (path of action) . Research – whip action, dog’s tail, flag, hand & arm swing. . Do keys in class. Test keys for timing. . Read – Animators’ Survival Kit - pg. 90-91, 301(Wave) - pg. 148, 151-153 - Pg. 231-245 (Breaking of Joints) . Timing for Animation pg. 64-65, 82-83 (Wave) Lesson 6 . Preview Wave & Arcs – Comment & Feedback. . Hand in Wave & Arcs . BALL WITH TAIL Ex. . All principles apply – (Sq & Str, Slow out & Slow in, Wave, Primary & Secondary actions, Arcs) Plus 7) Anticipation, 8)Pose to Pose & Straight Ahead 9) Staging . Background Design, 1pt. Perspective w/Entry & Exit points. . Thumbnail ideas out & plan X-Sheet for timing. . Research for ideas & entertainment value. . Read - Animators’ Survival Kit - pg. 61-69 (Pose to Pose & Straight Ahead) - pg. 99-101 (Inbetweening) - pg. 273-284 (Anticipation) -Timing for Animation - pg. 48-53 (more on Timing)

*Inform students to do research for next class – Animation History. To divide them into 3 or 4 groups (depending on the total number of students) Presentation first thing next week. Please dress appropriately.

Animation History Topics 1. Disney’s Silly Symphonies What are the Silly Symphonies? When and why was it created? Talk in depth about 2 titles and why you select them. 2. Disney Masterworks Select any 3 Disney Classics between 1937 to 1966. Talk in depth about them and why you consider them to be Masterworks. 3. The Boys from Termite Terrace Who were they and what were they famous for? Talk about their animation style compared to Disney Studios. 4. MGM Animation – The Early Years From the early pioneers to the success of ‘Tam and Jerry’. 5. Before Walt – Other Animation Pioneers (from 1890s to 1920s) Who were they? Talk in depth about 3 early pioneers and their notable work 6. Japanese Animation Pioneers and Masters A brief history of Japanese Animation. Research on 3 prominent masters and their works. 7. TV Animation A brief history of television. Talk in depth about the early pioneers of TV animation. Famous works. Their success and decline. 8. UPA (United Productions of America) When and why was it formed (a brief history) 9. Stop Motion Animation The early pioneers and their master works. Current practitioners and their works. Lesson 7 . Animation History (Student presentation) . Preview Ball with Tail – WIP (rough keys, BG etc…) . To complete and hand in by next week Video – The making of Iron Giant

*To update submission of assignments with students.

Lesson 8 . Preview Ball with Tail – Comments and Feedback. . Hand in Ball with Tail . The Human Walk Ex. . PROFILE – CYCLE – PROFILE – STOP (cycle 5 steps) – Show Attitude . All principles apply plus 10)Exaggeration 11)Solid Drawing and 12)Appeal . Background planning (optional) . Types of walk are discussed & explored, must be on model, high & low points & tilt in pelvis & shoulders, bend in knees and raising of the heels, even spacing as foot travels back (cycle) wave action in hair & drapery. . Research – walk types, personalities, attitudes etc. . Read - Animators’ Survival Kit - pg. 102-163 -Timing for Animation - pg. 96-99 - Video – Making of any Pixar Films Lesson 9 . The Walk. – Preview Keys & X-Sheet (Walk style, Personality and Attitude) . Comments & Feedback . Proceed to do revisions . Check BG panning (Manual background panning) . Read - Animators’ Survival Kit - pg. 223-230 (Overlapping Actions) -Timing for Animation - pg. 54-63 (1’s & 2’s, Overlaps & Follow Thru) - Video – Making of any Pixar Films Lesson 10 . THE WALK. – (WIP) Preview of animation . Comment & Feedback . Check BG panning (manual background panning) . Proceed to do final Revisions and completion. . Hand in by next week. Lesson 11 . Hand in THE WALK. . Weight and Recoil Ex. . All principles apply. . Show attitude and personality (performance) through the use of Balance, Force, Torque, Gravity and Inertia. . A choice of one or two characters and usage of scene cuts. . Read - Animators’ Survival Kit - pg. 256-268 (weight) . Video – Any animated short films.

Lesson 12 . Weight and Recoil – WIP . Comments and feedbacks. . Proceed to revisions. Lesson 13 . Weight and Recoil – WIP . Comments and Feedback . Proceed with refining animation (show personality and attitude) and completion of assignment. . Hand in by next week. (No extension of deadline). . Video – The making of…any Hayao Miyazaki’s film. Week 14 . Final Handing in for all assignments (Final Deadline) . Assessment and Grading. . Show video that are related to the topic you are teaching.