Animation Techniques

Code:

TA101

Acronym:

TA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Design

Instance: 2022/2023 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Design
Course/CS Responsible:	Communication Design

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
DC	32	Plano de estudos de LDC_publicaçao em DR de 24/05/2022	2	-	6	45	162
			3
			4

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Introduction on animation film practice - from the most elementary construction to traditional techniques, crossing it with contemporary approaches and digital image processing. First approach to the animation practice going through pre-production, production and post-production. First approach to the history and experience of animation in cinema and video - conventions and grammar, genres, techniques and narrative structures. Filming in "stop motion" and "frame by frame": shadow or silhouette animation, sand, cutout, clay, drawing, pixilation, rotoscoping, etc. The student's should prove a creative attitude, critical consciousness of the potential and limits of the media used and the components of video-cinematography in animation expression. Animation being a collective work with a common objective, teamwork is encouraged and therefore the distribution of tasks; at the same time the sharing of efforts and the affirmation of individuality.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

Be able to understand and work though the three key stages of animation production: pre-production, production and direction, and post-production.

Working method

Presencial

Program

In addition to lectures, practice exercises will be developed so that the student makes contact and experiences fundamental aspects in approaching cinema and video animation.
1. Concept and directing. Organize pre-production, production and post-production. Main aspects of animated expression: duration, movement, time and metamorphosis.
2. Technical and technological aspects. Shooting in stop motion or frame by frame: shadows or silhouettes animation, sand, cutouts, clay, drawing, pixilation, rotoscoping, etc. Record and sound treatment. Video and audio editing.
3. Analysis of video and film animation. Framework, montage, continuity. Set design and lighting.
4. Introduction to the history of video and cinema animation. Viewing and analysis of different animation film techniques. The image-movement experience, the image-time experience and animated expression.

Mandatory literature

ARIJON, Daniel; Grammar of the film language, Silman-James Press, 1991
Gilbert, Wayne; Simplified Drawing for Planning Animation, Anamie, 1999
Purves, Barry J.C.; Stop Motion: Passion, Process and Performance, Focal Press, 2007
White, Tony; Animation from Pencils to Pixels: Classical Techniques for the Digital Animator, Focal Press, 2006
White, Tony; How to Make Animated Films: Tony White's Complete Masterclass on the Traditional Principals of Animation, Focal Press, 2009
Williams, Richard; The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet, Faber & Faber, 2002
Wright, Jean Ann; Animation Writing and Development: From Script Development to Pitch, Focal Press, 2005

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures on film grammar and animation history. Practice animation film techniques: shooting, editing, writing, directing and production.

keywords

Humanities > Arts > Visual arts > Film studies
Humanities > Arts > Fine arts

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	50,00
Trabalho laboratorial	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	50,00
Frequência das aulas	62,00
Trabalho laboratorial	50,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Effective participation in individual work and team work. Production of the exercises presented.

Calculation formula of final grade

Estimated average of all work undertaken. Effective participation.

Observations

The class cultural context may lead to classes with lectures in both languages: English and Portuguese. Discussion and project follow-up can take place in English and French.