This first class in the Film and Digital Arts Animation Master Class track will be entirely focused on laying the foundation of animation around the 12 principals of animation as defined by Disney master animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. Each week we will practice and illustrate these principles in action through simple animation tests and assignments. We will study the process, the pipeline, the tools and the workflow of CG Character Animation. We will also look at the history of animation and explore how the industry got to where it is today including what has worked, what hasn’t and where the future of animation as an art form and career may go.

In Animation Class I students will:

• Acquire an in-depth working knowledge of the 12 principles of animation
• Be introduced to the workflows used in major feature-film animation studios and Game Companies
• Learn to approach their work in a manner reflecting an actual production environment

As we complete the first week and have had a chance to introduce ourselves you will find that this industry attracts a very diverse group of students. I have been teaching courses like this for 8 years now and it is always the case. Honestly, the diversity is what makes this course so much fun to teach. Some of you may be artists and some of you may be computer scientists. Some of you may be taking this class because you think it might be fun and some of you may not even know why you are taking it. No matter what reason you have for being here, you are here and I am happy to have you in this class.

What does diversity have to do with computer graphics let alone that it is a benefit?

I’m glad you asked!

Since we all come from different backgrounds and are here for different interests, we will be able to provide a unique perspective to the problem solving process that would otherwise be missed sans diversity. The art of computer animation involves using tools to solve a given problem or set of problems that is not only visually appealing, but scalable and efficient. Since our main goal is to solve problems with an infinite number of ways to go about that process, the more perspectives we have, the better results we will have.

Ultimately we are working with tools, rules, processes and workflows that are technical in nature. However, these tools are simply a means to an end. The end result is and always should be artistic. Yes, I did just say that we are problem solving using technical tools for art. It may seem a bit contradictory, but really this is no different then any other art form. A pencil illustrator follows the same process. The problem they are solving is producing an image on a blank page using only pencils. They must use certain techniques and processes to lay the graphite onto the paper in a way that achieves the desired result. We approach our problem to produce a work of art on the computer in the end just like any other skilled artisan utilizes their medium to create a work of art. Creativity is treated as an equal with technicality.

Title IX

Our classroom and our university should always be spaces of mutual respect, kindness, and support, without fear of discrimination, harassment, or violence. Should you ever need assistance or have concerns about incidents that violate this principle, please access the resources available to you on campus, especially the LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center and the support services listed on its website (http://loborespect.unm.edu/). Please note that, because UNM faculty, TAs, and GAs are considered "responsible employees" by the Department of Education, any disclosure of gender discrimination (including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and sexual violence) made to a faculty member, TA, or GA must be reported by that faculty member, TA, or GA to the university's Title IX coordinator. For more information on the campus policy regarding sexual misconduct, please see: https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/2000/2740.html

As I mentioned earlier, our diversity within this course will ultimately shape the outcomes of this class, it would not be fair for me to limit the needed exchange of ideas in order to utilize that diversity. Even though we do not have any “group work” in this class, we are however working through the same material, the same problems and the same assignments all at the same time. It is because of this that I encourage you to collaborate together (through whatever safe means you can muster in COVID land) to solve these problems. Please do not take this as an opportunity to simply glean off of others hard work. You have registered for this class voluntarily. You have paid for this class voluntarily; therefore, I assume that each of you are here to learn the material. So let’s learn together.

These books are not required but HIGHLY recommended:

• The Illusion of Life (Disney Animation) by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston
• The Animators Survival Kit by Richard Williams

No Live Class Time!!!

Our scheduled class time in ESCP 109 WILL NOT be a required meeting time for everyone. In-fact. If everyone shows up we will be busting at the seams due to the small room size. This time will be converted to a 4 hour block of time allocated as an open lab for you to come and work either on a UNM computer or your laptop on class material, to ask questions of me directly, and to collaborate with each other as needed.

Class Open Lab

When: Thursday's from 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Where: ESCP 109

The lab located on the map notated by the red circle. ESCP 109 is the southern lab in this building and the classroom is in the lab and around to the back left once you enter.

I will NOT be holding lab on 2/15 due to a personal event conflict and on 3/14 due to Spring Break! I will send announcements before hand as well.