​Course Outline​
The Animation, Film and Visual Effects course is comprised of two one-year courses designed to prepare students for future education and careers in film production and animation. Students are trained to use industry-standard software, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, Toon Boom Harmony and Autodesk Maya.

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​​​Animation (first year)
This one-year course introduces the basic terminology, concepts and techniques of animation. Students learn historical perspective, current technologies, applications of animation, and basic principles of 2D and 3D animation.

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Units of study include:

Introduction to Animation
Media Analysis
Copyright Law
Macintosh Fundamentals
History of Animation
Animation Production Process

Elements and Principles of Design
Color Theory
Vector Drawing Techniques

Storyboarding
Principles of Animation

Audio and Lip Sync
2D Animation Techniques

Audio and Lip Sync

3D Modeling and Animation

Lighting and Composition
Portfolio/Demo Reel Creation

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Film and Visual Effects (second year)
Emphasizing hands-on production experience, this one-year course teaches the fundamentals of film production, including the techniques and the aesthetics of shooting, lighting, and editing. Students work both individually and in teams to learn pre-production, production, and post production stages of film creation, distribution, and evaluation.

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Units of study include:

Introduction to Film Production
Media Analysis
Copyright Law

Macintosh Fundamentals
Film Production Process
Principles of Composition
Color Theory
Typography
Image Editing

Camera Operation

Non-linear Editing

Audio Production

Scriptwriting

Storyboarding

PSA Production

Documentary Filmmaking

Fictional Filmmaking

Lighting Techniques

Compositing Techniques

Motion Graphics and Visual Effects

Portfolio/Demo Reel Creation



Required Text and Materials
Textbooks, manuals and tutorials will be provided by the instructor for use in the classroom. Students are required to purchase a minimum of two to three flash media drives (or an external hard drive) to back up and transfer their files, and several SD cards for the Film and Visual Effects course if they wish to retain their raw footage. Other required supplies include a 3-ring binder or spiral notebook, pen and pencil.

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Course Requirements
• Students are required to maintain a notebook which will be graded every few weeks.
• Several homework assignments will be given, including trade-related article and/or film analyses.

• Various in-class projects and technical exercises will be assigned throughout each year.
• Quizzes on course material will be given on a regular basis.
• A final exam consisting of a written portion and a practical portion will be given at the end of each year.

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​Grading Policy
Projects (40%):
Project grades will be based on a number of factors including: creativity, following specifications, utilization of animation and design principles, technical execution, neatness, organization, and meeting project deadlines. Technical exercises, as well as a culminating final exam project, will also count toward the practical portion of the grade.
 

Theory (30%):
A number of quizzes and homework assignments will be given during the year based on material discussed in class and/or posted on Google classroom. Every two weeks students will be given a link to a trade-related article or video, which they must read/view and analyze. Students are expected to maintain a notebook which will be graded every few weeks that includes notes taken during demonstrations. A written final exam will be given at the end of the year, which will also factor into the theory portion of the grade.

 

Class Participation (30%):
A weekly grade is given for class participation. Each day of the week is worth 20 points, for a possible total of 100 points per week. Grades will be based on satisfactory completion of cleanup assignments, attitude, attendance, cooperation, attentiveness and responsible use of equipment. If a student is absent, he/she will receive a zero for that day unless a written legal excuse is submitted within three days.