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MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: UADACL-20-1 Title: INTRODUCTION TO ANIMATED FORMS Version: 3

Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10

Module type: Project

Owning Faculty: SCA Field: Design

Faculty Committee approval: Quality & Standards Committee Date: 24th June 2010

Approved for Delivery by: indicate name of affiliated institution if module will only be delivered by them

Valid from: Sept 2010 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: BA (Hon s) Animation

Pre-requisites: NONE

Co-requisites: NONE

Entry requirements: If the module is offered as CPD or stand alone, indicate the entry requirements

Excluded combinations:

Learning outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding

i) identify the basic principles of animation and animated dynamics applied to a range of animation disciplines and techniques;

ii) research and analyse contemporary or historic aspects of animation production and the related processes and practices;

iii) identify, understand and use accepted terminology and conventions in relation to specific animation disciplines and techniques covered.

Intellectual skills

iv) begin to recognise the place of animation and animation production within media and other visual practices;

v) critically analyse and evaluate the work of specified contemporary or historic practitioners;

vi) begin to explore the creative possibilities that various processes, techniques and animation disciplines offer.

Subject/practical skills

vii) apply underlying principles of animation as they relate to and may be applied to a range of animation techniques, processes and disciplines;

viii) familiarise themselves with a range of relevant technologies and processes related to the medium of animation;

ix) begin to engage with a range of techniques and processes related to the separate disciplines within the animation medium.

Transferable/key skills

x) undertake research and present their findings in a coherent and structured manner;

xi) develop personal organisation and time-management skills;

xii) undertake critical analysis of their own and others work.

Syllabus outline:

This module introduces students to a range of animation disciplines, historical and contemporary, and gives them an opportunity to explore the potential of a broad spectrum of techniques and processes. It is intended to provide students with an introduction to a critical debate around animated form and practice.

Students are required to engage with a range of animation disciplines which may include, paint on glass, stop-motion, pixilation, cut out etc, CG Animation. Students are also expected to undertake critical analysis of the results and present the work within a group environment.

The module places emphasis on experimentation and exploration of the animated form and animation dynamics. In addition students are required to complete a short illustrated essay on a technique, epoch, or practitioner of their choosing.

Teaching and learning methods:

Students spend time between practical studio based work, series of workshops in a variety of processes, demonstrations, Lectures and screenings serving as introduction to the historic form and function of animation production as entertainment and art.

Students are required to document their development in a range of technologies and processes throughout the module and collate their research into the animated form through the maintaining of a studio practice blog. They gain further insight into animation, the animated form and related media through researching their chosen essay topic. Group tutorials serve to contextualise the practical work while providing an opportunity for ongoing monitoring and progress feedback.

Assessment is through the completion and screening of the separate exercises, their blog and their illustrated essay.

Assessment criteria:

Assessment Criteria

Students will be assessed on the level of their ability to:

Criteria

Relates to

learning

outcomes:

Source of evidence

i) demonstrate a level of exploration and imagination within a range of animation sequences;

i), iv), vi), vii)

The full range of animation exercises.

ii) effectively use a range of appropriate technologies in order to complete a number of animation sequences;

ii), iii), iv), ix)

The full range of animation exercises. Animation presentations.

iii) demonstrate an understanding of animation timing as it applies to a range of techniques and disciplines;

i), vi), vii)

The full range of animation exercises.

iv) thoroughly analyse and critically evaluate one’s own work and that of others.

i), iii), v), xii

Animation exercises. Studio based feedback sessions.

v) undertake research into a chosen subject, synthesise their findings and present them in written form;

ii), iv), v), x)

Illustrated essay

vi) demonstrate an ability to use the appropriate technologies to make, prepare, collate, edit and present their work in coherent manner;

iii), viii), ix)

Animation exercises. Presentations.

vii) articulate their understanding of the issues related to a range of disciplines and present their work and findings in coherent manner;

x), xii)

Illustrated essay. Animation presentations.

viii) work to a brief and with the time constraints of module.

xi)

Meeting the deadlines and delivering all required elements of the module for assessment.

Reading Strategy

Essential Reading is indicated to supplement student understanding of the subjects covered throughout the module. Further Reading guides students through more specific aspects of research. Students will be directed to these under the guidance of staff. In addition to suggested reading, students will be directed to other sources such as web sites and other on-line resources.

Under the university’s Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) permit, reading packs with relevant chapters or excerpts from books will be given to students where applicable, supplied at the beginning of the module. Text excerpts from books published in the UK may also be available via UWE Online Digital Collections, where permissible, during the module period. Access details for UWE Online digital resources for this module will be included in the course handbook.

Essential Reading:

Furniss, M

Art in Motion: Animation Aesthetics

John Libbey, Sydne, (1998)

Pilling, J (ed)

A Reader in Animation Studies

John Libbey, Sydney, (1997)

Wells, P

Understanding Animation

Routledge, London, (1998)

Amidi, A

Cartoon Modern: Style and Design in 1950s Animation

Chronicle Books (2006)

Bendazzi G

Cartoons: One Hundred Years of Cinema Animation

Bloomington (1994)

Further Reading:

Laybourne, K

The Animation Book

Three River Press, New York, (1998)

Roberts, S

Character Animation in 3D

Focal Press, Oxford, (2004)

Russett, R & Starr, C

Experimental Animation: Origins of a New Art

Da Capo, New York, (1976)

Shaw, S

Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model Animation

Focal Press, Oxford, (2002)

Whitaker, H & Halas, J

Timing for Animation

Focal Press, Oxford, (2002)

Crafton D

Before Mickey: The Animated Film 1898 - 1928

U Chicago P, (1993)

Klee P

Pedagogical Sketchbook

Faber & Faber (June 1968)

Wiedemann, J (ed)

Animation now! : Anima Mundi

Taschen, London, (2004)

 

http://www.animationjournal.com/books/books.html

good comprehensive book list from animation journal.

  

Caws ,M A

Manifesto: A Century of Isms

University of Nebraska Press (1 Feb 2001)

Assessment

Please state which element of assessment should be recorded as the final assessment for the purposes of submitting data on non-submissions to HEFCE. (For further information please contact Academic Registry.)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Animation Exercises Final Element of assessment 70%

2 Illustrated Essay (1500 words) 30%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Animation Exercises Final Element of assessment 70%

2 Illustrated Essay (1500 words) 30%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT (attendance at taught classes is not required)

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

   

Introduction to Animated Forms – UADACL-20-1

Assessment Criteria:

Students will be assessed according to their fulfilment of the learning outcomes in respect of the following criteria:

Threshold standard

(UG Level)

    i) demonstrate a level of exploration and imagination within a range of animation sequences;

    the student understands the potential of the given tasks is able to identify key issues as they applied to the different animation disciplines and techniques. The student demonstrates confidence and a degree of independence in the exploration of animation as a medium.

    ii) effectively use a range of appropriate technologies in order to complete a number of animation sequences;

    the student is willing and able to engage with a variety of animation processes and effectively use the relevant technologies in their exploration of the animation medium.

    iii) demonstrate an understanding of animation timing as it applies to a range of techniques and disciplines;

    the animation sequences demonstrate that the student is capable of understanding and utilising animation timing to create a range of dynamics within a range of techniques.

    iv) thoroughly analyse and critically evaluate one’s own work and that of others.

    the student demonstrates the ability to identify both positive and negative aspects of their own work and that of others and articulate their opinions using appropriate terminology.

    v) undertake research into a chosen subject, synthesise their findings and present them in written form;

    the student has demonstrated the ability to undertake the relevant research into an area of animation or related area, synthesise the information and present their findings within a form that illustrates their arguments clearly and concisely. The student understands the importance of linking theoretical study to the practical aspects of their studies.

    vi) demonstrate an ability to use the appropriate technologies to make, prepare, collate, edit and present their work in coherent manner;

    the students is able to use the appropriate technologies and processes to collate their work in a format suitable for presentation to and analysis by others.

    vii) articulate their understanding of the issues related to a range of disciplines and present their work and findings in coherent manner;

    the students is able to discuss the merits of the work they and others have completed. They should be familiar with the terminology associated with a range of techniques and processes that underpin their practical work on this module.

    viii) work to a brief and with the time constraints of module.

    all the work should be completed in line with the assignment and presented in the required format on the specified times and dates.

   
   

Levels of Achievement

80% and above -

the work presented for assessment exceptionally exceeds the threshold profile in respect of all eight criteria. The student has fully explored and exploited the range of processes, methodology and medium to produce a body of work that demonstrates a high level of creative exploration of the medium of animation and demonstrates an understanding of the relationship between animation timing as it applies to the various techniques.

70% - 79% -

the work presented for assessment substantially exceeds the threshold profile in respect of all eight criteria. The student has explored and exploited the range of processes, methodology and medium to produce work which demonstrates a good level of creative exploration of the medium of animation and demonstrates an understanding of the relationship between animation timing as it applies to the various techniques.

60% - 69% -

the work presented for assessment exceeds the threshold profile in respect of criteria i), ii) and v) and meets the threshold profile in respect of all other criteria The student has explored and exploited the range of processes, methodology and medium to produce work which demonstrates a reasonable level of creative exploration of the medium of animation and demonstrates an understanding of the relationship between animation timing as it applies to the various techniques.

50% - 59% -

Whilst the work submitted may vary in the standard of attainment in respect of all eight criteria and the work presented for assessment meets the threshold profile. The work is complete and competent and demonstrates some creative exploration of the medium of animation and demonstrates an understanding of the relationship between animation timing as it applies to the various techniques.

40% - 49% -

the work presented for assessment meets the threshold profile in respect of most of the eight criteria and clearly meets the threshold in respect of i), ii) and v). The work is competent and demonstrates a clear understanding of the relationship between animation timing as it applies to the various techniques.

30% - 40% -

the work presented for assessment fails to meet the threshold profile in respect of criteria i), ii) and v). The presentation demonstrates that the student lacks sufficient engagement, flexibility and organisation in order to complete the task successfully.

20% - 30%

the work presented is of a very poor standard - the work substantially fails to meet the threshold profile and demonstrates that the student lacks sufficient engagement, flexibility and organisation to complete the task successfully.

0% - 20% -

little evidence of engagement with the module. The student substantially failed to meet the threshold profile in respect of all criteria.

* for the purpose of assessment the level of achievement is measured against the overarching profile given through the five threshold statements.

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