Flash Animation

Course Name : Flash Animation - DGM 1062

Course: Description
Introduces interface, fundamental set of tools, animation and tweening techniques and operations of Flash. Requires creation of an interactive Flash project with sound, video, and simple motion. Introduces basic scripting.

Course: Objectives

Creative Process
Will be used to help students explore ideas and develop them into a realistic project.

Scripting
Create and develop code that will be used as the back bone for all flash interaction.

Storyboarding
Planning flash animations using correct storyboarding methods.

Animation
Create animation centered around the 12 solid principles animation.

Animation Production
Learn how to organize a project, import assets and manage time and resources.  

Course: Materials
1. Sketchbook — 9 x 12 100 pages. 50 lb. +
2. Notepad
3. Pencils
4. External drive
5. CD-R or DVD-R Discs for back up
6. Dropbox.com account for assignments

Course: Resources
Title : How to Cheat in Adobe Flash CS5: The Art of Design and Animation
Author : Chris Georgenes
ISBN-13: 978-0240522074
Type : Required resource

Title : Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide
Author : Rich Shupe & Zevan Rosser
ISBN-13: 978-0596527877
Type : Supplementary resource (not required)

Policies: Back-up
Be sure to always back-up your files on a regular basis. Unfinished or lost projects due to data loss, or mismanagement will not be accepted. Policies: Extra Credit There is no extra credit offered in this course.

Policies: Feedback
The work you do will be assets prior to grading using feedback.
1. Self evaluation
2. Peer evaluation
3. Instructor evaluation
Once feedback has been given students my revise their work prior to grading. After grading no further feedback will be given.

Policies: Assessment
Students will meet with instructor to discuss work and grades one on one at midterm, and 2 week prior to final. This is the only time grades will be discussed, unless requested by the student.

Policies: Grading criteria
Objective : Measurable advancement, without bias or opinion: 50% of grade
1. Technical aspects and concepts
2. Understanding of the tool set or software

Subjective : Based on the industry and instructor knowledge and opinions: 50% of grade
3. Design aspects and Concepts
4. Project Aesthetics, and overall polish

Projects are to be finished on time; late projects will be reduced 10% for each day late.

Policies: Assignments*
Tutorial Based Learning and training 3 assigned tutorials 50 points each — up to 150 points.

25 pages of drawing, scripting, writing or designing  1 point per page quantity 1 point per page for quality — up to 50 points.

Final Project 100 points for each of the objectives met, 100 Critiques, 100 Design, 100 Craftsmanship, 100 Animation, 100 Polish — up to 500 points.

Class total — up to 800 points.

All work must be submitted on time. Each project will be graded using the stated grading criteria.

Policies: Final Assignment*
The Final Assignment will be an 7-week project. It must demonstrate all the course objectives, and be subjectively strong after feedback. In addition it must incline toward one of the 4 Digital Media Emphases; Animation and Gaming, Digital Audio, Digital Video, or Internet Technologies.

Policies: Grade Scale
A = 95-100 Exceptional
A- = 90-94
B+ = 86-89
B = 83-85 Meets Expectations                                     
B- = 80-82
C+ = 76-79
C = 73-75 Average
C- = 70-72
D+ = 66-69
D = 63-65 Bellow Average
D- = 60-62
E = 59 Needs Improvement

Class Schedule*

Week_001
Introduction Flash CS5
Creative Process
Napkin Pitch
Layouts and Storyboards
Bouncing Ball Assignment Given

Week_002
Chapter 2: Transformation and Distortion
Bouncing Ball Critique

Week_003
Bouncing Ball Assignment Due
Chapter 3: Masking
Haunted House & Airplane Assignment Given

Week_004
Chapter 3: Masking
Haunted House & Airplane Assignment Critique

Week_005
Storyboarding & Animation Tutorial
Haunted House & Airplane Assignment Due

Week_006
Chapter 5: Character Animation
Character Animation Storyboards Due
Character Animation Assignment

Week_007
Chapter 5: Character Animation
Character Animation Assignment Review

Week_008
Work day
Final Storyboard Assignment
Character Animations Due

Week_009
Work day
Animation Examples

Week_010
Scripting Tutorial
Scripting Snippets (Drag and Drop)
Final Storyboard Due

Week_011
Final Critique #1
Work Day

Week_012
Work Day
Final Critique #2

Week_013
Work Day
Thanksgiving break

Week_014
Work Day
Final Critique #3

Week_015
Work Week

Week_016
Final Critique #4
Work Day
25 page Sketchbook/ Journal  Due

Week_017
Final projects due


*Assignments, Tutorials, and Class schedule are subject to change, based on class need or conflict