Course Title: Write animation

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2010

Course Code: COMM5927

Course Title: Write animation

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6088 - Advanced Diploma of Screenwriting

Course Contact : Program administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368

Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Mr. Robert Stephenson
E-mail:  robert.stephenson@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 70

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

First year.

Course Description

This course delivers the skills and knowledge required to write scripts for animation in both individual works and for an animation series.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VPAU312 Write animation

Element:

1. Develop story.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Sustainable premise is created, suitable to audience, production requirements and any program brief
1.2 Story concept appropriate to animation is established for discussion
1.3 Story concept is refined in story meetings with appropriated personnel
1.4 Appropriate theme and story strands are formulated
1.5 Sustainable character arcs are plotted

Element:

2. Create scene breakdown.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Major dramatic beats are designed
2.2 Scene sequences are shaped to develop story or story strands
2.3 Beats of character arcs are designed and integrated into story
2.4 Character point of view is established
2.5 Visual and aural elements are integrated into narrative

Element:

3, Write script.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Script is documented in appropriate industry format
3.2 Scene breakdown is followed taking into account any requested changes
3.3 Visual elements are refined
3.4 Dialogue is developed in character
3.5 Drafts are revised where required and provided punctually


Learning Outcomes


N/A


Details of Learning Activities

• lectures
• demonstrations
• guest lecturers
• peer teaching and class presentations
• exercises
• discussion
• group activities/projects
• workshopping

Classes will include planned lectures, class exercises to review what has been learnt in class, practical demonstrations, workshopping of students’ own projects, analysis/critique of screenwriters’ work.


Teaching Schedule

Date 5-6pm 6-7pm 7-8pm 8-9pm Element
9/2 Introduction        
16/2 Stages of Animation Production Overview Idea Generation Exercise- Self Portrait Flipbook
(draw)
Self Portrait Flipbook
(scan/output)
1
23/2 Animation Logistics Idea Generation Exercise- Stop motion exercise with cut out or clay Stop motion exercise with cut out or clay. 1
9/3 Introduction to Storyboarding Understanding Shot definitions and structure Create a quick Storyboard Create an Animatic 1, 2
LABOUR DAY          
16/3 Animating Intuitively
Under camera Exercise
Animating Intuitively
Under camera Exercise
Animating Intuitively
Under camera Exercise
Animating Intuitively
Under camera Exercise
1
23/3 Finding a Character Writing and Designing a character- model sheets. Animation Acting Animation Acting 1
30/3 Writing An Animated Short Film-Creating the world Creating People for Your World Storyboard an Event in Your world Create an Animatic 2
MID SEMESTER          
MID SEMESTER          
20/4 Writing An Animated Short Film Writing An Animated Short Film Test Scene or animatic for your short Test Scene or animatic for your short 1, 2, 3
27/4 Individual Animated Series Development Individual Animated Series Development Individual Animated Series Development Individual Animated Series Development 1, 2, 3
4/5 Individual Animated Series Development Individual Animated Series Development Individual Animated Series Development Individual Animated Series Development 1, 2, 3
11/5 Presentation ‘Bible’ Presentation ‘Bible’ Presentation ‘Bible’ Presentation ‘Bible’ 1, 2, 3
18/5 Presentation ‘Bible’ Presentation ‘Bible’ Presentation ‘Bible’ Presentation ‘Bible’ 1, 2, 3
25/5 Feature Animation Overview US Studio Animation System Feature Outlines Feature Outlines 1, 2, 3
1/6 Review        


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

You will assessed on your ability to provide story concepts suitable for animation, provide scripts and drafts to industry standard on time, work in a team and your knowledge of current animation trends and production requirements.


Assessment Tasks

Short film screenplay

TV Series Outline

Class exercises


Assessment Matrix

VPAU312 Write animation Screenplay TV Series Outline Exercises
ELEMENT:
Develop story		 X X X
Create scene breakdown X X X
Write script X X X

SKILLS:
• Visual conception skills

X X X
• Narrative writing skills  X X X
KNOWLEDGE:
• Animation techniques 		 X X X
• Animation team roles and responsibilities X X X
• Typical production costs  X X X
• Current audience requirements and industry trends  X X X
• Production protocols X X X

Other Information

These assessment tasks are designed for you to demonstrate competency in the required skills and knowledge of this unit.


This unit will also be graded. Your teacher will provide a grading guide for you at the commencement of the course.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview