Instructor: Mark Pease
Office: Glove Factory 110
Telephone: (618) 453-3260
Email: markpease@siu.edu
Office Hours/Informal meeting and availability: Monday and Wednesday, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Meeting Times and Location:
Monday and Wednesday, 11:00 - 1:50 PM, Pulliam Design Wing, Rm 163
Course Description:
Time-based media art course covering topics and skills in 2D animation, motion graphics, video editing, composting, and visual effects.
Objective: Explore a wide range of digital imaging through the integration of time-based imaging including animation, video and sound. The primary software for the course will be Adobe After Effects with projects also covering Premiere, Audition, and Photoshop. Prerequisites: AD 219 or permission of instructor
Course Objectives:
- Learn and apply elements and principles of time-based media (sequencing, transitions, movement, camera, rhythm, repetition, light, sound, and more)
- Learn, refine and apply fundamental 2D animation and motion graphic workflows.
- Learn and apply basic video editing workflows for production.
- Learn, refine, and apply compositing, visual effects, and other post-production workflows.
- Learn and apply basic audio production and sound workflows.
- Learn about various video formats, frame rates, data rates and other technical components of time-based media.
- Explore contemporary and historical artists incorporating time-based media into moving images, animation, and video.
Text:
There is no comprehensive text however articles and other links to readings and screenings will be required and provided by the instructor
Required Materials:
Video, animation and sound place higher demands on computer processing, storage and transfer of files.
Students are REQUIRED to back-up coursework through the semester and have an external drive for storage
Students should save their work in at least 2 locations to prevent data loss.
• 32-GB USB storage drive.
• Sketchbook for sketching and note-taking
• Mouse (optional) - wireless mouse, tablet
Digital camera or smartphone camera (SOAD visual resources center has several to check out by appointment)
Ear buds, headphones: recommended 1 pair of closed-back stereo headphones
The software used in the course will be Adobe After Effects and other Creative Cloud apps, Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Audition. Students are not required to buy this software, but access to the Soad Lab is limited. Students may work in Communications 9 after hours. *Note compatibility issues.
Projects:
There will be 4 projects to cover technical components of animation and video and 1 large project to combine animation, video and sound. The assignments will involve technical parameters with conceptual frameworks to follow. The final project will require students to bring independent original concepts and combine technical components covered in the course.
project 1 Motion Control- motion introduction, transitions, After Effects workflow, animation curves, dope sheet vs. animation curves, sequencing
project 2 - 2D Character Animation- Photoshop and illustrator integration, complex motion, articulated movement, puppeting, expressions, multi plane
project 3 - Shapes - motion graphics with shape layers, 3D layers, camera layers, light layers, expressions, pattern and repetition
project 4 - video editing workflow, After Effects video compositing, visual effects, motion tracking, keying, rotoscoping, mixing media
Presentation - 8-10 minute presentation on Moving Image Artist
Final Project - original audio production, scoring soundtracks, text layers, kinetic type, more VFX and compositing workflows
PARTICIPATION POINTS
Throughtout the semester participation points will be assigned to discussions, chats, feedback critiques, and breakout sessions. These points will count towards the final semester grade. Some participation points will be determined by participation and attention during demonstrations. Texting and phone usage during demonstrations may result in a loss of participation points.
Outside Work time:
The expected worktime + contact time for each week is approximately 8-10 hours. (Based on an in-person section of 6 hours of in-class worktime/lecture time and 2-4 hours of outside worktime/homework)
evaluation methods:
Grades in the course are based on points earned for each assignment and participation in critiques and discussion
Grading criteria will be established for each project and points will be awarded based on 4 categories: focus, design, craftsmanship, and creativity. For projects, specific criteria and a rubric will be outlined for each category.
Grades will be assessed according to the outline below:
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Focus: Completion of outlined criteria, meeting objectives, following directions, time devoted inside and outside of class
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Design: Understanding and demonstration of the elements and principles of design as they relate to the assignment
- Elements of Design
line, form, shape, space, color, texture, value
- Principles of Design
contrast, unity, dominance, balance, rhythm/repetition, movement, pattern, weight
- 4D Principles of Animation and Motion
- 4D Art: Subject, Form, Content, Context, Movement, Energy Dynamics, Speed, Transitions
- Elements of Design
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Craft: Skill and aptitude for handling digital and analog materials and tools. Skill in execution. Proper use of digital components and files.
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Creativity: Original, inventive and independent thinking used to solve problems and generate solutions to assignments with unique styles and ideas.
GRADE scale:
| letter grade equivalent | |
| 94-100% | A |
| 90-93% | A- |
| 87-89% | B+ |
| 83-86% | B |
| 80-82% | B- |
| 77-79% | C+ |
| 73-76% | C |
| 70-72% | C- |
| 67-69% | D+ |
| 60-66% | D |
| 0-59% | F |
Late Work:
- Work must be submitted according to instructor’s guidelines COMPLETED and ON TIME on the due date.
- Late or unfinished work will lose 10% PER DAY including weekends.
- 6 days after the due date, late work will not be accepted and earn 0 points.
- If a student is absent when an assignment is due, they are responsible for submitting the assignment on time.
Attendance policy:
- Students are required to attend all regularly scheduled classes. Attendance will be taken.
- Students may not arrange to leave early or arrive late.
- Arriving late or leaving early (10+min) equals an absence.
- An absence will be recorded for not showing up with materials, working on other projects during class, or not working.
- An absence will be recorded for students working on Facebook, Instagram,YouTube, email, texting, etc.
Absence Policy
- Students are allotted unexcused 3 absences for the semester. (personal health, personal day, possible exposure to a virus, conflict for another event, etc.)
- On the 4TH unexcused absence a student’s semester grade will be lowered 1/2 OF A FULL LETTER GRADE and continued to be lowered 1/2 OF A FULL LETTER GRADE for each additional absence.
- Students are required to keep track of absences and may receive a warning after 3 unexcused absences. Students are required to keep track of unexcused absences.
- In-class quizzes and progress checks cannot be made up.
- Participation points for critiques can only be earned on critique days.
- Absences will be excused only for the following reasons: SIU athletic department sponsored activity, observances of major religious holidays, DSS attendance adjustments, Student Absence Notification from the Universty, and scheduled medical appointments for the student with written documentation (no health center walkout statements). Students are required to notify the instructor 3 days prior to a scheduled medical appointment for themselves and provide a letter from the medical provider upon return to class.
Studio Policies/ Studio Guidelines:
- All SIUC computer lab policies must be followed including NO FOOD in the labs.
- All SIUC health guidelines must be followed according to the syllabus attachment.
- Cell phones must be turned OFF during meeting times and will not be answered.
- No headphones during specified times.
SoAD Lab:
Students must abide by all posted rules when using the SoAD Lab.
SIU Syllabus Attachment
Click here for official Syllabus Attachment