Course Syllabus for
Animation 1

Course Title: Animation 1

Length of course: 18 weeks

Instructor: Brad Clark

Terms: 1 & 3 or 2 & 4

Room: HF-2

Prerequisites: None

    

Course Description:

Students will learn the methods and principals of animation and will apply a variety of skills in the creation of hand drawn, clay sculpted and computer rendered projects. 

 

Course Standards:

This course follows the California State Framework Standards for the Visual Arts.  It satisfies the Elk Grove Unified School District’s visual and performing arts graduation requirement and meets the visual and performing arts admission requirement for both the CSU and UC systems (UC “f” requirement). 

 

Course Objectives: 

Students will learn the history and development of animation as an entertainment and art form.  They will learn the principles and methods of animation and apply these skills to produce a variety of produce short animated films. 

 

Course Curriculum:

Animation 1 is a project-based curriculum based on a progressive set of assignments designed to expose students to the animation process and the principles of art behind them. . Students work individually to learn specific skills and as group members to collaboratively apply their skills in the creation of a short film. While this process involves using specific skills and production procedures, it is a fun and energetic curriculum that teaches responsibility, organization and collaborative work principles. All assignment instructions are posted on the class website.

 

Course Textbook and Equipment

Animation 1 does not use a textbook.  Students are required to keep an ongoing notebook of reference material that will be distributed during the course. Media reference books located in the classroom and the Franklin Community Library, and a variety of on-line resources will be used as supplemental resources for the course. All equipment and supportive resources needed to complete assignments will be available to all students. It
is not required that students have their own computer or video hardware at home in order to be successful in class.

 

Course Assessment: Grading (assessment) is based on a point system.  Points are assigned to class assignments, homework, tests and quizzes. Quizzes given approximately every week. Total possible points available for an assignment are based on the complexity and depth of the work involved. All assignments and grades are posted on SchoolLoop.com

 

“R” Rated Films and Videos

District policy requires parental approval for a high school student to view an “R” rated film.  I will NOT be showing any “R” rated movies.   We will, however, watch a number of short films from the early history of animation and will show a number of clips from more contemporary animated films. 

 

Homework, tests, and quizzes:

Grades will be based on a standard grading scale of

·         100 to 90%  = A; 89 to 80% = B; 79 to 70% = C; 69 to 60% = D; below 60% = F.

 

Late and Incomplete work:

  • Unexcused late work will receive at least one letter grade lower.
  • Incomplete work due to illness or other excused absence will receive an incomplete grade

       defaulting to a D or less if not completed in an assigned amount of time.

After School Make-up

  • Students, who fall behind, for whatever reason, should request from the teacher an after-school make-up appointment.  On most days the classroom is available for make-up work from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. 

 

Behavior:

  • Students are expected to adhere to Franklin High School and Media Production behavior expectations while both in the classroom or working on class projects outside of the classroom.
  • Students and parents are asked to sign a separate Student Responsibility Contract before students can proceed in using media communications equipment.
  • Classroom and individual behavioral expectations not already a part of Franklin High School behavior expectations as outlined in the student handbook are clearly posted in the classroom. Care and respect for individuals and equipment is the guiding principle.
  • Consequences for disregarding classroom or Franklin High School behavior expectations are issued as soon as possible and will follow those consequences as outlined in the student handbook and discussed in the Media Contract.  Repeated or serious violations can result in a suspension of the privilege to work with the computers and video equipment and may result in alternate written assignments.

 

Animation Club

·         Animation students are encouraged to join the animation club after school and to work independently    on animation projects. 

 

Field Trips

·         If funding is available, we will plan at least one field trip. 

 

 

Student Materials:

Required:

·         Headphones. Small ear-bud style are best because they are less likely to break in a backpack. 

·         A notebook or binder in which to keep a portfolio of course related reference material and production worksheets.

·         Pencils, pens, and binder paper

 

Suggested: Students wishing to keep copies of their work will need to provide their own media. 

·         Standard CD-R or portable flash drives to bring home compressed movie files.

·         DVD-R disks to make a playable movie of the term’s work. 

 

 

 

Please call or e-mail with any questions, thoughts or concerns through SchoolLoop.com or at bnclark@egusd.net. You may also leave a message with the Franklin High School Office at 714-8150.