Full-time (Day): 1 term | Part-time (Night): 2 terms

The Animated Short Certificate course is designed to serve as preparation for life as a professional animator. It explores advanced concepts in designing and producing a computer-generated animation short. Focused around character design, animation and storytelling. Students will demonstrate creativity and knowledge of sophisticated animation principles and techniques. The students will create a short animated film that will enhance their skills and add to their portfolio.
*Select student films will also be submitted to animation festivals.

Modules

AS101 The Animated Short

In this session the process and requirements to produce an animated film are examined and discussed. Students will begin to create and brainstorm different ideas for their short animation. The class will discuss topics such as building better content, the human condition and the importance of communicating through character and location.

AS102 Storyboards and The Pitch Process

The Pitch Process is the most important part of creating an animated short. Students will learn how to write and create storyboards for their animation ideas. Each project will be presented or pitched and critiqued for review. As a class, students will also explore different software packages and techniques to build timing into their storyboards.

AS103 Creating Animatics

Building on the projects from Storyboards and The Pitch Process, students will learn tools to add pacing, timing and rough animation to their stories by creating animatics. Each animatic will be reviewed at the end of the module as students prepare to build 3D models.

AS104 Building an Animation Pipeline

Having an organized system is important for any 3D project, especially an animated short. Students discuss different strategies for managing these projects and experience multiple exercises to help aid in the creation of our animation pipeline system. Students will also develop a system based on their project assets and needs.

AS105 Stylized Modeling: Character

In this session students interpret the designs and concepts into fully realized 3D models. The focus is on maintaining a high level of quality both in the visual look and feel of the characters as well as in terms of the technical processes to follow. Students will learn how to create 3D models that will be functional for animation and unique to their story.

AS106 Stylized Modeling: Environments and Props

Utilizing previous knowledge, students will create advanced environments and props to further enhance the story. Students will learn how to model for feature animated productions as the instructor discusses the importance of modeling in terms of style and optimization with the use of textures and lighting. The characteristics of the environments as a storytelling tool will be explored, and students begin to breakdown their set designs into 3D meshes.

AS107 Texture Mapping I

Now that the models have been approved, they need to be prepped for shading and texturing. Students will prepare their models utilizing tools and tricks to layout UV maps. The UV maps will be using to paint skin, cloth and other material elements on to game assets.

AS108 Texture Mapping II

Once the characters and models have been approved the students will be ready to add color and texture. The students will discover how to implement new techniques and color theory concepts in order to communicate the story and maintain unity throughout the production process.

AS109 Technical Direction I

Through a series of lectures and hands-on instruction students will begin to build sophisticated systems for animating their characters, environments, lights, cameras and other miscellaneous objects that need to deform. Advanced rigging, expressions and tool building, with mel scripting will be demonstrated.

AS110 Technical Direction II

Building on the previous module, students will learn and create animation systems that are unique to their characters. The class will also explore alternative options for capturing animation and building face control.

AS111 Animation I: Blocking and Staging

Now that the characters and environments are complete, students begin blocking out the timing and camera placement for each shot. The class will learn how acting for animators and the principles of animation are crucial tools for properly communicating the story. Students will focus on combining and positioning the characters, environments and cameras together for each shot.

AS112 Animation II: Rough Animation

Continuing to adjust the animation from the previous module, students will begin roughing in the timing as they create a 3D animatic using their previous storyboards as a guide.

AS113 Animation III: Acting

Students continue to dig deeper into the motion of their character and start to sculpt out believable performances, ultimately creating the illusion of life. Students will also focus on animating the secondary elements within their scenes.

AS114 Lighting and Effects

In this session students will use various tools and techniques to add depth and mood through advanced lighting concepts. Students will investigate different methods for creating contrast, shadows and lighting effects. Through a series of lectures and demonstrations students will get a first-hand look at how to add special effects with Maya’s built in lighting, dynamics and particle systems. The addition of sound will also be covered as the class begins to work with the audio department to create foley sounds and music tracks.

AS115 Rendering and Post Production

The instructor will demonstrate different methods for exporting all of the scenes’ lighting and animation data for use in Adobe After Effects. Students will add further corrections, image enhancements and editing, learning different techniques for layering multiple passes and how to masking plays a big role in compositing the final images.

AS116 Final Edit

During this module, students will produce their animated sequences and piece together all of the animated shots and compositions that make up their short animated film. The class will learn how to export their films for final compressions. Each students film will be screened at a final school wide viewing.