SPRING 25 - 2D Animation Class WED 1p - 345p 15 Weeks
Professor Frederick Gardner (University of Texas at Dallas)
Course Information
Course Number/Section: Class 24774 / Course 000843
ANGM 3313.001.25S
Course Title: 2D Animation Spring Term 25S 1/22/25 - 5/7/25 WED 1P - 345P
Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions:
Some ability to draw traditionally on paper with pen or pencil and ability to draw digitally on Photoshop CC & Toon Boom Harmony using a stylus and Cintiq or graphic tablet. Drawing for Animation ANGM 2309 with a grade of B or better, and Instructor consent with Portfolio Review.
Course Description:
ANGM 3313 - 2D Animation (3 semester credit hours) 2D Animation introduces students to traditional 2D digital animation techniques using pencil/paper, Photoshop CC, Harmony, stylus and WACOM Cintiq. A solid foundation of animation principles and theories will be built before exploring more advanced topics such as weight, physicality, emotion, fx and basic character. Prerequisite: ANGM 2309 with a grade of B or better.
Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
Students will experience a professional studio environment, using the current software, tools and techniques to develop the movement of characters, props and environments from traditional pencil thumbnail through to final digital animation. Live action and animation movement mechanics will be studied and referenced as foundational skills are demonstrated in a studio setting. Notes may be given online and the discussion will continue throughout the week on Teams (online/phone app). It is your responsibility to take detailed notes everyday.
Required Textbooks and Materials:
The Animators Survival Kit (ISBN 978-0571238347) by Richard Williams
Required Materials:
Computer (MAC or PC) w/ Webcam, Microphone
Photoshop CC & Toon Boom Harmony
Stylus & Tablet or WACOM Cintiq
Portable Drive or USB Drive
Moleskin Sketchbook (Unruled)
Fine Point (or Extra Fine Point) Black Sharpie
Prismacolor Verithin & Prismacolor Pencils in Indigo Blue, Sepia or Black w/ Pencil Sharpener
Kneaded Eraser
Smartphone w/ Camera
Microsoft Teams software (for phone & computer)
** You are REQUIRED to use the PC, Cintiq and Software provided in the classroom
Suggested Course Materials:
The Illusion of Life (ISBN 0786860707) by Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston
The Nobel Approach (ISBN 1452102945) by Tod Polson
Drawn to Life (ISBN 978-1032104416) by Walt Stanchfield
Suggested Course Films:
Steamboat Willie (1928) Walt Disney
What’s Opera Doc? (1957) Warner Bros
A Bear For Punishment (1951) Warner Bros
Robin Hood Daffy (1958) Warner Bros
Sleeping Beauty (1959) Walt Disney
Muybridge Motion Studies (1884) Pennsylvania University
Get A Horse! (2013) Walt Disney
Mickey Mouse Series (2013-2018) Walt Disney
Primal (2019) Cartoon Network
Wall-E (2008) Pixar
Up! (2009) Pixar
Frozen (2013) Walt Disney
15 WEEK LECTURE OUTLINE (Lecture Topics may change at any time):
- SHAPE & MOTION - Foundations of Animation/Bouncing Ball
- CHARACTER IN DESIGN - Character Model Sheet/50 Circles
- CHARACTER TURN AROUND - Design Character Turn/Size Comparison
- BOUNCING BALL/ROLLING COIN - Pose to Pose Animation Ball, Rolling Coin, Timing Brackets
- SIZE COMP, WALK CYCLE, HAMMER STRIKE - Hammer Strike, Film Personal Walk Cycle, Timing, Muybridge Walk Cycles
- PS TURNTABLE, HARMONY TURNTABLE - Animate Character Turn in PS/Harmony
- WALK CYCLE, TIMING - Character Walk (Single & Double Bounce), Western & Japanese Walk, Timing, EX Sheets
- RUN CYCLE, JUMP, LAND (MID TERM) - Animate Character Run, Jump & Land, Stagger, Anticipation, Overlap
- ANIMATION TAKE, REACTION - Animate Various Expressions, Acting, Turn
- LIP SYNC, MUSIC BEATS, EX SHEETS - Dialogue Tracks, Music & Timing, Phonemes, Stylized Mouth Shapes, Whistle
- FX ANIMATION - Straight Ahead FX Animation: Fire, Electricity, Water, Smoke
- MULTIPLANE & PANS - Create Depth with 3 Planes, Ratio, OLs, ULs, OL/ULs & Pan BGs
- 2 CHARACTER INTERACTION - Characters Holding Each Other/Fighting, Multi Interaction, BG Interaction (Props)
- ANIMAL LOCOMOTION - Muybridge Animal Motion, 4 Legs, Fins, Wings and No Legs
- FINAL PRESENTATION - Final Pitch of Animation Portfolio to Jury Final Grade, Portfolio
Assessment, Assemble a Portfolio Reel, Online Presence
LIFE DRAWING, GESTURE & PLEIN AIR SKETCHING:
Life Drawing is available on Wednesdays in the Life Drawing Studio (4th Floor) 10-1115a at Standing Easels based on Availability. Live Model provided. Bring Newsprint (18x24") & Vine or Willow Charcoal w/ Chamois.
Gesture Sketching is always available at the Student Union Mon - Fri. Take advantage of the students lounging in the area and try capturing 2 or more students, sharing the same space. Bring Moleskin Sketchbook, Ultra Fine Point Sharpie and 20% Gray Marker (Tombow Brushpen Cool or Warm Gray 2).
Plein Air Sketching is offered several times a semester at the Texas State Fair, Tiger Refuge, Dallas Arboretum or Zoo. At these locations, you will be given the opportunity to Gesture Sketch animals in a semi-natural environment and study their motion and biomechanics. Schedule to be announced in the first weeks of the semester. Gesture Sketching done in Moleskin Sketchbook, Ultra Fine Point Sharpie, 20% Gray Marker or pencil.
ANIMATION REFERENCE -
"Steamboat Willie" (Walt Disney) 1928
"Robin Hood Daffy" (Warner Bros) 1958
"Sleeping Beauty" (Walt Disney) 1958
"A Bear for Punishment" (Warner Bros) 1951
"What is Motion - Eadweard Muybridge" (Cantor Arts Center) 2017
2D Animation Poster Annotation - Animation and/or Animation Layout by Frederick Gardner
- Upper Left Image - "Teca Pyramid - Puma Golum Transformation A - v001" from "Maya and the Three" (Netflix Animation) 2019
- Upper Middle Image - "Orchid Bay Street - Ming's Restaurant" from "The Life and Times of Juniper Lee" (Cartoon Network) 2004 Emmy Winner
- Upper Right Image - "London Graveyard - End of Path" from "Tom & Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes" (Warner Bros Animation) 2009
- Bottom Left Image - "London Graveyard Angel w/ Diamond" from "Tom & Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes" (Warner Bros Animation) 2009
- Bottom Upper Right Image - "Sundae Bloody Sundae" from "The Simpsons - Oh Brother Where Art Thou" Season 2 (Klasky Csupo/Fox) 1991
- Bottom Lower Right Image - "Desert Mountains (EXT) PAN" from "The Powerpuff Girls" (Cartoon Network) 2004 Emmy Winner
