PORTFOLIO BUILDER/ANIMATION BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - UTD BASS SCHOOL

 

FALL 25 - Portfolio Builder / Animation Business Development FRI 1p - 345p 15 Weeks

Professor Frederick Gardner (University of Texas at Dallas)

Course Information
Course Number/Section: Class 89228 / Course 000

ANGM 4379.003.25F
Course Title: Portfolio Builder/Animation Business Development (Topics in Games) FALL Term 25F 8/25/25 - 12/9/25 FRI 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 4379 - Portfolio Builder  (3 semester credit hours) Animation Business Development introduces students to the concept of developing a successful Animation Design portfolio and starting a Sole Proprietorship/Independent Contractor business before you start freelancing in the Industry. The class will focus on getting you to create a professional printed Portfolio of your work in Animation, design a Business Logo, Business Card and Resume, start an online Portfolio and Website and send your finished Portfolio Package to a number of studios in Hollywood for review in application for a job. Once a year, the class will travel to California for the LightBox Expo, which is a gathering of professional artists and studios from around the world, reviewing portfolios and accepting applications. This event is unique in the Animation and Games Industry.

The second half of the semester will guide you through the process of starting your own Independent Contractor or Sole Proprietorship business by filing your application for a fictitious name in Texas, writing a Business Plan, registering that Business Name in the County and taking your documents to the bank to start your own small business as a freelancer in the Animation Industry. By starting your Freelance Business in college, you are establishing credit and setting yourself up to work immediately if you get a job offer from a studio outside of Texas.

Other topics covered in my class include Writing Off Small Business Expenses like travel, art books and movies, Networking, Joining and Working in the Animation Guild (Union), Union Wages, Continuing Education and Acing your Job Interview. Prerequisite: ANGM 2309 with a grade of B or better.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes:

I will be escorting students from the Portfolio Builder Class (ANGM 4379-002) to Pasadena, CA for the Lightbox Expo 2024 (not required) where they will have first hand experience networking with Animation and SPFX Pros and get the rare opportunity to get their portfolios reviewed by HR Representatives from the major studios in Hollywood. While in the area, I will take the students to the productions studios in the area like, Disney, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Netflix, Universal and Warner Bros. I will be available to guide and mentor the students on this exciting and inspiring trip.

Meeting Times are FRIDAYS, 1P - 345P with additional fluid days that may be rescheduled if needed. Notes may be given online and the discussion will continue throughout the course on Teams (online/phone app). It is your responsibility to take detailed notes everyday. 



LIGHTBOX 2025 is the ultimate gathering of artists who work in the entertainment industry bringing your favorite films, animation, games, TV shows and illustrations to life.

LIGHTBOX 2025 is happening in Pasadena, CA at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday, OCT 24 to Sunday, OCT 26 from 12P - 5P. 

https://lightboxexpo.com/

LightBox Expo badges are non-refundable but are 100% transferrable. LightBox Badges will be available with a special UTD Discount. Please check with Prof Gardner BEFORE purchasing. Book your flight and hotel early to avoid sold out venues. Reservations MUST be made in advance for any Studio Portfolio Review. 

Join hundreds of the best artists from around the world as we come together for the ultimate celebration of art. Meet the artists behind your favorite things, join in live panels with the top talent in the industry, get a portfolio review, shop the incredible artist alley and so much more!

Required Textbooks and Materials:
The Animators Survival Kit (ISBN  978-0571238347) by Richard Williams (2012)

Required Materials:
Computer (MAC or PC) w/ Webcam, Microphone 
Photoshop CC 
MOO.com (for Business Card Design)
Blurb.com (for Portfolio Design & Printing)
Blogger.com (for Online Portfolio Blog Design)
Squarespace.com (for Online Portfolio Website Design)
Popl.co (Industry Standard for Digital Business Cards)
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 (1995)
The Nobel Approach (ISBN 1452102945) by Tod Polson (2013)
Drawn to Life (ISBN 978-1032104416) by Walt Stanchfield (2023)

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):

- LOG LINE - Foundations of Animation/Bouncing Ball

- MAIN CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT - Character Model Sheet/50 Circles

- HERO'S FAMILY/PROTAGONISTS - Design Character Turn/Size Comparison

- VILLAIN/ANTAGONISTS - Pose to Pose Animation Ball, Rolling Coin, Timing Brackets

- WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN & WHY? - Hammer Strike, Film Personal Walk Cycle, Timing, Muybridge Walk Cycles

- LOCATION SCOUTING/GENRE - Animate Character Turn in PS/Harmony

- CHARACTER SIZE COMP - Character Walk (Single & Double Bounce), Western & Japanese Walk, Timing, EX Sheets

- LOCATION REFERENCE STUDIES - Animate Character Run, Jump & Land, Stagger, Anticipation, Overlap

- SHAPE LANGUAGE/COLOR THEORY - Animate Various Expressions, Acting, Turn

- HERO'S HOUSE/WORLD - Dialogue Tracks, Music & Timing, Phonemes, Stylized Mouth Shapes, Whistle

- VILLAIN'S LAIR/WORLD, GOOD vs EVIL - Straight Ahead FX Animation: Fire, Electricity, Water, Smoke

- STORY BEATS/COLOR THEORY - Create Depth with 3 Planes, Ratio, OLs, ULs, OL/ULs & Pan BGs

- STORY EDIT/DEVELOP THEME/MEANING - Characters Holding Each Other/Fighting, Multi Interaction, BG Interaction (Props)

- LOCATION DEVELOPMENT/MAP/INTERIORS - Muybridge Animal Motion, 4 Legs, Fins, Wings and No Legs

- LOGO & POSTER - Final Pitch of Animation Portfolio to Jury Final Grade, Portfolio
Assessment, Assemble a Portfolio Reel, Online Presence

- ADVERTISING/MARKETING - Final Pitch Cards, Posters, Displays to Promote Short Concept Possibilities

- PRESENTATION BOOK/REEL/WEBSITE- Final Pitch of Animation Portfolio to Jury Final Grade, Portfolio Assessment, Assemble a Portfolio Reel, Online Presence, Children's Book, Art of Sketchbook

LIFE DRAWING, GESTURE & PLEIN AIR SKETCHING:

Life Drawing (Included) 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 (Included) 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 (Included) 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 -

Children's Books, Lore & Legends, Historical Reference, Parables & Poetry, Music & Jokes can all serve as inspiration for your Capstone Concept. I highly recommend that if you are signed up for a Travel Abroad Course over the Summer, you use that Cultural Exploration as an ingredient to creating the foundation for your capstone. Avoid copying or being influenced by current or recent Pop Culture references, films, games or music. You can add a small bit of that at the end if needed. Base your initial concept on something familiar or personal in some way.