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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
F/TV D070A
Course Title (CB02)
The Storyboard and Visual Development for Animation
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Course Description
Techniques of animation pre-production as applied to story development, character design, storyboards, environment, and prop design, with application to both digital and traditional rendering techniques.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable. It is part of the AA Degree in Film/Television: Animation, as well as the CTE program in Animation. This course teaches basic animation techniques and meets student demand in film and video production skill-sets.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.55.0
Laboratory Hours1.50.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
30.0
Laboratory
18.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
60.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
60.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

F/TV D067A

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Critique of student production work

Collaborative projects

Frame-by-frame analysis of professional work

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Field trips

Guest speakers

Assignments

  1. Drawing and design exercises to produce model sheets of original characters and props
  2. Drawing and design exercises to produce original environment concept art.
  3. Create an original storyboard using principles of cinematography and visual storytelling

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Model sheets demonstrating the student's ability to design unique props and appealing characters suitable for animation. The assignment will require usage of contrast, strong posing, figure construction, personality, and facial expressions.
  2. Environment concept art demonstrating the student's ability to create spatial depth using staging, color, tone, and camera effects.
  3. The final project will be a presentation-quality storyboard demonstrating the student's ability to tell a story using the principles of cinematography and visual storytelling.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Materials for drawing, paper, colored pencils, erasers, and other art materials selected by students
  • Personal media storage device for backing up and transporting digital files
Essential College Facilities:
  • Computer lab with workstations equipped with digital drawing software; digital drawing input devices; large bulletin board; drawing tables; high-resolution flatbed scanner

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Begleiter, Marcie. "From Word to Image: Storyboarding and the Filmmaking Process". 2nd Edition. Michael Wiese Productions, 2010.
Bluth, Don. "Don Bluth's Art of Storyboard". DH Press, 2004.
Glebas, Francis. "Directing the Story: Professional Storytelling and Storyboarding Techniques for Live Action and Animation." MA: Focal Press, 2012
Cooper, Pat and Dancyger, "Writing the Short Film". 3rd edition. MA: Focal Press, 2012
Block, Bruce. "The Visual Story". 2nd Edition. MA: Focal Press, 2008

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Beiman, Nancy. "Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts". 2nd Edition. MA: Focal Press, 2012.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Examine and identify animation pre-production techniques used for developing a cinematic visual story.
  • Examine and apply design principles necessary for creating original props and characters suitable for animation.
  • Produce original character and prop model sheets using traditional and digital drawing techniques.
  • Apply cinematic design principles to create spatial depth in original works of environment concept art.
  • Apply principles of cinematography and visual storytelling to produce an original storyboard.
  • Examine the vocational opportunities in the field of storyboard artist/art director.

CSLOs

  • Apply principles of cinematography and visual storytelling using storyboard panels.

Outline

  1. Examine and identify animation pre-production techniques used for developing a cinematic visual story.
    1. Story function
    2. Narrative structure, back story and plot
    3. Situation and character driven stories
    4. Research and visual aids
    5. Perspective and staging
    6. Framing and composition
    7. Function and movement for story
    8. Art direction and storytelling
  2. Examine and apply design principles necessary for creating original props and characters suitable for animation.
    1. Character biography
    2. Drawing for readibility
    3. Silhouettes
    4. Foundation shapes
    5. Scale and contrast
    6. Tonal sketches
    7. Gestures and body language
    8. Facial performance, emotions and moods
    9. Props and character personality
    10. Model sheets and thumbnails
  3. Produce original character and prop model sheets using traditional and digital drawing techniques.
    1. Scanning artwork
    2. Digital drawing tools
    3. Using a grid
    4. Color symbolism
    5. Digital brushes and filters
    6. Digital painting
    7. Painting with layers
  4. Apply cinematic design principles to create spatial depth in original works of environment concept art.
    1. Lighting effects, shadows and mood
    2. Camera framing
    3. POV
    4. Location and color
    5. Foreground, mid-ground, background
    6. Camera lens effects
  5. Apply principles of cinematography and visual storytelling to produce an original storyboard.
    1. Composition and spatial connections
    2. Drawing camera moves and transitions
    3. Staging and posing
    4. Story beats
    5. Editing, temporal connections, continuity
  6. Examine the vocational opportunities in the field of storyboard artist/art director.
    1. Build a portfolio suitable for a position as a storyboard artist.
    2. Tips and advice from professional storyboard artists.

Lab Topics

  1. Digitizing and layouts
  2. Compositing and layers
  3. Digital drawing and painting
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