Special Topics in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information
Instructor
Jaime Carrillo (Curriculum Vitae)Phone
<p>806-345-5547</p>Office Location
Parcells Hall – 313E
Office Hours
Monday and Wednesday
09:00 - 11:45 am - By Appointment Only
3:30 - 5:00 pm - In Office (schedule your appointment please)
Tuesday and Thursday
Not Available
Friday - By Appointment Only
The best way to contact me is via email. Please allow at least 24 hours for emails to be returned. More time may be needed if emails are received on nights or weekends.
Course Information
Recording Policy
Disability Statement
Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.
Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:
Administrative Drop Policy
N/A
Student Withdrawal Procedures
N/A
Privacy Statement
The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
Course
ARTC-1394-001 Special Topics in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects
Prerequisites
Prerequisites: ARTC 1325 and ARTC 1327 or instructor consent
Course Description
Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. This course was designed to be repeated multiple times to improve student proficiency. Â
Student Resources Student Resources Website
Department Expectations
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Hours
(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)
Class Type
On Campus Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
One book will be required for this course. Not all 14 lessons of this book will be assigned so I recommend renting the ebook/EPUB version of this book. The ISBN number below is for the digital version of the book.
Adobe After Effects CC Classroom in a Book (2014 release)
By Andrew Faulkner, Brie Gyncild Published Dec 12, 2014 by Adobe Press.
ISBN-10: 0-13-392715-6 ISBN-13: 978-0-13-392715-3
Course assignments and projects are subject to change due to weather and the amount of time it may take to complete some of the projects. If deadlines are changed, the calendar will be updated and an email will be sent notifying you of the updated deadline.
I will provide content for most of the class projects. For all others, I will assist you the best I can in helping you find resources to complete your projects.
I suggest these resources to help guide you in learning the software for this class: Sites with free and pay as you go tutorials:
www.videocopilot.net
www.creativecow.net
www.videohive.net
www.lynda.com
Supplies
A flash drive with a minimum storage capacity of 64
Student Performance
Specific Course Description:
Learn the core basics of Adobe Premiere. Importing, exporting, editing, color correcting and compositing video clips.
Learn the fundamentals of motion graphics using After Effects.
Creating new compositions and understanding the settings.
When creating new layers, it’s important to keep them organized and we’ll take a look at all of the settings to reduce the intimidation factor.
Understanding the timeline. There are multiple ways to preview it, adjust it’s settings and we’ll know all of it’s secrets… eventually.
Keyframing! This is what it is all about. We will learn how to set, select, deselect, add, delete, and edit their values just to name a few.
We will learn how to preview clips in After Effects.
Students will learn how to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills learned from Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign. Explore kinetic typography, custom logo animations, create 3D scenes and virtual environments for broadcast, web, and other digital video media sources. Learn how to export these animations for various devices.
Students will demonstrate acquired knowledge of editing audio clips together with the correct software while applying filters and or transitions, adding noise cancelling plugins, leveling the clips to have a uniform waveform to minimize clipping and exporting it with the correct broadcast quality export settings.
Specific End-of-Course Outcomes: Students will effectively demonstrate knowledge of motion graphics and mastery of the basics of After Effects by creating a multi-layered graphic (logo for example) in Illustrator or Photoshop and prepare it for animation. With proper planning, gathering of all the necessary elements, the student will create a short motion graphic animation that will incorporate music, sound effects, and will be exported to multiple formats and uploaded to an online video host (youtube) and presented in front of the class and critiqued.
Students Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesLog in using the AC Connect Portal
In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .
If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".
Expected Student Behavior
WHILE IN CLASS: A student friendly environment is needed for learning. There are a few guidelines each student must adhere to:
1). NO eating or drinking in the lab.
2). Class time is NOT the time to be checking your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or other social
networking sites ESPECIALLY if you are not caught up on your assignments.
If you have time to socialize, then I assume you are caught up on your assignments. Time
management is your responsibility, not mine.
3). If you have to use a cell phone, please step outside for personal calls and keep texting to a MINIMUM.
Excessive texting WILL affect your participation grade especially if we are working on an in-class tutorial.
4). No overly crass or crude topics of conversation. Please keep your derogatory opinions to yourself.
5). If you are not caught up or finished… Do not ask to leave early. Take this time to get caught up or ahead.
Labs are open until 10 pm. Take advantage of it.
6). Take Pride In Your Work. DO NOT CHEAT!!!
7). Help those around you.
PLAGIARISM: The student understands that plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Plagiarism is defined by the Amarillo College Student Handbook as: “...the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.” This also includes copying Internet or written sources in any course assignment discussions or projects without citing the source, as well as copying another student’s work for this course. If a student is found plagiarizing any material in the course, it will result in a grade of "0" for that assignment discussion or project and can result in disciplinary action and expulsion of the student from the course.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Students must be aware and responsible for the Copyright Notice for the course: The materials on this course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for the purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.
DROPPING, WITHDRAWING, AND NON-CREDIT STATUS: The student is responsible for dropping courses, withdrawing from college by the last day to drop a course, changing to non-credit status, etc., if the need arises. See the Amarillo College master calendar on the AC website and our course calendar for the date of the last day to drop a course. The instructor will not drop any student after the last day to drop a course. (this may change)
Grading Criteria
The alphabet system explained in the Amarillo College Catalog. It should be noted that a minimum grade of “C” is required as a prerequisite for advanced courses in studio art.
Having the proper tools the student will complete all tasks required. The instructor will provide lecture, demonstration and or group discussion to help the student complete each task.
The course grade will be determined by the student’s attendance record, attitude in class, work ethics and industry standard quality of assignments.
Industry Standards are as follows.
Symbol Percentage
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F Below 60
NO EXCEPTIONS! - Late work violates industry standards; therefore, a grade of “F” will be given to the student.
NO EXCEPTIONS! - Anyone caught cheating or plagiarizing copyright material will receive an “F” for the class.
Course Grade (Total average) is weighed as follows:
Lessons = 30% of your average
Projects = 30% of your average
Final Project = 40% of your average
The final project will be graded on a combination of skills learned throughout the course. For example: Color correction, Motion graphics, use and implementation of transitions, the formats in which the final video file was exported. Other criteria will be covered throughout the semester as projects are assigned.
Attendance
Students are allowed one (1) week of absences from class.
Student’s final grade will be lowered by one letter grade for each additional week missed.
One point off final grade average for every week of tardiness.
3 absences = NO ACTION 2 tardiness = 1 POINT OFF FINAL GRADE
4 absences = 1 LETTER GRADE 4 tardiness = 2 POINTS OFF FINAL GRADE
6 absences = 2 LETTER GRADES 6 tardiness = 3 POINTS OFF FINAL GRADE
7 absences = DROP FROM CLASS OR RECEIVE AN "F" FOR THE SEMESTER
Calendar
(Due dates for the lessons and projects may change, lessons and projects may be added or dropped depending on time constraints, weather, holidays, and the amount of time it takes to complete the projects assigned. You will be given notice of any changes ahead of time)
Week 1: Syllabus / Introductions / Getting started
Tues. Aug. 25 - Syllabus / Class introductions
Review the syllabus
Introduce ourselves and ask any questions about the course
See what Premiere and After Effects can do
Thurs. Aug. 27 - The importance of keeping your media organized and backed up
File structure / Organizing media / Creating project templates / Save and save often
Finding resources, inspiration, tutorials, and examples.
Opening Premiere Pro - touring the interface
Week 2: PREMIERE PRO (the first time)
Tues. Sept. 1 - Basic Editing
Exploring the work area
Setting up a Project - Setting up a sequence
Cache settings
Bins / Customizing the workspace /
Timeline – Importing video and images and creating image sequences
Using basic tools - Cut tools – Snap tool – plus a few keyboard shortcuts to get you started
Playback resolution (source monitor and program monitor - paused vs playback)
Possibly hear from guest speaker (Creative Services Director from KAMR - FOX 14)
Thurs. Sept. 3 - Continuing to Explore Premiere
Navigating, previewing, and modifying clips before adding them to the timeline
Drag and drop media / When it is OK to do and when it not recommended.
Reviewing the source monitor and its controls
Understanding markers - adding markers - Mark in - Mark out etc…
Creating Sub-clips
Finding gaps in the Timeline - common mistakes that can cost you precious time
Discovering Transitions
A/B mode / Understanding the correct amount of footage needed for a smooth transition
Setting in and out points, clearing in and out points, time line ruler, etc…
Week 3: Editing Audio
Tues. Sept. 1 - Editing and mixing audio
Explore the fundamentals of mixing audio in Premiere
Familiarize ourselves with the Audio Mixer and meter.
Explore the effects and effect controls panel
Learn the multiple ways to adjust the audio using the control panel,
gain controls, volume controls, keyframes, and context menu.
Normalize audio
Work with the Audio mixer
Thurs. Sept. 3 - Sweetening the Sound
Making adjustments in Premiere to make the audio sound better
Adjust the bass, delay, pitch, treble, reverb, and EQ.
Creating mixes and adjusting channels
Applying effects and cleaning up noise
Week 4: Advanced Editing Techniques
Tues. Sept. 8 - NO MORE TRAINING WHEELS! (let’s put the knowledge to the test)
Selecting audio or video only - Splitting a clip
Linking and unlinking clips / Moving, rearranging, and dragging clips / delete and ripple delete
Performing a four point edit
Changing the speed and duration of clips on the timeline
replacing clips on the timeline with new shots
Creating nested sequences / Trimming media and refining edits
Slip and Slide edits
Using Titler / importing images, text rolls, crawls, inserting shapes and logos, aligning, distributing, using presets
Color correction and grading / color adjustments and color balance
Basic compositing, Keying, green screen and working with alpha channels.
Thurs. Sept. 10 - Critical thinking / Exporting Frames, Clips, and Sequences
Edit smarter - Problem solving - create solutions based on what we’ve learned so far
Tell a story with some footage given to you, add sound effects and music
Demonstrate proper file structure and organization. Maintain good audio levels, and have fun with it.
Export the media using Media Encoder (various export settings and formats for multiple devices and platforms)
Project Manager - backing up, collecting and trimming your projects.
Week 5: AFTER EFFECTS
Tues. Sept. 15 - An Introduction to Motion Graphics
First we will explore the work area and tool panels and get familiar with After Effects
Recognize the similarities and differences between Premiere and After Effects
Discuss the advantages of being able to integrate layered files from Illustrator and Photoshop and the advantages that
both formats present as well as their disadvantages.
Discuss the importance of planning ahead and staying organized to avoid missing deadlines.
Thurs. Sept. 17 - Basic Animation Using Effects + Presets
Create a basic animation using a preexisting graphic.
Import elements from Illustrator. Apply preset effects and modify them
Precompose the layers to create a new animation
Create a Ram Preview
Adjust the Render Settings
Explore and customize this animation (make it your own)
Week 6: Text Animation
Tues. Sept. 22 - Creating Type Animations
Understanding title safe area
Character panel / keyboard shortcuts
Adding text to the scene / scaling text using character panel
Color, gradients, stroke weights, lighting effects, leading and kerning
Adjusting the text on X and Y axis creating keyframes / applying easy ease
Adding motion blur - ram preview - adjust timing
Thurs. Sept. 24 - More Type Animation
Create and recreate short text animations
Convert text from Photoshop and Illustrator, Create shape from text
Using solids, create background, vignette, and create a pre-comp to make another animation
Add masks to create a mask reveal.
Add images for texture
Add sound effects / adjust levels
Adjust keyframes, ram preview / export.
Week 7: Positioning Shapes and Layers in 3D space
Tues. Sept. 29 - Understanding 3D in After Effects
Exploring the camera, nulll objects, lights and adjusting the material options.
Positioning layers in 3D space.
Parenting objects together, Pick Whip, and the graph editor
Animating the cameras. Creating DOF. Faking Depth of field
Exploring the ray-traced 3D renderer.
Adjusting the resolution settings in the preview panel for faster playback.
Purging the Memory and Disk Cache
Working with multiple layers. Turning “shy” mode on and off
Thurs. Oct. 1 - 3D Motion Graphics (Continued)
Key framing the camera in a 3D environment
Pan Behind (Anchor Point) Tool
Moving the Anchor point on an object/text to rotate in 3D space.
Applying preset animations. Modifying the presets.
Creating custom animations.
Adding lights to a 3D scene
Adding lens flares. (limitations in 3D space)
Week 8: Kinetic Typography (2 week project)
Tues. Oct. 6 - Begin short Kinetic Typography Project
Find sound bite for Kinetic Typography Project (must be approved by Instructor)
Research and find examples of Kinetic typography animations for inspiration.
Begin working on Kinetic Typography Project
Thurs. Oct. 8 - Kinetic Typography (Continued)
Week 9: Kinetic Typography (Continued)
Tues. Oct. 13 - Kinetic Typography (Continued)
Wrapping up the project
Checking for timing issues.
Double check that files are saved properly.
Prepare for export
Thurs. Oct. 15 - Finish, Render, Export / Begin (by the beginning of class)
Export animation(s)
Begin Logo / Title animation Project
Look at examples of logo animations in class
Recreate a one second logo animation (together in class)
Week 10: Logo / Title Animation Project
Tues. Oct. 20 - Logo / Title Animation Project (one week)
Recreate another one second logo animation (on your own)
Critical problem solving. Engaging the student to think the project through
from beginning to end.
Recreate artwork using Illustrator or Photoshop. Break apart in layers for animation.
Import into After Effects.
Thurs. Oct. 22 - Logo / Title Animation Project (continued)
Create the sequence using similar settings to the one you are recreating.
Find similar music, background image / or video and add sound effects.
Finish, Render, and Export
Week 11: COMPOSITING / GREEN SCREEN
Tues. Oct. 27 - COMPOSITING / GREEN SCREEN
Learning the basics of compositing (work on a project together in class)
Compositing using Premiere and After Effects (comparing)
Creating a composition using green screen footage in AE
Merging multiple sources (keeping track of the stacking order)
Review animation techniques - (key framing while using pre-comps and master comps)
Thurs. Oct. 29 - COMPOSITING / GREEN SCREEN
Create a composite animation with the footage given to you.
A clean “key” is a must. Demonstrate the proper use of pre-comps.
Create a master composition for the final render
Week 12: Begin planning and gathering elements for final project
Tues. Nov. 3 - Logo Animation / Opener / Stinger / OR Kinetic Typography
Details: Pre-approved background image or video allowed.
Set in a 3D scene. Add camera, null objects and lights are recommended.
Either the camera, the scene itself, or the objects that you have used in your project must be animated.
There must be some movement - this is a motion graphics class - apply what you have learned this semester!
The final audio will be mixed down in Premiere.
Animation must be :10-:15 seconds long with music and sfx. More details to follow.
Thurs. Nov. 5 - Beging Final Project
Week 13:
Tues. Nov. 10 - Work on Final project in class
Thurs. Nov. 12 - Work on Final project in class
Week 14: (NOV. 17 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW/DROP)
Tues. Work on Final project in class
Thurs. Nov. 19 - Work on Final project in class
Week 15:
Tues. Nov. 24 - Work on Final project in class
Thurs. Nov. 26 - THANKSGIVING / HOLIDAY
Week 16:
Tues. Dec. 1 - Work on Final project in class
Thurs. Dec. 3 - Final Project - PRESENTATION DAY
(All previous assignments must be turned in no later than today for grading - no exceptions)
Week 17: FINALS (Finals Due Dec. 8)
Tues. Dec. 8 - Finals week
All of the elements used to create your final motion graphics animation will be due on this day
and should be saved using the projects folder file structure learned and during the semester.
A mandatory presentation and critique of your animation will take place on the 3rd as part of
your final grade. You will also upload your animation online with a hidden link for private
viewing as part of this assignment. More details to follow.
Thurs. Dec. 9 - Finals week
ALL GRADES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON DEC. 11
Additional Information
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Syllabus Created on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM
Last Edited on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM