USC Schedule of Classes

Animation (CTAN)

• http://cinema.usc.edu/animation
• Fall and spring semester D class assignments are available in the Animation and Digital Arts Office in SCB210D; phone (213) 740-3986. Your D clearance will only be effective until its expiration date and all elective courses will change from 'D' to 'R' after the end of early registration. For summer classes, contact the Summer Program Office in SCA250, phone (213) 740-3327. YOU MUST ATTEND THE FIRST SESSION of each course or you may be replaced by a student on the waiting list, even if you are registered. Fall and spring semester D class assignments are available in the Animation and Digital Arts Office in SCB210D; phone (213) 740-3986. Your D clearance will only be effective until its expiration date and all elective courses will change from 'D' to 'R' after the end of early registration. For summer classes, contact the Summer Program Office in SCA250, phone (213) 740-3327. YOU MUST ATTEND THE FIRST SESSION of each course or you may be replaced by a student on the waiting list, even if you are registered.

CTAN 101L: Introduction to the Art of Animation (2.0 units)

Theory and practice of animation across organic and digital media with an emphasis on self-exploration. Open to freshman in Animation and Digital Arts majors only.

• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts
• Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Freshmen

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17853D	001	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Tuesday	15 of 15	Marcel Valcarce,	SCB102
			1:00-3:50pm	Thursday		Michael Patterson	SCB207

CTAN 201L: Intermediate Animation Production (3.0 units)

Tools, skills and procedures used in animation production with a focus on professional execution of independent and collaborative productions. Prerequisite: CTAN 102. Open to sophomore animation majors only.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 102
• Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Sophomore
• Restriction: Registration open to the following school(s): School of Cinematic Arts

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17855D	001	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Monday	17 of 17	Trixy Wattenbarger	SCB102

CTAN 301L: 3-D Character Performance Animation (3.0 units)

Advanced 3-D character animation with an emphasis on performance, lip-syncing, timing and execution. Prerequisite: CTAN 202L. Open only to juniors in Animation and Digital Arts.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 202
• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts
• Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Junior

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17876D	001	Lecture-Lab	9:00-11:50am	Monday	10 of 10	Angie Jones	SCB102
			1:00-3:50pm	Wednesday			SCB102

CTAN 305: Professionalism of Animation (2.0 units)

Understanding the business of the animation industry. Developing presentation skills for interviewing and pitching, preparing personal marketing tools, researching employment opportunities, and practicing networking techniques.

• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17872D	001	Lecture	4:00-6:50pm	Monday	19 of 19	Angie Jones	SCB207

CTAN 330: Animation Fundamentals (2.0 units)

An introduction to the fundamentals of animation, covering such topics as timing, anticipation, reaction, overlapping action, and metamorphosis.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17854R	001	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Tuesday	16 of 16	Laura Yilmaz	SCB205

CTAN 401a: Senior Project (4.0 units)

a: Understanding the requirements and relationships between theory and practice regarding the complexity of an animated film in idea and execution. Open to senior animation majors only.

• Prerequisite: (CTAN 302 and CTAN 336)
• Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Senior
• Restriction: Registration open to the following school(s): School of Cinematic Arts

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17873D	001	Lecture-Lab	9:00-11:50am	Tuesday	19 of 19	Trixy Wattenbarger	SCB207

CTAN 410: Audio Design for Animation and Immersive Media (2.0 units)

Experimental and traditional audio design practices for animation, culminating in an immersive audio project utilizing acoustic design, surround sound, and professional recording and editing tools.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17875R	001	Lecture	4:00-6:50pm	Thursday	7 of 14	Bethany Sparks	SCB102

CTAN 420: Concept Design for Animation (2.0 units)

Creating characters and environments for animation, live action, and video games.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17917R	001	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Thursday	15 of 15	John Mahoney	SCB101

CTAN 435: Story Art Development (2.0 units)

Using basic storyboarding techniques to develop a sense of character, plot, and continuity. Technical aspects of developing ideas into films.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17912R	001	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Thursday	16 of 16	Tom Sito	SCB205

CTAN 436: Writing for Animation (2.0 units)

Workshop exploring concept and structure of long and short form animated films through practical writing exercises.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17862R	001	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Thursday	15 of 15	Elizabeth Brauer	SCB304
17865R	001	Lecture	10:00-12:50pm	Monday	16 of 16	Elizabeth Brauer	SCB304

CTAN 443L: Character Development for 3-D Animation and Games (2.0 units)

Development, modeling, and animation with an emphasis on character setup features: rigging, skeletons, deformers, and scripting. Applying principles of traditional animation to 3-D character rig/puppet.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 452

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17864R	001	Lecture-Lab	4:00-6:50pm	Tuesday	12 of 15	Teddy Yang	SCB102
			9:00-11:50am	Friday			SCA356

CTAN 448: Introduction to Film Graphics - Animation (4.0 units)

An introduction to methods for creating analog animation through experimentation with imagery, concepts and materials. Emphasis on basic timing principles and hands-on techniques.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17868R	001	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Friday	14 of 15	Sheila Sofian	SCB205

CTAN 450a: Animation Theory and Techniques (2.0 units)

Methods for creating animation blending traditional techniques with contemporary technologies.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17874R	001	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Wednesday	Canceled
			9:00-11:50am	Friday

CTAN 450b: Animation Theory and Techniques (2.0 units)

Instruction in methods for planning and executing a short animated film. Topics covered include storyboarding, visual development and production planning.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 450A

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17880D	001	Lecture	4:00-5:50pm	Wednesday	8 of 15	Everett Lewis	RZC117

CTAN 451: History of Animation (2.0 units)

In depth survey of historical developments, styles, techniques, theory and criticism of animation as an art form.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17888R	001	Lecture	9:30-12:20pm	Friday	65 of 130	Christine Panushka	SCA108

CTAN 452: Introduction to 3-D Computer Animation (2.0 units, max 4)

Lecture and laboratory in computer animation: geometric modeling, motion specification, lighting, texture mapping, rendering, compositing, production techniques, systems for computer-synthesized animation.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17892R	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-10:00pm	Tuesday	15 of 15	Dariush Derakhshani	SCB102
			1:00-3:50pm	Friday			SCB102
17893R	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Thursday	15 of 15	Dariush Derakhshani	SCB102
			1:00-3:50pm	Friday			SCB102
17894R	001	Lecture-Lab	4:00-6:50pm	Monday	13 of 15	Marcel Valcarce	SCB102
			7:00-10:00pm	Monday			RZC117

CTAN 455L: Organic Modeling for Animation (2.0 units)

The art of digital sculpting for animated characters, with visual effects integration. Recommended preparation: CTAN 452 or CTAN 462.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17897R	001	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Thursday	13 of 15	John Mahoney	SCB102
			1:00-3:50pm	Friday			SCA356

CTAN 462: Visual Effects (2.0 units)

Survey of contemporary concepts and approaches to production in the current state of film and video effects work. Digital and traditional methodologies will be covered, with a concentration on digital exercises illustrating modern techniques.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17901R	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Wednesday	14 of 15	Frederic Durand	RZC117
			1:00-3:50pm	Friday			RZC117

CTAN 464L: Digital Lighting and Rendering (2.0 units)

Concepts, tools and techniques used to create cinematic lighting and rendering in computer-generated imagery (CGI).

• Prerequisite: 1 from (CTAN 452 or CTAN 462)

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17909R	001	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Tuesday	15 of 15	Eric Hanson	RZC117	PDF (512333 KB)
			7:00-9:50pm	Thursday			RZC117

CTAN 485L: Pipeline and Character Modeling for Animation (2.0 units)

Modeling and pipeline integration for 3-D animation props, sets and characters. Recommended preparation: Prior knowledge of Maya preferred.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17918R	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Friday	16 of 16	Ramiro Cazaux	SCB102

CTAN 496: Directed Studies (2.0 units)

Individual research under faculty guidance.

• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17908D	001	Lecture	TBA	TBA	8 of 12	Tom Sito	OFFICE

CTAN 502L: Experiments in Immersive Design (2.0 units)

An in-depth exploration of aesthetics and techniques involved in the conceptualization, design andcreation of immersive media and stereoscopic imaging. (Duplicates credit in former CTAN 502a)

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17916R	037	Lecture-Lab	9:00-11:50am	Wednesday	15 of 15	Eric Hanson	RZC117	PDF (129964 KB)
			10:00-12:50pm	Friday			RZC117

CTAN 505: The Business of Animation (2.0 units)

Professional knowledge and application of fundamental business skills associated with working in the animation industry, academia or the arts.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17921D	037	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Monday	13 of 13	Richard Goldsmith	SCB205

CTAN 522: Animation Department Seminar (1.0 units, max 6)

A weekly seminar required of all MFA Animation students. This course includes guest speakers, faculty and student presentations followed by lively and critical discussion. Graded CR/NC.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17928D	037	Lecture	6:00-8:50pm	Wednesday	32 of 60	Sheila Sofian	SCI108

CTAN 525: Gesture Movement for Animation (2.0 units)

The concepts of animation performance, body and facial gesture, and the emotional and psychological resonance through cinematic arts.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17935R	037	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Wednesday	11 of 15	Christine Panushka	SCB205	Word (14999 KB)

CTAN 544: Introduction to the Art of Animation (3.0 units)

Fundamentals of film, video and computer animation production. Orientation to assist students on determining future emphases and specialities. Open only to Animation and Digital Arts master students.

• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts
• Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Master Student

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17936D	037	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Tuesday	15 of 15	Trixy Wattenbarger,	SCB205
			9:00-11:50am	Tuesday		Larissa Bank	SCB202

CTAN 550: Stop Motion Puppet and Set Design (2.0 units)

Puppet and set design for stop motion animation while providing guidance on armature rigs that allow the character to be animated effectively.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17952R	037	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Tuesday	11 of 14	Musa Brooker	SCB207

CTAN 555: Animation Design and Production (4.0 units)

Exploring creative strategies to designing form and content. Developing style and investigating multiple techniques, including live action and sound. Production of a 30-60 second work.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 547
• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17955D	037	Lecture	9:30-12:20pm	Tue, Thu	16 of 16	Michael Patterson, Candace Reckinger	RZC117

CTAN 563: Advanced Computer Animation (2.0 units)

Investigation of advanced computer techniques related to character representation and various types of algorithmically defined animation produced on either film or videotape.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 443

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17956R	037	Lecture	12:00-2:50pm	Monday	9 of 12	Angie Jones	RZC117

CTAN 564L: Motion Capture Fundamentals (2.0 units)

Fundamental principles of motion capture technology explored while working through a structured series of assignments based around performance, gesture and motion.

• Prerequisite: 1 from (CTAN 452 or CTAN 462)

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17997R	037	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Tuesday	Canceled
			4:00-6:50pm	Thursday

CTAN 577a: Fundamentals of Animation (2.0 units)

The exploration of the techniques of the art of character animation with an emphasis on discipline, performance and personality observation, specializing in classical Hollywood animation. Open only to Animation and Digital Arts master students.

• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts
• Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Master Student

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17954D	037	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Thursday	15 of 15	Eric Goldberg	SCB207

CTAN 579: Expanded Animation (2.0 units)

Incorporation of traditional image making methods as well as digital and new media technologies to convey non-linear narratives over internal and external landscapes.

• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17964D	037	Lecture	9:00-11:50am	Monday	15 of 15	Kathy Smith	RZC117
			7:00-9:50pm	Monday			SCB102

CTAN 592: Master Class (2.0-6.0 units, max 12)

A special projects course in which students produce a major work through weekly meetings with a master artist/animator. Topics must be approved prior to enrollment. Recommended preparation: Previous advanced animation production experience. Recommended preparation: Previous advanced animation production experience.

Section	Session	Units	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17971R	037	2.0	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Thursday	Canceled
17972D	037	2.0	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Monday	14 of 15	Caroline Hu	SCB207

CTAN 593: Directed Studies in Animation (2.0 units, max 4)

Individual exploration in the areas of contemporary technology, animation techniques or experimental film through internships, residencies or directed studies. Open only to Animation and Digital Arts master students.

• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts
• Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Master Student

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17982D	037	Lecture	TBA	TBA	3 of 10	Tom Sito	OFFICE

CTAN 594a: Master's Thesis (2.0 units)

Credit on acceptance of Thesis.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17983D	037	Lecture-Lab	10:00-11:50am	Wednesday	14 of 14	Kathy Smith,Tom Sito,Sheila Sofian,Christine Panushka,Eric Hanson,Michael Patterson, Candace Reckinger,Angie Jones	SCB207