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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.
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 | 4:00-6:50pm | Wednesday | 15 of 15 | Marcel Valcarce, | SCB102 |  | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday | Michael Patterson | SCB207 |
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 | 19 of 19 | Trixy Wattenbarger | SCB102 | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | SCB207 |
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 | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 7 of 7 | Dariush Derakhshani | SCA356 | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Wednesday | SCB102 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17850R | 001 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Wednesday | 16 of 16 | Trixy Wattenbarger | SCB207 |  | |
| 17854R | 001 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 16 of 16 | Tom Sito | SCB205 | |
Understanding the requirements and relationships between theory and practice regarding the complexity of an animated film in idea and execution.
- Prerequisite: 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 | 18 of 18 | Trixy Wattenbarger | SCB207 | |
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 | Tuesday | Canceled | |
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 | 16 of 16 | John Mahoney | SCB101 | PDF (131318 KB) | |
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 | 16 of 16 | Elizabeth Brauer | SCB304 | Word (24959 KB) | |
| 17865R | 001 | Lecture | 10:00-12:50pm | Monday | 16 of 16 | Elizabeth Brauer | SCB304 | Word (23750 KB) | |
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 | 10 of 16 | Scott Easley | SCB102 | PDF (366240 KB) | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Friday | SCIL104 |
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 | Thursday | 15 of 15 | Elisabeth Mann | SCB205 | |
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 12 | Everett Lewis | RZC117 | |
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 | 55 of 130 | Christine Panushka | SCA108 | |
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 | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 14 of 15 | Marcel Valcarce | SCIL104 | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | SCB102 | |||||||
| 17893R | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 14 of 15 | Dariush Derakhshani | SCB102 | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | SCB102 | |||||||
| 17894R | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | 14 of 15 | Marcel Valcarce | SCB102 | | |
| 7:00-10:00pm | Wednesday | RZC117 | |||||||
| 17895D | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 12 of 14 | Jordan Ariel | SCB102 | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Friday | SCB102 |
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 | 8 of 15 | John Mahoney | SCB102 | Word (36352 KB) | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | RZC117 |
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 | Friday | 9 of 15 | Maurice Bastian | RZC117 | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | RZC117 |
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 | 3 of 12 | Teresa Cheng | OFFICE | |
Detailed investigation of new or emerging aspects of cinema and/or television; special subjects offered by visiting faculty; experimental subjects.
| Section | Session | Units | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projection Mapping Design and Production | ||||||||||
| 17911R | 001 | 2.0 | Lecture | 9:00-11:50am | Monday | 12 of 14 | Jordan Halsey | RZC117 | | |
| Studio Careers: Story to Screen | ||||||||||
| 17923D | 001 | 2.0 | Lecture | 6:30-8:20pm | Monday | 14 of 20 | Josh Staub | SCI207 | PDF (209663 KB) | |
| Design Foundation for Animation | ||||||||||
| 17924R | 001 | 2.0 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Wednesday | 11 of 14 | Mark Kulakoff | SCB102 | | |
An in-depth exploration of aesthetics and techniques involved in the conceptualization, design and creation of virtual reality and stereoscopic imaging.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17916R | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 9:00-11:50am | Wednesday | 13 of 15 | Eric Hanson | RZC117 | PDF (181222 KB) |  |
| 10:00-12:50pm | Friday | RZC117 |
A creative studio course in producing both a linear cinematic virtual reality short film and associated real-time immersive experience.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 502
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17922R | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 1:00-3:50pm | Tuesday | 12 of 15 | Eric Hanson | RZC117 | PDF (185436 KB) | |
| 10:00-12:50pm | Friday | RZC117 |
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 | 7:00-8:50pm | Wednesday | 39 of 60 | Teresa Cheng | SCI108 | |
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 | 3 of 14 | Christine Panushka | SCB205 | |
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 | Elisabeth Mann, | SCB205 | | |
| 6:00-8:50pm | Friday | Karl Gnass | SCB202 |
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 | 15 of 16 | Michael Patterson, Candace Reckinger | SCB205 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17956D | 037 | Lecture | 9:00-11:50am | Monday | 4 of 8 | Jason Reisig | SCB102 | |
Fundamental principles of motion capture technology explored while working through a structured series of assignments based around performance, gesture and motion.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17997R | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 13 of 15 | John Brennan | RZC117 | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Friday | RZC117 |
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
- Note: The Friday classes will meet five times, on 8/30, 9/27, 10/25, 11/22, and 12/06.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17954D | 037 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 15 of 15 | Eric Goldberg | SCB207 |  | |
| 2:00-5:20pm | Friday | SCA108 |
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 | 12:30-3:20pm | Monday | 15 of 15 | Kathy Smith | RZC117 | | |
| 7:00-9:50pm | Monday | SCB102 |
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 | 6 of 14 | Gilbert Zimmerman | SCB205 | PDF (96497 KB) | |
| 17972R | 037 | 2.0 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Monday | 4 of 14 | Caroline Hu | SCB207 | | |
| 17981D | 037 | 2.0 | Lecture | 7:00-8:50pm | Monday | 7 of 14 | Brandon Jeffords | RZC117 | |
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 | Teresa Cheng | OFFICE | |
Credit on acceptance of Thesis.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17983D | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 10:00-11:50am | Wednesday | 15 of 16 | Kathy Smith | SCB207 | |