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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 | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-5:50pm | Wednesday | 20 of 20 | Marcel Valcarce, | ONLINE |  | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Thursday | Sheila Sofian | ONLINE |
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 | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 1:00-3:50pm | Monday | 15 of 15 | Trixy Wattenbarger | ONLINE | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | ONLINE |
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 | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 9:00-11:50am | Tuesday | 17 of 17 | Jason Reisig | ONLINE | | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Thursday | ONLINE |
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 | 060 | Lecture | 9:00-11:50am | Wednesday | 11 of 15 | Trixy Wattenbarger | ONLINE |  | |
| 17854R | 060 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 13 of 15 | Tom Sito | ONLINE | Word (58460 KB) | |
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 | 15 of 15 | Sheila Sofian | OFFICE & ONLINE | |
Creating characters and environments for animation, live action, and video games.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17917R | 060 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 13 of 16 | John Mahoney | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday | 16 of 16 | Elizabeth Brauer | ONLINE | Word (22592 KB) | |
| 17865R | 060 | Lecture | 10:00-12:50pm | Monday | 16 of 16 | Elizabeth Brauer | ONLINE | Word (21236 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 | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 1:00-3:50pm | Wednesday | 9 of 16 | Maks Naporowski | ONLINE | | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Friday | ONLINE |
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 | 060 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday | 9 of 15 | Elisabeth Mann | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | 4:00-5:50pm | Wednesday | 7 of 10 | Everett Lewis | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture | 9:30-12:20pm | Friday | 65 of 130 | Christine Panushka | ONLINE | |
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 | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 14 of 14 | Dariush Derakhshani | ONLINE | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 17893R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 8 of 14 | Dariush Derakhshani | ONLINE | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 17894R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | 11 of 14 | Marcel Valcarce | ONLINE | | |
| 7:00-10:00pm | Wednesday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 17895R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 1:00-3:50pm | Tuesday | 5 of 14 | Maks Naporowski | ONLINE | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Friday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 17896R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-6:50pm | Thursday | 14 of 14 | Maks Naporowski | ONLINE | | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Friday | ONLINE |
Principles and skills for using Cinema 4D software to animate, model and render animation projects.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17902R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 16 of 16 | Jordan Ariel | ONLINE | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Friday | ONLINE |
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 | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday | 9 of 16 | John Mahoney | ONLINE | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | ONLINE |
The basics of character design for animation: anatomy, poses, facial expressions, silhouettes, and anthropomorphism. Development of a portfolio.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17925R | 060 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Monday | 16 of 16 | Caroline Hu | ONLINE | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17899R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 1:00-3:50pm | Tuesday | 13 of 14 | Eric Hanson | ONLINE | PDF (287280 KB) | |
| 10:00-12:50pm | Friday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 17901R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Friday | 15 of 15 | Maurice Bastian | ONLINE | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | ONLINE |
Concepts, tools and techniques used to create cinematic lighting and rendering in computer-generated imagery (CGI).
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17909R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | 14 of 15 | Maurice Bastian | ONLINE | | |
| 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | ONLINE |
An exploration of projection mapping with hands-on learning and projects providing professional skills and workflows for helping students create their own content.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17911D | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 9:00-11:50am | Monday | Canceled | Jordan Halsey | |
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 | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 6:00-8:50pm | Friday | 9 of 16 | Marty Havran | ONLINE | |
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 | Teresa Cheng | OFFICE & ONLINE | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Careers: Story to Screen | ||||||||||
| 17923R | 060 | 2.0 | Lecture | 6:30-8:20pm | Monday | 9 of 12 | Josh Staub | ONLINE | | |
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 | 4 of 15 | Eric Hanson | ONLINE | PDF (304976 KB) | |
| 10:00-12:50pm | Friday | ONLINE |
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 | Canceled | PDF (185465 KB) | | ||
| 10:00-12:50pm | Friday |
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 | 36 of 60 | Christine Panushka | ONLINE | |
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 | 5:00-7:50pm | Tuesday | 15 of 15 | Elisabeth Mann, | ONLINE | | |
| 6:00-8:50pm | Friday | Karl Gnass | ONLINE |
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 | Tuesday | 14 of 16 | Candace Reckinger, | ONLINE | | |
| 9:30-12:20pm | Thursday | Michael Patterson | OFFICE |
Advanced feature-quality techniques in 3-D character animation emphasizing acting, facial animation, lip-sync, body mechanics, blocking and polish with multiple characters over sequential shots.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 443
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17956D | 037 | Lecture | 9:00-11:50am | Monday | 8 of 10 | Jason Reisig | ONLINE | |
The art of directing, acting, and creating story for motion capture will be explored while learning the technology behind bringing virtual actors to life.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 564
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17998R | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 9 of 10 | John Brennan | RZC117 & ONLINE | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Friday | RZC117 & ONLINE |
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 afternoon class sessions will meet once a month on 8/21, 9/18, 10/9, and 11/6.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17954D | 037 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 15 of 15 | Eric Goldberg | ONLINE |  | |
| 2:00-5:50pm | Friday | ONLINE |
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 | 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | 15 of 15 | Kathy Smith | ONLINE | | |
| 8:00-10:00pm | Monday | ONLINE |
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 | Gilbert Zimmerman | | ||
| 17981D | 037 | 2.0 | Lecture | 7:00-8:50pm | Monday | 10 of 15 | Brandon Jeffords | ONLINE | |
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 | 2 of 10 | Teresa Cheng | OFFICE & ONLINE | |
Credit on acceptance of Thesis.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17983D | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 10:00-11:50am | Wednesday | 13 of 13 | Kathy Smith,Sheila Sofian,Christine Panushka,Trixy Wattenbarger, Michael Patterson, Elisabeth Mann, Eric Hanson,Candace Reckinger,Tom Sito,Jason Reisig, Maks Naporowski | OFFICE & ONLINE | |
Detailed investigation of new or emerging aspects of cinema; special subjects offered by visiting faculty; experimental subjects.
| Section | Session | Units | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Motion Graphics | ||||||||||
| 17999R | 037 | 2.0 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 13 of 14 | Kendra Ryan, Michael Patterson | ONLINE | | |