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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 with a focus on movement, gesture, timing and performance. Open to freshman in Animation and Digital Arts majors only.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 101
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17956D | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 20 of 20 | Eric Goldberg | ONLINE |  |
Developing skills in design, composition, shape language, image-making, and visual thinking to create more sophisticated style frames and imagery for animation practice.
- Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17992D | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Monday | 19 of 19 | Mark Kulakoff | ONLINE | PDF (98431 KB) | |
3-D animation performance utilizing preset rigs and virtual characters. Emphasis on timing, gesture, and performance.
- Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts
- Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Sophomore
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17957D | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 8:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 14 of 15 | Jason Reisig, | ONLINE | Word (287252 KB) | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Friday | Fredrik Nilsson | ONLINE |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17857D | 060 | Lecture | 4:00-5:50pm | Tuesday | 17 of 17 | Teresa Cheng | 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 | 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday | 16 of 16 | Trixy Wattenbarger | ONLINE | |
Emphasis on lateral thinking working across boundaries to find underlying principles in terms of ideation: the act of becoming an agent of ideas.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 301
- Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Junior
- 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 | 2:00-4:50pm | Thursday | 17 of 17 | Christine Panushka, | ONLINE | PDF (657035 KB) | |
| 6:30-9:20pm | Monday | Josh Staub, Nicole West | ONLINE |
b: Completion and exhibition of the short animated film to demonstrate understanding and further examination of the possibilities of animation time based graphic media. Open to senior animation majors only.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 401a
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17853D | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 1:00-3:50pm | Wednesday | 13 of 15 | Sheila Sofian | 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 | 16 of 16 | John Mahoney | ONLINE | |
Introduction to the expanding field of visual effects; topics include integration for cinematic storytelling and the study of digital productions employing the latest visual effects.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17856R | 060 | Lecture | 4:30-7:20pm | Thursday | 45 of 48 | Craig Barron | ONLINE | PDF (148254 KB) | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17868D | 060 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | 11 of 14 | Elisabeth Mann | ONLINE | | |
| 17869D | 060 | Lecture | 4:00-6:50pm | Thursday | 15 of 14 | Elisabeth Mann | ONLINE | PDF (1453303 MB) | |
Methods for creating animation blending traditional techniques with contemporary technologies.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17874R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 1:00-3:50pm | Tuesday | 14 of 15 | Trixy Wattenbarger | ONLINE | | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Friday | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17891R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 14 of 15 | Dariush Derakhshani | ONLINE | | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Friday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 17892R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 14 of 15 | Dariush Derakhshani | ONLINE | | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Friday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 17893R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 9:00-11:50am | Tuesday | 15 of 15 | Maks Naporowski | ONLINE | | |
| 7:00-9:50pm | Friday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 17894R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | 15 of 15 | Marcel Valcarce | ONLINE | | |
| 7:00-9:50pm | Friday | ONLINE | |||||||
| 17895R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 1:00-3:50pm | Monday | 13 of 15 | Maks Naporowski | ONLINE | | |
| 9:00-11:50am | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17909R | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17900R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Friday | 13 of 16 | Maurice Bastian | ONLINE | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday | ONLINE |
All aspects of digital effects animation, including particles, dynamics, and fluids. Creating water, fire, explosions, and destruction in film.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17912R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Wednesday | 9 of 15 | Domin Lee | ONLINE | PDF (322414 KB) | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday | ONLINE |
Examination of the history, techniques, and methods of documentary animation production. Collaboration on a short film project.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17911R | 060 | Lecture | 5:00-8:00pm | Thursday | 16 of 16 | Sheila Sofian | ONLINE | PDF (108611 KB) | |
Experimental animation providing the opportunity to produce individual or group projects. Focus is non-conventional techniques for image creation and collaboration between composer and visual artist. Not open to freshmen and sophomores.
- Restriction: Registration closed to the following class level(s): Freshmen, Sophomore
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17906R | 060 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | 13 of 14 | Michael Patterson | 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 | 060 | Lecture | TBA | TBA | 8 of 15 | Teresa Cheng | ONLINE | |
Introduction to software packages and practices exploring current animation techniques that leverage simulation systems. Artificial intelligence as a tool for animation.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 452
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17921R | 060 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-6:50pm | Tuesday | 14 of 14 | Jordan Halsey | ONLINE | PDF (465081 KB) | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Wednesday | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Animation | ||||||||||
| 17919R | 060 | 2.0 | Lecture | 4:00-6:50pm | Wednesday | 15 of 15 | Jordan Halsey | ONLINE | PDF (336347 KB) | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17961R | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 9:00-11:50am | Tuesday | 12 of 15 | Eric Hanson | ONLINE | PDF (310136 KB) | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17924D | 037 | Lecture | 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | 14 of 15 | Richard Goldsmith | ONLINE | PDF (300873 KB) | |
Survey of the digital techniques required to successfully marry live action shooting with CGI elements and green screen footage.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 462
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17925R | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 6 of 12 | Robert Nederhorst | ONLINE | | |
| 12:00-2:50pm | Wednesday | ONLINE |
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 | 7 of 40 | Eric Hanson | ONLINE | |
Explores the relationship of science, philosophy and art to new forms of animation and digital media practice, with a focus on dreams and consciousness.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17930R | 037 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Monday | 11 of 11 | Kathy Smith | ONLINE | PDF (716907 KB) | |
Storytelling workshop for animators; application of dramatic techniques to visual concepts to derive three-dimensional stories which can serve as bases for finished films. Open only to cinematic arts students. (Duplicates credit in CTAN 436.)
- Restriction: Registration open to the following school(s): School of Cinematic Arts
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17862R | 037 | Lecture | 10:00-12:50pm | Wednesday | 5 of 10 | Elizabeth Brauer | ONLINE | Word (52224 KB) | |
Practicum in film, video and computer animation emphasizing the production process through individual projects. Open only to Animation and Digital Arts master students.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 544
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17946D | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-6:50pm | Tuesday | 13 of 15 | Michael Patterson, | ONLINE | | |
| 6:30-9:20pm | Friday | Karl Gnass | ONLINE |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17949R | 037 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 8 of 12 | Musa Brooker | ONLINE | |
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 | 9 of 12 | John Brennan | ONLINE | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Friday | 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.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 577a
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17958D | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-6:50pm | Wednesday | 13 of 15 | Jason Reisig | ONLINE | Word (168648 KB) | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | ONLINE |
A pre-production seminar, where students complete the research, development, script and storyboards for their thesis projects to be executed in CTAN 594ab. Open to M.F.A. Animation students only.
- Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Animation and Digital Arts
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17970D | 037 | Lecture | 3:00-5:50pm | Tuesday | 14 of 15 | Christine Panushka | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17976R | 037 | 2.0 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | 13 of 14 | Peter Chung | 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 | 4 of 18 | Teresa Cheng | ONLINE | |
Credit on acceptance of Thesis. Graded CR/NC.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 594a
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17988D | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 10:00-11:50am | Wednesday | 12 of 13 | Kathy Smith | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-D Motion Graphic Design | ||||||||||
| 17999R | 037 | 2.0 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 9 of 15 | Albert Albaladejo | ONLINE | PDF (217529 KB) | |