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 102L: Introduction to the Art of Movement (2.0 units)

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	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Thursday	14 of 14	Eric Goldberg	ONLINE

CTAN 110: Design Fundamentals for Animation I (2.0 units)

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	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Wednesday	14 of 14	Justin Parpan	SCB102

CTAN 200g: The Rise of Digital Hollywood (4.0 units)

An overview of the evolution of computer graphics in modern media.

• General Education: This course satisfies the university's general education requirement.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17960R	001	Lecture	12:00-3:50pm	Thursday	67 of 68	Tom Sito	SCI108

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
17922D	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Friday	18 of 20	Katie Smith	SCB102

CTAN 202L: Introduction to 3-D Character Animation (3.0 units)

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	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Tuesday	20 of 23	Henry Sanchez	SCB102	Word (754887 KB)
			4:00-6:50pm	Friday			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
17857D	001	Lecture	4:00-5:50pm	Tuesday	17 of 17	Nicole West	SCB207	PDF (1302269 MB)

CTAN 336: Ideation and Pre-Production (2.0 units)

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	001	Lecture-Lab	6:00-9:50pm	Monday	17 of 17	Josh Staub,Nicole West	SCB102	PDF (1299103 MB)

CTAN 401b: Senior Project (4.0 units)

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	001	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Wednesday	19 of 19	Eric Hanson	SCB205

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	14 of 16	John Mahoney	SCB207

CTAN 432: The World of Visual Effects (2.0 units)

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	001	Lecture	4:30-7:20pm	Thursday	39 of 48	Craig Barron	SCB104	PDF (116335 KB)

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
17865R	001	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Monday	15 of 16	Elizabeth Brauer	SCB304	Word (26658 KB)

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	13 of 15	Elisabeth Mann	SCB205	PDF (305113 KB)

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

Practical completion of a short animated film.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 450b

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17887D	001	Lecture-Lab	4:00-5:50pm	Wednesday	7 of 8	Everett Lewis	RZC117
			9:00-11:50am	Friday			SCB102

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
17891R	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Thursday	14 of 15	Dariush Derakhshani	RZC117
			9:00-11:50am	Friday			RZC117
17892R	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Tuesday	15 of 15	Dariush Derakhshani	SCA356
			9:00-11:50am	Friday			RZC117
17893R	001	Lecture-Lab	9:00-11:50am	Tuesday	15 of 15	Maks Naporowski	SCA356
			7:00-9:50pm	Friday			SCA356
17894R	001	Lecture-Lab	4:00-6:50pm	Monday	13 of 15	Marcel Valcarce	RZC117
			7:00-9:50pm	Friday			SCA356
17895R	001	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Monday	14 of 15	Maks Naporowski	RZC117
			9:00-11:50am	Friday			RZC117

CTAN 460: Character Design Workshop (2.0 units)

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	001	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Monday	15 of 15	Caroline Hu	SCB207

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
17900R	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Friday	10 of 16	Maurice Bastian	RZC117
			1:00-3:50pm	Thursday			RZC117

CTAN 465L: Digital Effects Animation (2.0 units)

All aspects of digital effects animation, including particles, dynamics, and fluids. Creating water, fire, explosions, and destruction in film.

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

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17912R	001	Lecture-Lab	7:00-9:50pm	Wednesday	14 of 15	Domin Lee	RZC117	PDF (1082753 MB)
			1:00-3:50pm	Thursday			RZC117

CTAN 470: Documentary Animation Production (2.0 units)

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	001	Lecture	10:00-12:50pm	Thursday	14 of 16	Sheila Sofian	SCB205

CTAN 480: Advanced Character Animation for Games (2.0 units)

Advanced techniques for animating 3-D creature characters in games. An emphasis on unique non-human fantasy characters.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 280

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17910R	001	Lecture-Lab	12:00-1:50pm	Wednesday	8 of 16	Scott Easley	SCIL105	PDF (391697 KB)
			12:00-1:50pm	Friday			SCIL113

CTAN 495: Visual Music (2.0 units)

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	001	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Friday	16 of 16	Michael Patterson	SCB102

CTAN 496: Directed Studies (2.0 units, max 4)

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	12 of 15	Teresa Cheng	OFFICE

CTAN 497L: Procedural Animation (2.0 units)

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	001	Lecture-Lab	4:00-6:50pm	Tuesday	13 of 14	Jordan Halsey	RZC117
			9:00-11:50am	Wednesday			RZC117

CTAN 499: Special Topics (2.0-4.0 units, max 8)

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	001	2.0	Lecture	4:00-6:50pm	Wednesday	10 of 14	Jordan Halsey	SCB102
Inside Story: Creative Development for Animation
17923D	001	2.0	Lecture	4:00-6:50pm	Wednesday	11 of 14	Abram Makowka	SCB205
Demystifying the TV Animation Pipeline
17929D	001	2.0	Lecture	7:00-8:50pm	Wednesday	9 of 14	Monica Mitchell	SCB207	PDF (374095 KB)

CTAN 503: Storyboarding for Animation (2.0 units)

Focus on film grammar, perspective, and layout, staging and acting as it relates to storyboarding for animation.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17920R	037	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Monday	15 of 16	Tom Sito	SCB205

CTAN 504L: Creative Production in Virtual Reality (2.0 units)

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
17990R	037	Lecture-Lab	9:00-11:50am	Tuesday	16 of 16	Eric Hanson	RZC117	PDF (847018 KB)
			9:00-11:50am	Thursday			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
17924D	037	Lecture	4:00-6:50pm	Monday	14 of 15	Richard Goldsmith	SCB205	PDF (320195 KB)

CTAN 508L: Live Action Integration with Visual Effects (2.0 units)

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	Canceled
			12:00-2:50pm	Wednesday

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	7:00-8:50pm	Wednesday	18 of 40	Teresa Cheng	SCB104	PDF (316675 KB)

CTAN 536: Storytelling for Animation (2.0 units)

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	14 of 15	Elizabeth Brauer	SCB304	Word (53760 KB)

CTAN 547: Animation Production I (3.0 units)

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
17945D	037	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Thursday	6 of 6	Christine Panushka,	SCB205
			6:30-9:20pm	Friday		Karl Gnass	ONLINE
17946D	037	Lecture-Lab	10:00-12:50pm	Tuesday	16 of 16	Michael Patterson,	SCB102
			6:30-9:20pm	Friday		Karl Gnass	ONLINE

CTAN 551: Stop Motion Performance (2.0 units)

Incorporating classic stop motion techniques for puppet performance and animation. Emphasis on timing, performance, movement, animation and gesture.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 550

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17948R	037	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Tuesday	5 of 10	Musa Brooker	SCB207

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	13 of 15	John Brennan	RZC117
			4:00-6:50pm	Friday			RZC117

CTAN 575: Cinematic and Media-Based Installations (2.0 units)

The history and practice of media-based installation art, from site-specific architectural projection mapping, to activist and public art, video sculptures and immersive, physical transformations.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17993D	037	Lecture-Lab	4:00-6:50pm	Thursday	13 of 13	Elisabeth Mann	SCB205	PDF (322533 KB)

CTAN 577b: 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.

• 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	1:00-3:50pm	Wednesday	22 of 22	Jason Reisig	SCB102
			1:00-3:50pm	Friday			RZC117

CTAN 591: Animation Pre-Thesis Seminar (2.0 units)

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
17972D	037	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Wednesday	14 of 14	Candace Reckinger	SCB207

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
17976R	037	2.0	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Friday	11 of 14	Peter Chung	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 18	Teresa Cheng	OFFICE

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

Credit on acceptance of Thesis. Graded CR/NC.

• Prerequisite: CTAN 594a

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
17983D	037	Lecture-Lab	10:00-11:50am	Monday	7 of 7	Jason Reisig	SCB205
17988D	037	Lecture-Lab	10:00-11:50am	Wednesday	9 of 9	Sheila Sofian	SCB205

CTAN 599: Special Topics (2.0-4.0 units, max 8)

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
17999D	037	2.0	Lecture	7:00-9:50pm	Thursday	Canceled			PDF (287826 KB)