Missin Statement: Our missin is t serve as a leading center f Christian thught and actin prviding an excellent educatin frm a biblical perspective and glbal cntext in pivtal prfessins t equip Christian leaders t change the wrld. Schl Missin Statement: Regent University s department f Cinema-Televisin (CTV) exists t reclaim the pwer f Stry t weave Christian values and enduring truths in infinitely fresh and relevant ways using cnsummate craftsmanship and artistry t inspire, teach and entertain millins arund the wrld. COURSE SYLLABUS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION & THE ARTS DEPARTMENT OF CINEMA-TELEVISION ANIM 210 WRITING FOR ANIMATION SPRING 2011 SCREENING ROOM A (TUESDAYS) 1:30 P.M. 4:30 P.M. All students are required t read and have a thrugh understanding f the syllabus. Any questins r cncerns need t be addressed t the instructr. Students, please place yur initials belw t indicate that yu have read and understd the requirements utlined in this syllabus. Online: cut and paste this shaded sectin and email t yur prfessr the first week f the curse. Student initials Page 1 f 22
YOUR INSTRUCTOR FOR THIS COURSE Instructr: Kevin R. Crawfrd, M.F.A., Ph.D. (ABD) Telephne: (757) 647-9003 Fax: (757) 352-4336 Email: Kevicra@regent.edu Office Hurs: (By Appintment) Office Lcatin: COM 250 COURSE DESCRIPTION SECTION 1 - OVERVIEW Writing fr Animatin is a (3) credit hur semester length curse, in which we study the unique pprtunities and challenges fund in writing fr animatin in a variety f frmats: the shrt subject, halfhur prgram, vide game traditin, and feature length film, with an emphasis n integrating visual elements such as sketches and strybards int the writing prcess frm the very beginning in rder t maximize creative discvery. RATIONALE/COURSE OVERVIEW Animatin derives frm the Latin verb t animate meaning t make-alive. But animatrs are nt nly tasked with the respnsibility f taking ur mst pwerful childlike dreams and fantasies, r the wackiest wrlds that can be imagined and bringing these t life we, like ur cusins in the wrld f live-actin film, are abve all Strytellers. In animatin we can cmpletely restructure reality. We can take drawings, clay, puppets, r digital frms frm a cmputer and make them seem s real that peple believe they re alive. Pure fantasy, in ther wrds, is greatly at hme in the wrld f animatin. But fr animatin t wrk n a prfund level the wrlds we create and the characters that inhabit them must be bth believable and meaningful. Animatin is being nw created fr all age grups and fr many media frms. Cnsequently, it is abut smething mre than stringing tgether a series f incredible events in rder t shwcase ne s talent and ability. Typically animatin stries begin with a script which becmes a key part f the develpment pipeline an entire creative matrix f strybarding, slugging, character and prp design, clr wrk, CGI mdeling, and vice-ver recrdings. When it cmes t the prductin pipeline, technlgy is ever a key factr but it is nt the nly factr. We are never beynd the Stry. Anyne wh has ever wrked in animatin has hrrr stries abut changes t the script r characters after prductin has already begun. If mre prfessinal animatrs understd the effect this has upn the prcess they wuld never cnsider them after prductin has begun. At bttm, a prly planned stry r weak character and structure is typically t blame. Think f yurself as a cntent creatr and stryteller extrardinaire nt simply a tl-master r a buttn pusher. Even ne scene change may invlve hundreds and hundreds f drawings r images. Despite all ur technlgies, animatin remains labr intensive. Again, a well-frmed stry is imprtant. If a stry is well-tld, and its characters are welldrawn, this helps t minimize frustratin at every level. This curse is intended t help students discver the discipline, pwer, and magic f strng stries welltld. Students will be challenged t lcate, write, and develp "shrt subject" ideas suitable fr their senir prjects in additin t learning mre abut creating saleable material fr cmmercial utlets such as "half-hurs" and "features". Gaming elements and alternative stry frms will als be cnsidered. Page 2 f 22
Primary emphasis will be upn the principles f stry design within the cntext f the animatin industry, including (and, especially) the integratin f visual elements such as sketches and strybards int the writing prcess in rder t maximize creative discvery. Thrughut this curse yu will prgress tward the cmpletin f three t eight riginal characters (vibrantly written and visually drawn) and a basic idea fr yur wn half-hur televisin series, shrt film, feature length prpsal r gaming prject. (Nte: Students actually sign and execute a develpment cntract with the prfessr at the beginning f the term, as industry prfessinals wuld be asked t d.) Fr a series, yu ll create a bible; fr a film yu ll create a presentatin t pitch yur prject. Next yu ll write a premise r treatment, fllwed by a wrking utline, and then a shrt script which yu can develp as a pssible senir thesis. Game develpers will write a cncept prpsal and full walkthrugh, including sketches and ther visual artwrk needed t tell the stry behind their gaming wrld alng with shrt scripted elements fr levelne play. This as all curses in the Cllege f Cmmunicatin and the Arts is ultimately cncerned with hw the cmmitted Christian can blend his/her faith with what they learn here. Especially f cncern is hw the issues raised by this curse are t be cnsidered in cmparisn t yur wn a priri wrld view. Yu will be urged t cnsider all readings, lectures and discussins in light f yur wn Christian faith. SCRIPTURE THEME I have much t write yu, but I d nt want t d s nly with pen and ink. (3 Jhn 1:13) CINEMA-TELEVISION DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAM OUTCOMES B ACHEL OR OF A R T S IN CINEMA TELEVISION: Students will demnstrate: Relevant knwledge f the ways in which Christian principles are evidenced in the practice f their art. Ability t cnceptualize the way meaning is structured and perceived in bth film and vide. Understanding f the techniques and practices f CTV prductin including preprductin, principle phtgraphy, pst-prductin, distributin, and the use f relevant tls fr each f these stages. Prficiency in the prductin f Cinema-Televisin wrks. B ACHEL OR OF A R T S IN A NIMAT ION PROGRAM G OALS: 1. Relevant knwledge f the ways in which Christian principles are evidenced in the practice f their art. 2. Ability t cnceptualize the way meaning is structured and perceived in animatin. ( 3. Understanding f the techniques and practices f animatin prductin including cnceptualizatin, mdeling & cnstructin, texturing, animatin, digital cinematgraphy, and pst-prductin and the use f relevant tls fr each f these stages. 4. Prficiency in the prductin f animatin. B ACHEL OR OF A RTS IN A NIMAT ION PROGRAM L E AR NING O UTCOMES: Students will demnstrate: Page 3 f 22
1. Articulatin f their Christian Wrldview bth written & visual. 2. Understanding f the histrical/critical rle f animatin in ur sciety and glbally. 3. Understanding f animatin stry cnstructin & character develpment bth written & visual. 4. Understanding cnceptualizatin as it applies t animatin prductin bth written & visual. 5. Prficiency in Phtshp. 6. Prficiency in editing and cmpsiting as it relates t animatin. 7. Prficiency in traditinal drawing skills. 8. Prficiency in TnBm (2D sftware). 9. Prficiency in Maya (3D Sftware). 10. The ability t cmplete a 2-3 minute festival ready animatin prject. COURSE (WRITING FOR ANIMATION) OUTCOMES Identify fundamentals f dramatic criteria, using them as tls t develp stry ideas. By cmpleting scheduled writing prmpts. By creating a stry bank f ideas and highly riginal characters. By learning where ideas cme frm. Understand the preparatry wrk that precedes the writing f an animated script, with an emphasis n integrating visual elements such as sketches and strybards int the writing prcess. By discussing weekly animatin screenings and selected clips. By reprting n examples f stry structure and visual imagery as assigned. By giving in class stry lab presentatins. Demnstrate critical insight as t yur wn and fellw student s scripts in terms f basic frmatting, dialgue, expsitin and scene cnstructin. By develping knwledge f standard animatin script frmat. By engaging key themes, cre plts, varius mdels and ppular writing styles. By chsing tp stry ideas f yur wn, and expanding upn the main parts f the riginal idea thrugh develpment f a stry bible, treatment r cncept prpsal. Explre the requisites invlved in re-writing. By discvering the kind f discipline it takes t mve yur script t the next level thrugh develpment f bth creative and animatin matrices. By using industry standard tips, tls and techniques fr re-writing. Cmplete an animated shrt script, suitable fr develpment as a later prject r pssible student thesis. By develping a wrking utline f the verall shape f yur prject. By drafting a shrt script, key scenes, and artwrk demnstrating cmmand f the basic visual strytelling principles cvered in the curse. Express familiarity with basic industry terms and challenges assciated with the business f writing fr animatin and animatin script develpment. Page 4 f 22
By develping a ne-page summary f the plt. By practice-pitching and discvering the art f self-prmtin. By ging behind the develpment desk f majr animatin studis. By being encurage t design and build a prpsed marketing website fr yur wrk. SECTION 2 COURSE REQUIREMENTS COURSE MATERIALS Required Materials: Required Textbks (see Curse Schedule belw fr list f required readings) Glebas, Francis. Directing the Stry: Prfessinal Strytelling and Strybarding Techniques fr Live Actin and Animatin. Burlingtn, MA: Fcal Press, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0240810768. An excellent resurce fr integrating visual elements such as sketches and strybards int the writing prcess! Marx, Christy. Writing fr Animatin, Cmics, and Games. Burlingtn, MA: Fcal Press, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0240805825. Our primary animatin writing and frmatting resurce fr the curse! Sullivan, Karen. Ideas fr the Animated Shrt with DVD: Finding and Building Stries. Burlingtn, MA: Fcal Press, Pap/DVD ed. 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0240808604. A wealth f ideas and methds fr helping animatrs lcate high quality stry ideas fr their prjects and prpsals! Wright, Jean Ann. Animatin Writing and Develpment: Frm Script Develpment t Pitch. Burlingtn, MA: Fcal Press, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0240805498. Our general curse reader; an excellent all-arund resurce fr every aspect f the writing and develpment prcess! Page 5 f 22
Required Sftware Every year I have students ask me abut using Celtx Sftware and ther free-ware prgrams. Other faculty may permit this, but here's my plicy: I discurage use f all nn-industry and public dmain frmats since they are unreliable, the frmatting layut des nt hld crss-platfrm, and I (mainly) want my students t becme familiar with the sftware packages in use by prfessinals wh wrk in Hllywd. If yu want t "wrk" in the industry, smeday, as I am sure all f yu d, then cnsider it an investment in Yu, Inc. It's n different than buying animatin, editing, prductin, budgeting r scheduling sftware fr yur ther curses. These are simply the tls f ur trade. Cnsequently, it is very imprtant that students btain access t ONE (1) industry standard screenwriting prgram in rder t cmplete class requirements. If yu d nt already wn ne f these prgrams, BELOW is a list f required sftware packages with ptins fr yu t chse frm. I expect yu t have access t ne (1) f these prgrams by the time ur curse begins. MvieMagic Screenwriter 6 (r higher) Order frm the Writer s Stre nline at: http://www.writersstre.cm/mvie-magic-screenwriter-screenwriting-sftware Cst t purchase: $129.00 (Academic & Military Editin) This is an academic versin f Mvie Magic Screenwriter. After yu have purchased this prduct yu must prvide prf f current full time enrllment in a cllege r university (r recrd f military service) befre it will ship. MvieMagic develpment suite is nw the sftware f chice at Amblin, Carlc, Disney, Fx, HBO, MGM/UA, NBC, New Wrld, Orin, Paramunt, Tri-Star, and Warner Brs. Script Wizard 10 (r higher) Full service script writing add-n t Micrsft Wrd. (PC nly). Tls t write, frmat, page break, scene number, edit, prf, print and deliver scripts via fax r email. Ideal fr bth prfessinals and students wrking in Micrsft Office envirnments. Script Wizard 10 requires Micrsft Wrd 2000 r later; PC versins nly (Mac versins nt supprted). Will nt run with Wrks wrd prcessr r sme Starter versins f Wrd. This is a Windws based add-n, if yu dn t have a fully licensed versin f Micrsft Wrd already installed n yur PC it will nt wrk. Installs n all versins f Windws 2000, XP, Vista, Windws 7, r later (32 and 64 bit versins) Page 6 f 22
Cst t purchase: $69.00 Order frm Script Wizard Sftware at: http://www.scriptwizardsftware.cm/sw_verview.php Order frm The Writers Stre at: http://www.writersstre.cm/script-wizard Final Draft 8 (r higher) Anther great industry standard prgram! Cst t purchase: $129.00 (Academic & Military Editin) This is an academic versin f Final Draft. After yu have purchased this prduct yu must prvide prf f current full time enrllment in a cllege r university (r recrd f military service) befre it will ship. Order frm the Writer s Stre nline at: http://www.writersstre.cm/final-draft-screenwriting-sftware NOTE: Please d nt rder yur sftware frm shell cmpanies and sftware distributrs like JurneyEd.cm, since they dn t actually warehuse the prducts they sell. They use middle-men and ther suppliers wh are ntrius fr taking yur mney and NOT sending yu the sftware fr up t 6-8 weeks! Als, "Dem" (Trial) Versins f MvieMagic and Final Draft sftware are n gd because the files cannt be shared, upladed t Bb. Yu must pay t license the prduct befre yu can create, share and uplad files fr grading purpses n Blackbard. Believe me ther students have tried this it des nt wrk! Dn t let yur grade suffer needlessly. I als suggest yur rder early and set aside time t becme familiar with the features and benefits f yur frmatting sftware. These prgrams are nt as difficult t master as Maya 3D mdeling r ther visual effects sftware, but a day spent with the prgram befre the curse begins shuld bst yur cnfidence immensely. Thanks fr taking care f this ahead f time, alng with yur textbk rders! Recmmended Resurces: Recmmend Textbks (see Curse Schedule belw fr list f recmmended readings) Sctt, Jeffrey. Hw t Write fr Animatin. Wdstck, NY: Overlk TP, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-1585674282. Sctt s bk ffers slid advice fr thse interested in becming cntent creatrs fr the cartn genre, half-hur segment, and TV markets! Page 7 f 22
Webber, Marilyn. Gardner's Guide t Animatin Scriptwriting: The Writer's Rad Map. Annandale, VA: GGC Publishing, Inc., 2000. ISBN-13: 978-0966107593. Webber ffers key mdels fr the animatin shrts market 7 minute, 11 minute, and 22 minute structures! Additinal Materials (e.g., PwerPint lectures, links, multimedia resurces, and script samples) may be fund n Blackbard in the frm f e-handouts. Students are respnsible fr the infrmatin and materials distributed thrugh Blackbard. Please get in the habit f checking Curse Resurces, and Week-by-Week menus ften. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS BlackBard Infrmatin Blackbard (Bb) has five primary purpses in ur curses: (1) t prvide a means fr students t receive timely infrmatin abut the curse in general, assignments, grades, and annuncements frm the instructr; (2) t prmte thughtful interactin between the instructr and students and amng students themselves as they wrk thrugh curse materials; (3) t prvide a means fr students t cmplete quizzes, writing assignments, and ther frms f evaluatin; (4) t enhance the learning prcess by prviding a variety f materials; and (5) t enable students t check their grades. Students cmplete their weekly assignments as psted/directed in Blackbard. Students are expected t check the Annuncements sectin f Blackbard each week beginning tw weeks befre the start f the curse. Students must keep their e-mail address current in Blackbard. Further, all email bxes shuld be kept well under quta by regularly archiving r emptying unanswered mail, mail left in message flders, etc. Students are expected t check their Regent e-mail daily t ensure timely receipt f messages frm the prfessr. Please use yur regent.edu address, as it appears in Genisys, when crrespnding with yur prfessr. (Outside email may becme lst in my SPAM flder!) If yu have prblems and/r are nt able t lgin, send an e-mail t helpdesk@regent.edu. Describe the prblem in detail and include yur full name, yur Blackbard User Name, Passwrd, Regent e-mail address, and telephne number(s). Or, fr faster service, yu can cntact the Help Desk/IT department at 757.352.4076 if yu are experiencing cmputer related prblems. Assignments The final grade fr the curse will reflect mastery f curse cntent as expressed in: A. Strybard and Animatic (30%) During the last third f the term, students will be expected t present t the class ne (1) *strybard (.pdf file frmat, apprx. 3-5 minutes in length) cmpsed f any key scenes, cutscenes, r cinematics frm their prject, plus ne (1) crrespnding *animatic (3-5 minutes in length,.wmv) relative t the final Page 8 f 22
prject they select: a shrt film, televisin series, animated feature, r gaming prject. These will be ffered as a windw int the varius stages f the writing and strytelling prcess marking key structural and narrative events within the stry yu are develping (i.e., establishing shts, intrductin t main character, pint f attack, prgressive cmplicatin, act climaxes, stry reslutin, key scenes, r prerendered stry scenaris fr gamers). Fr basic standards and helpful instructins n hw t draw fr strybarding see Francis Glebas, Directing the Stry: Prfessinal Strytelling and Strybarding Techniques fr Live Actin and Animatin (pp. 47-108). *Nte: Animatics will be presented en masse t the class n Tuesday, April 19, 2011. B. Character Sketches and Bis in 2 parts (10%) Twice during the early weeks f the term (weeks 5-8), students will present t the class a minimum f three character sketches (vibrantly written and visually depicted) related t the final prject they select: a shrt film, televisin series, animated feature, r gaming prject. C. Idea Ntebk in 2 parts (10%) Twice during the early weeks f the term (weeks 5-8), students are expected t develp an Idea Ntebk within the first half f the term in which they ffer 3-5 paragraph summaries f a minimum f six (6) ideas wrthy f cnsideratin as a senir thesis prject t be later cmpleted upn graduatin. One r ther f these ideas may als be cnsidered fr develpment as the final written prject fr this curse. D. Stry Bible/Treatment/Cncept Prpsal (10%) Students are expected t develp a minimum f a five (5) page stry bible (televisin), treatment (shrts, features), r cncept prpsal (gamers) during the secnd half f the term (week 9) related t the final prject they select: a televisin series, shrt film, animated feature, r gaming prject. E. Wrking Outlines/Walkthrughs (10%) Depending n the prject they select (i.e., shrt film, televisin series, animated feature, r gaming prject) students are expected t develp during the secnd half f the curse (week 11) a ten (10) page minimum wrking utline and prse summary utline f a cmplete creative matrix (i.e., genre, frm, stry, style, plt and theme) as it crrespnds t the animatin matrix r pipeline (i.e., technique, material and technlgical needs, methds and prcesses, and cre theme/idea) as they cmbine and relate t service the verall visualizatin prcess. Varius templates will be discussed, including intensive walkthrugh scenaris fr Game designers. F. Final Prject: Shrt Script r 3 Key Scenes (30%) Students are expected t write a nine t twelve (9-12) page shrt script r three (3) scripted key scenes frm the shrt film, televisin series, animated feature, r gaming prject f their chice. This will be elected at the utset f the curse. (Students actually sign and execute a develpment cntract with the prfessr at the beginning f the term.) This prject will be written in an animated scriptwriting frmat apprpriate t the genre r stry frm chsen fr the final prject. Varius stry frms and templates will be discussed thrughut the curse. Nte: Page 9 f 22
If yu cntracted at the beginning f the curse t develp a Feature Length Prpsal... Uplad and attach t Bb three (3) Key Scenes (a minimum f 3 pages each) assciated with yur feature... and deliver them in full animatin script frmat... frm Act 1 (Inciting Incident), Act 2 (Turning Pint in the Life f yur Main Character), Act 3 (Climax), including all final artwrk, character bis, strybards and functinal animatic. If yu cntracted at the beginning f the curse t develp a Shrt Film... Uplad and attach t Bb a cmplete 9-10 page shrt... and deliver it in full animatin script frmat, including all final artwrk, character bis, strybards and functinal animatic. If yu cntracted at the beginning f the curse t develp a Televisin Series... Uplad and attach t Bb three (3) Key Scenes (a minimum f 3 pages each) assciated with yur Pilt Cartn Episde... and deliver them in full animatin Script frmat frm Act 1 (Teaser), Act 2 (Turning Pint in the Life f yur Main Character), Act 3 (Climax), including all final artwrk, character bis, strybards and functinal animatic. If yu cntracted at the beginning f the curse t develp a Game Prject... Uplad and attach t Bb three (3) Pre-rendered Scenaris/Missins/Encunters (a minimum f 3 pages each) frm Level One Play Intensive Walkthrugh... and deliver them in full animatin script frmat, including all final artwrk, character bis, strybards and functinal animatic. G. Regent/Hllywd Speaker Series: (up t 5% EC) At times during the semester we will have guest speakers cming t the Virginia Beach campus representing the animatin, film and televisin industries. Thse wh live in the area are encuraged t attend these presentatins and write a ne tw page reactin paper t be turned in within seven (7) days f the presentatin. Fr students wh are unable t attend, yu can make arrangements with the Prfessr t write a ne-tw page review/critique f an animated feature that is in current release at the bx-ffice, a new gaming platfrm under current release, r award-winning animated shrt (majr festival/events nly Cannes, Sundance, Oscar, etc. I must apprve yur selectin, first!) I will allw up t 5 reviews written during the term @1% each fr a ttal f up-t 5% f extra credit. Send these by email attachment t Kevicra@regent.edu and please clearly mark yur file: Smith_ANIM210_RegentCnnectPaper1, Smith_ANIM210_RegentCnnectPaper2, etc. SECTION 3 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SUBMISSION OF A SSIGNME NT S All assignments (unless therwise instructed) fr this curse shuld ALWAYS be submitted via Assignment Manager as an attachment that way it cmes straight int my grade bk. Directins hw t use the Assignment Manager can be fund under Tutrials. (See the Assignments sectin f Blackbard fr further instructins.) Bring hard cpy t class as nted in the Syllabus. NOTE: if fr sme strange reasn *Bb ges dwn (read: university-wide-utage) n the day yur assignment cmes due, please email as an attachment direct t: Kevicra@regent.edu clearly labeling the assignment. D this nly as a last resrt. I received hundreds f staff and student emails every week. Email is nt a safe way t track assignments. Except fr yur script wrk and strybards, all submitted assignments shuld be in Micrsft WORD (.dc and.dcx) r Rich Text File (.rtf). N ther file types will be accepted. If yu send me a file that I Page 10 f 22
cannt read, I will autmatically enter a grade f 0 fr that assignment. Plus, any assignment will be returned in like kind with my cmments at the bttm r using the mark-up features available fr that prgram. Pst these by email attachment USING the View and Cmplete Assignment link UNDER the Assignments menu in Bb, and bring hard cpies t class as instructed in the syllabus. (See Curse Schedule belw fr details.) Every assignment must have yur name n it, and, if it is mre than ne page, each page shuld have yur last name and the page number in the upper right-hand crner; fr example: Smith 2, Smith 3, etc. T d that, yu will need t knw hw t use the Header and Fter ptin under the View buttn in Micrsft Wrd and/r yur particular screenwriting prgram f chice. (Nte: Email tagging is nt a guarantee that the assignment received will be easily identifiable, especially if pages becme separated during reading, s please get int the habit f writing yur name n every page f every assignment. Further, in psting material, each student shuld label their assignments with smething that includes their last name and the type f assignment. Fr example, Jim Smith wuld submit his synpsis as JSmith synpsis.dc (r JSmith synpsis.rtf). A n-name file called synpsis.dc will get lst when I cpy it t my class files fr reading/grading. All script wrk must be created and sent t me in Mvie Magic (.scw and.mmsw), Script Wizard (.dc and.dcx), r Final Draft (.fdr and.fdx) file frmat, as specified abve under required sftware. Please d nt send me files in Adbe Reader (.pdf), as these cannt be marked and edited n screen. All ther file types will be returned t yu with a grade f 0. ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION POLICY Regent University recgnizes the imprtance f class attendance and participatin fr students learning. While attendance alne des nt guarantee learning, engagement with the class thrugh regular attendance and participatin is essential t learning, bth t the individual student and t the class itself as all benefit by thers cntributins. At Regent University, class attendance, understd as the act f being present, is cnsidered t be separate frm participating in the class, understd as active engagement thrugh discussin and ther frms f interactin. Bth are valuable t student learning. Like ther institutins f higher educatin, Regent University is required t maintain accurate attendance recrds by the U.S. Department f Educatin. Attendance is tracked weekly. Fr any week (7 days frm Mnday t Sunday) in which a student des nt attend class time r, fr nline classes, lg int the curse in Blackbard, the student will be marked absent in the Blackbard grade bk. The standard by which a final date f attendance in the class is measured will be the last date n which the nline student lgs int the curse in Blackbard r the n campus attends the n-campus class fr a curse, whichever is mre recent. Students shuld be aware that this date culd affect their financial aid and financial bligatins. Nrmally, expectatins fr participatin such as thse fr quality wrk in the grup discussins (including thse in Blackbard) differ frm the minimal requirements fr attendance. Thus, at the instructr's discretin, a student wh is present r absent might lse participatin pints. Instructrs determine whether students may gain back lst participatin pints (fr example, thrugh additinal wrk). Students shuld be aware that instructrs fllw their psted plicy fr receiving late wrk frm students (see belw). Wrk turned in late (papers, discussin bard psts, etc.) culd result in the lss f participatin pints r ther cmpnents f the final curse grade. Instructrs are respnsible t maintain accurate recrds regarding attendance and t fllw curse plicies fr grading student wrk, including Page 11 f 22
students participatin. Students are respnsible t attend and participate in class and t fllw campus plicies. It is imprtant that yu attend each class and cme prepared t discuss the readings, screenings, playlists, and assignments given. All class assignments must be cmpleted in rder t pass the curse. If an emergency arises and yu cannt be here, please let me knw in advance. If Gd has called yu t be a student, that calling is a reflectin upn Him. Fr the Schl f Cmmunicatin and the Arts majr, this includes bth regular attendance and punctuality. There are n cuts. Cnsequently, fur (4), r mre, unexcused absences may result in failure f the curse. I als reserve the right t deduct up t 10% frm yur final grade fr late attendance/habitual absence frm class. UNIVERSITY WITHDRAWAL Students wh have nt attended r lgged int a class, will, at the end f the secnd week f the sessin/semester in accrdance with university practice be assumed t have unfficially drpped and will be administratively remved frm that class. INSTRUCTOR S POSTED POLICY FOR RECEIVING LATE OR MISSED WORK Wrk nt submitted within fur (4) days f the assignment due date will nrmally be given a grade f 0. Unless prir arrangements have been made with the Prfessr, there is a grade reductin f 10% pints per day thrugh the furth day. At the Prfessr s discretin, late wrk may be received fr full credit nly under extenuating circumstances. Timely cmmunicatin with me is f paramunt imprtance, if yu are experiencing setback r difficulty. NOTE: The Department f Cinema-Televisin is hlding its Spring Film sht during the first half f ur curse (i.e., Mdular Week). While n campus and lcal area students are encuraged t participate, please be advised that invlvement with the spring film prject will nt excuse yu frm regular and timely participatin in ur curse. When handing in an assignment, always be sure t retain ne cpy just in case the material shuld mysteriusly disappear en rute frm yu t me. Late assignments will be assessed a ten percent (10%) grade reductin per calendar day frm the date the assignment is due, unless the instructr explicitly grants an extensin due t unusual circumstances. Meeting assignment deadlines and class participatin is a substantial prtin f yur ttal grade and is imprtant t yur persnal and prfessinal develpment. As tragic as it may be, n many levels, lsing cmputer access a crashed cmputer hard drive, r thumb drive will nt excuse lack f participatin in the curse. All mnetary burden and respnsibility fr cmputer equipment, maintenance, and viable nline access are brne by the student. UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC HONOR CODE Students are n their hnr t cmplete assignments with hnesty and integrity. Academic dishnesty invlves intentinally r unintentinally stealing the intellectual prperty f thers. Students are expected t be familiar with the university s plicy n academic integrity fund in bth the University Student Handbk and Schl f Undergraduate Studies Catalg (http://www.regent.edu/general/catalg/) and t fllw it. As an academic and Christian cmmunity, Regent University takes seriusly the call fr integrity and penalizes breaches f f academic integrity. Page 12 f 22
Students shuld be aware that submitted papers may be checked using Safeassign (Blackbard s plagiarism detectin feature. This feature will determine the percentage f the submitted paper that matches ther surces and will generate a reprt. Scres belw 15% include qutes and few cmmn phrases r blcks f text that match ther dcuments, these papers indicate n evidence f the pssibility f plagiarism. Scres between 15% and 40% include extensive quted r paraphrased material r may include plagiarism and will require further review. Scres ver 40% indicate a high prbability the text in the paper was cpied frm ther surces and shuld be reviewed fr plagiarism. The prfessr r instructr will cntact the student if plagiarism is a cncern. EMAILING YOUR INSTRUCTOR The subject line f all e-mail messages related t this curse shuld include the curse number (e.g., ANIM 210) and the name f the student (Example, ANIM 210_JhnSmith). Fllwing these directins enables the prfessr t quickly identify the student and curse, facilitating a timely respnse. Students shuld always include ( sign ) their first and last name at the end f all e-mail messages. Because instructrs ften need t reach students, all students are required t keep their mailing address, e-mail address, and telephne numbers up-t-date in GENISYS. D nt crrespnd with me r send attachments thrugh.htmail,.gmail, yah r ther utside email systems. Always use the regent.edu and/r Bb Cmmunicatin platfrm. SECTION 4 SCHEDULE AND EVALUATION EVALUATION AND GRADING A. Assignments will be graded as fllws: Assignment Weight Strybards and Animatic (delivered in 2 parts) 30% Character Sketches + Bis (delivered in 2 parts) 10% Shrt Idea Ntebk (delivered in 2 parts) 10% Stry Bible/Treatment/Cncept Prpsal 10% Wrking Outlines/Intensive Walkthrughs 10% Final Prjects (Shrt Script/ 3 Key Scenes) 30% Review: Regent/Hllywd Speaker Series, etc. (up t 5% extra credit) TOTAL: 100% B. The grading scale: GRADE PERCENTA GE SCORE A 93 100 4.0 A 90 92 3.67 B+ 87 89 3.33 B 83 86 3.00 B 80 82 2.67 C+ 77 79 2.33 C 73 76 2.00 QUALITY POINTS Page 13 f 22
C 70 72 1.67 D+ 67 69 1.33 D 63 66 1.00 D 60 62 0.67 F 00 59 0.00 COURSE SCHEDULE (WEEK-BY-WEEK) PRINT A COPY OF THIS SCHEDULE AND KEEP IT NEAR YOUR WORKSPACE/DESK, ENTER IT INTO YOUR BLACKBERRY, PDA, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC CALENDAR DEVICE. L EGEND: Required DTS = Directing the Stry, Glebas WFACG = Writing fr Animatin, Cmics, and Games, Marx IFAS = Ideas fr the Animated Shrt, Sullivan AWAD = Animatin Writing and Develpment, Wright Optinal HTWFA = Hw t Write fr Animatin, Sctt GGASW = Gardner s Guide t Animatin Scriptwriting, Webber Other: HAND = Handut frm prfessr OR = On Reserve in the Library (check at main desk) MEETING DAY TOPICS Required Screenings, Weekly Readings, & Assignments 1. Jan. 4 Read the Syllabus cmment n yur backgrund and interests in the Animatin Industry: Curse Outline: (Plicies & Prcedures) Intrductin t the Craft f Writing fr Animatin: Metamrphsis Cndensatin Anthrpmrphism Fabricatin Penetratin Symblic-Assciatin Sund Illusin Screenings: TBA DTS pp. 3-19 IFAS pp. 1-7 AWAD pp. 1-12 HTWFA pp. 21-28 HAND Artist s Prayer, Hw Shall We Write Page 14 f 22
2. Jan. 11 3. Jan. 18 4. Jan. 25 Strybarding & Animatics fr Writers: (Dave Cley visiting) Starting Pints: Finding Ideas Key Themes Cre Plts Narrative as Prblem-slving (William s Wish Wellingtns) Writing Styles: Writing Emtinally (Shira Avni) Writing Cnceptually (Jhnny Hardstaff) Writing Experimentally (Jan Ashwrth) Mdels (Traditinal Develpment, Studi-Prcess Develpment, Seriesriginatr, Creatr-driven/Spec) Screenings: Maria Clapsis Strybards and Animatics (lcated n IFAS - DVD set Aids Animatic, I Saw a Ship Animatic, Jack and Jill Animatic, Knave f Hearts Animatic) DTS pp. 21-45, 47-73 IFAS pp. 176-232, 233-249 AWAD pp. 153-174 HTWFA pp. 123-128 Assignment: Develpment Cntracts (GO OUT) Read carefully! Screenings: Gpher Brke (lcated n IFAS - DVD set) DTS pp. 75-108 WFACG pp. 3-25 IFAS pp. 8-29 AWAD pp. 39-58 HTWFA pp. 35-43 HAND Where D Ideas Cme Frm? Assignment: Develpment Cntracts (DUE BACK) Sign & Pst using the View/Cmplete Assignment link in Bb. Screenings: Jhn and Michael (2004) by Shira Avni, Future f Gaming (2007) by Jhnny Hardstaff, Harvey Krumpet by Adam Ellit, Jhnny Brav by Van Partible, Peter and the Wlf by Sergie Prkfiev, Hw Mermaids Breed (2003) by Jan Ashwrth. Page 15 f 22
5. Feb. 1 6. Feb. 8 Develping Characters: The Animatin Stry vs. Pitch Bible: DTS pp. 111-189 IFAS pp. 30-63 AWAD pp. 201-259 HTWFA pp. 44-60 HAND Screenings: A Buck s Wrth, Nggin (lcated n IFAS - DVD set), Finding Nem DTS pp. 191-239 IFAS pp. 98-128 AWAD pp. 59-75 HAND Interview with Brad Bird, Her is a Fur-letter Wrd, The Enneagram, The Lure f the Darkside (See Curse Materials menu in Bb) Assignment: Idea Ntebk (first 3 ideas) Part 1 is due (see syllabus pp. 8-9). Pst using the View/Cmplete Assignment link in Bb. Screenings: under Curse Materials DTS pp. 241-296 IFAS pp. 129-155 AWAD pp. 77-109 WFACG - pp. 61-63 HTWFA pp. 61-74 HAND Templates Psted (See Curse Dcs menu in Bb) Assignment: 3 Character Bis/Sketches frm Idea Ntebk Part 1 are due (Pst using the View/Cmplete Assignment link in Bb and share in Class). Page 16 f 22
7. Feb. 15 8. Feb. 22 Mar. 1 st NO CLASS 9. Mar. 8 Basic Animatin Writing Structure: Premise Scene Outline Genres in Animatin: Frmal Decnstructive Plitical Abstract Re-narratin Paradigmatic Primal Getting n t the Script: Key Scenes SPRING BREAK/ MODULAR WEEK (Feb. 28 Mar. 6, 2011) Unmasking the Animated Shrt: Screenings: DTS pp. 299-321 WFACG pp. 27-54 IFAS pp. 129-159 AWAD pp.111-151, 175-180 HTWFA pp. 75-122 HAND - Scriptwriting Guidelines fr Animatrs (See Curse Dcs menu in Bb) Assignment: Idea Ntebks (secnd 3 ideas) - Part 2 is due. Pst using the View/Cmplete Assignment link in Bb. Screenings: TBA DTS pp. 323-334 AWAD pp. 261-274 HTWFA pp. 129-135 HAND Sample Script/s (See Script Library menu in Bb) Assignments: 3 Character Bis/Sketches frm Idea Ntebk Part 2 are due (Pst using the View/Cmplete Assignment link in Bb and share in Class). Nthing due use this time t catch up n readings, wrk ahead, etc. Screenings: WALL-E, Prest and Burn-E etc. IFAS pp. 27-29, pp. 64-67 Page 17 f 22
10. Mar. 15 11. Mar. 22 12. Mar. 29 Unmasking the Half-Hur Segment: (TV) Keys t Feature Writing: Writing within the Gaming Traditin: HTWFA pp. 136-142 GGASW (See table f cntents fr animatin shrts mdels 7 minute, 11 minute, and 22 minute structures) HAND Sample Script/s (See Script Library menu in Bb) Assignment: Stry Bible/Treatment/Cncept Prpsals due (see syllabus pp. 8-9). Pst using the View/Cmplete Assignment link in Bb. Screenings: TBA AWAD pp. 181-194 HTWFA pp. 143-173 HAND Sample Script/s (See Script Library menu in Bb) Screenings: Mnsters, Inc IFAS pp. 92-97 r view DVD AWAD pp. 275-285 HAND Sample Script/s (See Script Library menu in Bb) Assignment: Wrking Outlines/Intensive Walkthrughs due (see syllabus pp. 8-9). Pst using the View/Cmplete Assignment link in Bb. Screenings: TBA WFACG pp. 139-175, 177-210 AWAD pp. 287-300 HAND Batman: Arkham Asylum and Call f Duty: Mdern Warfare Page 18 f 22
13. Apr. 5 14. Apr. 12 15. Apr. 19 LAST DAY OF CLASS Guest Speaker: Dave Cley will be with us fr a build clinic (Pt. 2) re: the final animatic. The Animatin Matrix: Pipeline University Pixar Disney Dreamwrks Writers Speak! (Stack, Dilwrth, Plymptn, Scarbrugh, Van Bruggen, Giffrd, Partible) Wells, pp. 172-179 Agents, Netwrking, and Finding Wrk: Marketing and Pitching: Stracynski & Arnsn Curse Wrap-up! Walkthrughs Screenings: Human Wrld Tur f Pixar Animatin (Mnsters, Inc) AWAD pp. 301-313 HAND Develpment Deals Assignment: Strybards (cutscene/ prerendered cinematic inside Level One Play fr Game Designers) Pst using the View/Cmplete Assignment link in Bb and present in class! Screenings: TBA WFACG pp. 55-71 IFAS pp. 172-175 AWAD pp. 315-318 HTWFA pp. 177-184, 185-193 HAND Breaking-in With Student Cmpetitins ; Jeffrey Sctt Prfessinal Writing Resume (See Curse Dcs menu in Bb) Assignment: Final Animatics - presented in Class! Als, psted using the prfessr s passwrd prtected strage link at www.4shared.cm (TBA). 16. Apr. 26 FINAL PROJECTS DUE by midnight tnight! (N extensins: wrked graded n what is cmpleted by this date) If yu cntracted at the beginning f the curse t develp a Feature Length Prpsal... Uplad and attach t Bb three (3) Key Scenes (a minimum f 3 pages each) assciated with yur feature... and deliver them in full animatin script frmat... frm Act 1 (Inciting Incident), Act 2 Page 19 f 22
(Turning Pint in the Life f yur Main Character), Act 3 (Climax), including all final artwrk, character bis, strybard and functinal animatic. If yu cntracted at the beginning f the curse t develp a Shrt Film... Uplad and attach t Bb a cmplete 9-10 page shrt... and deliver it in full animatin script frmat, including all final artwrk, character bis, strybard and functinal animatic. If yu cntracted at the beginning f the curse t develp a Televisin Series... Uplad and attach t Bb three (3) Key Scenes (a minimum f 3 pages each) assciated with yur Pilt Cartn Episde... and deliver them in full TV Script frmat frm Act 1 (Teaser), Act 2 (Turning Pint in the Life f yur Main Character), Act 3 (Climax), including all final artwrk, character bis, strybard and functinal animatic. If yu cntracted at the beginning f the curse t develp a Gaming Prject... Uplad and attach t Bb three (3) Key Scenaris/Missins/Encunters (a minimum f 3 pages each) frm Level One Play Intensive Walkthrugh... and deliver them in full animatin script frmat, including all final artwrk, character bis, strybard and functinal animatic. UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND RESOURCES Please review the fllwing links and summaries fr imprtant infrmatin n University plicies: Extensins Academic Calendar/Registrar Infrmatin Bkstre Hnr/Plagiarism Plicy Regent Library Student Services (includes links t student handbk, disability services, University calendar, University Writing Center, etc.) Technical Supprt University Helpdesk Disability Statement the student is respnsible fr cntacting the assistant directr f Student Services at 757.352.4486 t request accmmdatins, prvide necessary dcumentatin, and make arrangement with each instructr. The fllwing website is designed t help ur disabled students learn f their rights and respnsib8ilties with regard t disability services. The site als has resurces fr faculty t becme better infrmed f their respnsibilities tward the disable students in their classes. www.regent.edu/admin/stusrv/student_life/disabilities.cfm Unless stated by the instructr in class, all assignments are due n the date stated in the syllabus at the beginning f that class perid. Late assignments will be graded dwn as indicated abve withut an apprved extensin. Except in cases f extreme emergency, requests fr extensins must be made t the instructr, at least (24) twenty fur hurs befre the assignment is due. Be prepared t defend yur reasn why yu need the extensin. Remember, deadlines in the film business are taken very seriusly. This class, in preparing students t wrk prfessinally, will take the same attitude. Page 20 f 22
Incmplete Grades Students desiring an incmplete must submit their request t the curse instructr and academic dean prir t the end f the term. An incmplete grade will be given in a regular curse nly fr legitimate deficiencies due t illness, emergencies r extrardinary reasns acceptable t the prfessr, including equipment breakdwn and shrtages, and nt because f neglect n the student s part. Incmpletes require the final apprval f the schl dean r his/her authrized representative. A regular grade will be given by the instructr if all requirements fr the curse are submitted by the end f the fllwing academic term. The instructr will submit the new grade t the Registrar s Office n later than tw weeks after the beginning f the subsequent term. If all wrk is nt submitted by the end f the term fllwing the granting f the incmplete, a grade f FX (NP n pass/fail curses) will be psted autmatically unless a Request fr Extensin f Incmplete has been apprved and submitted t the Registrar s Office. The FX shall be cunted as an F in the cmputatin f the GPA. Any student desiring reinstatement t the curse after an FX r NP has been psted must register fr the curse in a subsequent term and pay the full current tuitin fr the curse. In prgress grades can nly be given fr independent studies, internships, practica, prtflis, theses and dissertatins. N incmpletes fr lack f time will be ffered fr ANIM 210. Part f the discipline f btaining a cllege r university educatin is the ability t plan deadlines fr required wrk and t meet them. I cnsider assigning a grade f incmplete nly when the fllwing cnditins are satisfied: (a) the student has cmpleted a substantial majrity f the wrk required fr the curse (75%); (b) there is an acute, severe, and unfreseen emergency that invlves either the student r a member f the student s immediate family, an emergency that in the judgment f any reasnably bjective persn renders the student cmpletely incapable f finishing the remaining wrk in a timely manner; and (c) prir t this emergency, the student s academic standing in this curse has been gd (i.e., at least at the B level). Under n circumstances will I assign such a grade because f prcrastinatin r neglect n the student s part. Screenings We are all adults in this schl. Any piece f animatin I encurage yu t study is purely fr educatinal and instructive purpses t develp critical abilities rather than fr entertainment. In the case that the prject recmmended is at the R-rated level, and yu plitely indicate t me that yu are having prblem, I will ffer a substitute at the PG 13 r lighter rating. That said as Christians we must be careful t remember: 1) nt even the Bible, itself, pulls the shades n the blemishes f its characters in ther wrds, realism is there fr an apparent purpse, and nt t glss ver the radical depravity f the human heart (Jer. 17:9); 2) if we whitewash human sin and try t sentimentalize the gspel, peple in the wrld will challenge ur dishnesty and may even make light f the answers we ffer. Sin is serius business it cst the sinless Sn f Gd His life n a crss. Fr these reasns, truth des nt change accrding t ur ability t stmach it emtinally. Indeed, the Bible is filled with PG-13, R, and even (what sme might call) X-rated material (i.e., rape, incest, murder, adultery, dismembered cncubines, etc.). Of curse ur purpse as Christian writers is nt t "glamrize" human sin, r t dwell upn it. But as Cathlic nvelist Flannery O'Cnnr was fnd f saying: "the message f redemptin is f n effect in a wrld withut any memry f the vilence f human sin" (Mystery and Manners). In ther wrds, fr O Cnnr the gspel must becme bad news befre it is gd news, etc. Page 21 f 22
Christian writer and film critic Ken Gire hears Gd speak in the mst unlikely places in his millennial ffering, Reflectins On The Mvies, where he prpses there is ften far mre at stake than ur ffended sensibilities when it cmes t film and art,... I wuld rather be tld an R-rated truth than a G-rated lie (35). In ther wrds, fr Gire, it is nt a G-rated wrld that we live in and yet ur Gd is present t speak in/thrugh everything. Student Curse Evaluatin Becming Christian leaders includes learning hw t evaluate thers by prviding hnest evaluatins that include psitive affirmatin and cnstructive feedback, as apprpriate. In additin, such evaluatin leads t the cntinual imprvement f curses and student learning. Cnsequently, university plicy requires that all students submit a frmal student evaluatin f teaching frm at the end f the academic term. This mandatry requirement must be cmpleted befre students will be able t access their final curse grade. This frm is nly available in an nline frmat. Prir t the end f the curse, students will receive an e- mail indicating that the frm is available. Instructins n accessing the evaluatin will be included. Since these evaluatins are nly available fr a limited time, students shuld cmplete the evaluatin as sn as they receive the e-mail ntificatin that the evaluatin frm is available. Instructrs will nt have access t curse evaluatins until after grades have been submitted and will nly have access t annymus summary data. Students are als encuraged at any pint during the term t ffer cmments that may be helpful t the imprvement r refinement f the curse. Students can access the nline evaluatin system at: http://eval.regent.edu/regentsurvey/students.cfm. If yu have questins abut the nline evaluatin please cntact evaluatin@regent.edu. Last Updated: 11/19/2010 At times, due t unfreseen circumstances, curse cntent may be subject t change. Please check with yur Prfessr t insure yu have the mst recently updated Syllabus fr this curse. Regent University 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23464 Phne (888) 718-1222 2010 Regent University, All Rights Reserved. Page 22 f 22