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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 | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 17 of 17 | Eric Goldberg, | SCB205 |  | |
| 1:00-2:50pm | Tuesday | Angie Jones | SCB102 |
3-D animation performance utilizing pre-set rigs and virtual characters. Emphasis on timing, gesture, and performance. Prerequisite: CTAN 201. Open only to sophomores in Animation and Digital Arts.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 201
- 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 | 9:00-11:50am | Wednesday | 19 of 19 | Angie Jones | SCB102 | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Friday | SCB102 |
An introduction to the fundamentals of animation, covering such topics as timing, anticipation, reaction, overlapping action, and metamorphosis.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17850R | 001 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday | 16 of 16 | Trixy Wattenbarger | SCB205 | | |
| 17854R | 001 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Wednesday | 13 of 16 | Sheila Sofian | SCB207 | |
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 | 2:00-4:50pm | Thursday | 15 of 16 | Christine Panushka, | SCB207 | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Monday | Maks Naporowski | SCB102 |
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 | 15 of 19 | Trixy Wattenbarger | SCB205 | |
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 | 15 of 16 | John Mahoney | SCB207 | |
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 | 47 of 48 | Craig Barron | SCB104 | PDF (68900 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17863R | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 10:00-12:50pm | Tuesday | 13 of 15 | Scott Easley | SCIL113 | PDF (606348 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17868R | 001 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | 16 of 16 | Elisabeth Mann | SCB205 | |
Lecture and laboratory in computer animation: geometric modeling, motion specification, lighting, texture mapping, rendering, compositing, production techniques, systems for computer-synthesized animation.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17892R | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-10:00pm | Tuesday | 13 of 15 | Dariush Derakhshani | SCB102 | | |
| 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 | SCB102 | |||||||
| 17894R | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | 13 of 15 | Marcel Valcarce | SCB102 | | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Friday | RZC117 | |||||||
| 17895R | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Thursday | 12 of 15 | Dariush Derakhshani | SCB102 | | |
| 7:00-9:50pm | Friday | SCB102 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17898R | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Monday | 15 of 16 | Frederic Durand | SCB102 | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | RZC117 |
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 | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Friday | Canceled | Frederic Durand | | ||
| 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday |
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 | 9:00-11:50am | Thursday | 13 of 16 | Sheila Sofian | SCB205 | |
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 | 11 of 15 | Teresa Cheng | OFFICE | |
Introduction to software packages and practices exploring current animation techniques that leverage simulation systems. Artificial intelligence as a tool for animation. Prerequisite: CTAN 452.
- Prerequisite: CTAN 452
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17921R | 001 | Lecture-Lab | 7:00-9:50pm | Monday | 8 of 14 | David Bazelon | RZC117 | Word (37681 KB) | |
| 9:00-11:50am | Monday | RZC117 |
An in-depth exploration of aesthetics and techniques involved in the conceptualization, design andcreation of immersive media and stereoscopic imaging. (Duplicates credit in former CTAN 502a)
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17961R | 037 | Lecture-Lab | 9:00-11:50am | Tue, Thu | 14 of 15 | Eric Hanson | RZC117 | PDF (560962 KB) |  |
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 | Wednesday | 11 of 15 | Eric Hanson | RZC117 | PDF (565844 KB) | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Thursday | RZC117 |
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 | 16 of 16 | Richard Goldsmith | SCB205 | |
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 | 10 of 15 | Robert Nederhorst | RZC117 | | |
| 12:00-2:50pm | Wednesday | RZC117 |
A weekly seminar required of all MFA Animation students. This course includes guest speakers, faculty and student presentations followed by lively and critical discussion. Graded CR/NC.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17928D | 037 | Lecture | 6:00-9:00pm | Wednesday | 32 of 49 | Angie Jones | SCB104 | |
Topics exploring the evolution of the brain, development of art, technology, science and culture. How this correlates to the evolution of animation-digital media.
| Section | Session | Type | Time | Days | Registered | Instructor | Location | Syllabus | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17930R | 037 | Lecture | 9:00-11:50am | Monday | 7 of 9 | Kathy Smith | SCB205 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17862D | 037 | Lecture | 10:00-12:50pm | Wednesday | 15 of 16 | Elizabeth Brauer | SCB207 | |
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 | 10:00-12:50pm | Tuesday | 15 of 16 | Trixy Wattenbarger, | SCB205 | | |
| 4:00-6:50pm | Friday | Tom Sito | SCB202 |
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 | 15 of 15 | John Brennan | RZC117 | Word (22021 KB) | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Thursday | RZC117 |
The exploration of the techniques of the art of character animation with an emphasis on discipline, performance and personality observation, specializing in classical Hollywood animation. Open only to Animation and Digital Arts master students.
- 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 | Tuesday | 15 of 16 | Maks Naporowski | SCB102 | | |
| 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | SCA356 |
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 | 1:00-3:50pm | Tuesday | 16 of 16 | Christine Panushka | SCB205 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17971D | 037 | 2.0 | Lecture | 7:00-9:50pm | Tuesday | 8 of 12 | Elisabeth Mann | SCB205 | | |
| 17976R | 037 | 2.0 | Lecture | 1:00-3:50pm | Friday | 14 of 16 | Peter Chung | SCB207 | |
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 | 11 of 18 | Teresa Cheng | OFFICE | |
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 | 4:00-6:50pm | Monday | 15 of 16 | Kathy Smith,Sheila Sofian,Tom Sito,Elisabeth Mann, Trixy Wattenbarger | SCB304 | |