Cognitive Science 0346 - Animated Short Films

In this class students will conceptualize and prepare a short animated film, examining the process of creating animated shorts regarding conception, pitching, scripting, design, storyboarding, budgeting, and scheduling. Lectures will look at previous examples at each stage of the process and the various approaches appropriate for different venues (independent shorts, web content, grant writing, television pitches, features), and will discuss the broad landscape of opportunities. Course work will involve various experiments and exercises to develop and conceptualize a film. Ultimately, students will present a complete proposal for an animated film, show, or series. Narrative games and interactive installations are also welcome, though the course generally focuses solely on filmic storytelling. Live action concepts are acceptable if they have a significant, integral animation element. Students are encouraged to delve deeply and work at their own pace based on their intended medium and platform while still engaging with regular course work. Prerequisite detail: Students interested in this course must have a demonstrable level of mastery of some form of animation, and have taken at least one related college level course.

Independent Work In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research.