Today was the first module briefing for the MA Animation course. Animation Exploration was briefed first because of the Queen's last-minute funeral bank holiday, so the Professional & Cultural Contexts Module briefing is postponed till next week.
Intro to Tessa & Sarah (Staff)
At the start of the lecture, we were introduced to Tessa Pettitt (Course Administrator) is the key contact if you wish to know about assessment marks, exam boards, registration, and attendance. Her like is the TV show Doctor which is her thing.
After meeting Tessa, we were introduced to the new Creative Technical demonstrator, Sarah Brown (she started in August 2022). Before Sarah got a job at Salford University she worked at a games company called TT Game, which made many LEGO games franchisees. She worked as an Animator [Jun 2009 - May 2011]; Cutscene Animator [May-Oct 2011]; Animator (Cutscene) for Traveller’s Tales [Oct 2011 - Jul 2021]. But from August of last year, 2021; she set up her own self-employed Children's Book Author & Illustrator.
Blackboard Resources
Module Information
After meeting Terra & Sarah, we had a deep dive into blackboard's Learning materials. First, we had a look at the Module Information folder which would be the one-stop shop where we could find a downloadable PDF version of the brief (for the module). The Welcome page and the About page will have extracts of the brief broken down into more digestible-to-understand pieces.
Reading List
Another important section on Blackboard is the reading list where all the books that are suggested reading for the module are listed. These should help me through this module.
Essential Texts
- The Fundamentals of Animation
- Animation Writing & Development: From Script Development to Pitch
- Identity in Animation: A Journey into Self, Difference, Culture & the Body
- Sketching for Animation: Developing Ideas, Characters & Layouts in your Sketchbook
- Dream Worlds: Production Design in Animation
These books align with the module itself
Recommend Reading
- Animator's Survival Kit (The Bible of Animation, the most important book during the course)
- Animation in Context: A Practical Guide to Theory and Making
- Prepare to Board: Creating Story & Characters for Animated Features & Shorts
- Layout and Composition for Animation
- Stop Motion
- Game Anim Video Game Animation Explained: Video Game Animation Explained
These books are for my discretion
I'm not expected to read these books from cover to cover. Maybe a bit from one chapter here and there to get me some guidance for tasks.
Short Animation Archives
Short of the Week
We've got to be connoisseurs of animation. Good enough that I watch animation a lot in different forms so that's why I have a passion for it. Most usual go-to's for animation is recommended on YouTube or find them by serendipity on certain Netflix. But here on Shorts of the Week is a curation that has very specific channels like Documentaries, Animation, Sci-Fi, Comedy, Drama, etc. The best thing about short of the week is that it has a flavour of the month from many festivals around the world.
BFI had a big centenary recently, so they've added a bunch of free-to-view content from the history of British animation. That might be a nice cultural or contextual resource to see where animation has come from in this area.
Nation Film Board of Canada
Similarly, the NFBC has a really good and a half hide resource for all their animations.
Curated LinkedIn Resources
I was shown these LinkedIn materials on Blackboard that are related to this module.
These are 2 new LinkedIn courses (below), I haven't seen these courses but this year I'm going to
browse all these videos so I can get the certificates of completion.
Learning Character Development and Design
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During my bachelor's course, I watched these 3 LinkedIn courses to complete and got a certificate of completion.
Animation Foundations: Storyboarding
21 Foundations of Animation
Applying the Foundations of Animation
Module Briefing Notes
Today was the briefing lecture for this module. I was shown the briefing notes made from the assessment brief. The assessment tasks that are needed for this module are to create/present a 20min presentation pitch about what I will be making for my Major Production Project. Also, I need to do a Digital Portfolio of the creative process in a blog.
Briefing & Brief Overview
A Sustained Study
Aims of the Module
Assessed Learning Outcomes
Knowledge & Understanding
Transferable/Key Skills
Employability Skills
Divergent & Convergent Thinking
Marking & Feedback
Assessment Grid - Mark Breakdowns
Submission - Digital Portfolio
Submission - Presentation
Guidelines
Reassessment
Assessment Brief in the Detail
Luca Behind-the-Scenes Book
I was shown the pdf version of The Art of Disney Pixar's Luca book. We looked at many of the behind-the-scenes pages like the concept art, character designs, storyboards, 3D/clay maquettes, 3D models, Location Scouting, etc.
Padlet of Favourite
For next week, I have to fill out this padlet with my favourite animations, worldbuilding & character designs.
Breaking out of a Rut
We've been given this Reading Task for a LinkedIn Course that will help me break a creative rut. A way to fix creative blocks and activities to break this.
