Finals Checklist for Monday, May 1, 2017

For the last day of class and finals that follows, you will be asked to turn in completed versions of the art you have been making this semester! I'm looking for a specific set of sequences from each of you, and have detailed my expectations below! 

Overview: You are turning in the following:

• one video of 18 seconds of your final project
• one video of your solo film's progress to date.
• one video of your group project
• one video of your individual contributions to your group project
• two folders: each with animatics, designs, and concepts from each project!
• One link to a place that you are showcasing your current work online! If you need a refresher in doing this, refer to this link.

Solo Project:

• minimum of 18 seconds of quality animation.
• cleaned up line art and backgrounds.
• refined animation and storytelling.
• visuals for the 18 seconds of your film should be consistent, be it black and white, greyscale with shadow, or full color. craftsmanship is important!
• add a title card and credits to your film
• create a document that outlines a strategy for completing your film outside of this semester. (what would you do next?)
• use what you learn in your group assignment to help you strategize future projects!
• any extra content produced beyond this improves your grade
• You will turn in two versions:
• one file marked "lastname_f_solo18" which highlights only the animation sequences you want me to grade.
• one file marked "lastname_f_solofilm" which showcases your entire film to this date. this is the one that should have a title screen and credits created.
• You will turn in all of your development sketches and designs with your work as well for review and final grading.

Group Project:

• Animation should be cleaned up!
• Shots should be painted!
• Title card and credits!
• In your group project, the story should be fully told, and the sequences should be complete!
• The test for your final is taking what you currently have with your group project and turning it into a finished film within the time allotted! What you decide to keep/cut, revise is part of the process!
• When you turn it in, you will turn in 3 files:
• one file with the completed film in it.
• one file with your individual contributions to the project named "lastname_groupsequence"
• animatics and sequences you have produced in the meantime.

I will grade based on the following:

• Craftsmanship: Clean line art, clear environments, polished drawings.
• Clarity of Animation and Storytelling: Movement and flexibility of the characters. The legibility and communication of their actions on screen. The quality of their performance towards the story told.
• Cinematography: Shot choice, character and environment placement, composition.
• Audio production: Your film has a soundscape that is produced!
• Final cut and visual production: Have you turned your animation sequence into a film production? Are the pieces in place to make it complete?
• Design and preproduction: I will be checking for your animatics and your design sheets. These are important for you to have and keep! I'll look at the quality and clarity of drawings, as well as layouts for your scenes!

As mentioned before: anything produced beyond the minimum that I am looking for counts as extra credit!

Group Projects Have Begun! (Reminders for Monday)

Hey everyone! As you know, there is a document on the server that has a full breakdown of what we're doing. This blog becomes more of a list of reminders for you, and any video resources you may need.

For now: Here's a reminder of the list of things you want to create for Monday! Go down the list, do each one, and you're on schedule as a group.  Remember to work together on these!

1. Select Groups
2. Exchange Contact Information - Make sure to give me a copy!
3. Brainstorm Project Ideas!
4. Plan a day to meet together as a group this week to work on your group project!
5. As a team: Produce the following
• Storyboards and Animatic (can be rough, as long as the story is told and timing is right!)
• Tentative design documents! (models, environments, etc.)
• Schedule for the rest of the semester! You can use my template if you so choose.
6. Bring everything to class to review Monday!

Have a great week everyone! I'm looking forward to seeing what you make! =D

Homework for Wednesday! (All students must be present for class!)

Welcome back everyone!  We had an interesting Monday, didn't we? Today, you began your first foray into collaborative animation production!

I gave everyone a packet to read, which is located in the "AN225-Combined" folder on the server! We went through it in class. Read it at home to know what we will be doing, what you're responsible for from now until the end of the semester, and how I will help you complete your projects!

Secondly, use this time to get in contact with people you may be interested in working with! Share ideas, and listen to others!  If you have gotten this far without knowing each other, I've provided the one bit of public information: (School emails for each student) on the server to help you contact people who were absent.  If you were not here on Monday, it is your job to contact both me and students in the class to understand what we will do Wednesday!

In class on Wednesday, we will share ideas for collaborative projects, and finalize groups! If you missed today, you still have time to work with a group. All groups are not finalized until Wednesday during the middle of class! (Groups will all be confirmed at the same time!)

See you Wednesday! Review the packet on the server, read it, and sign it for me!

Have a nice day!

Notes on the collaborative art process!

These are tips for maximum success when creating art as a team!

One of the important facets of artistic creation is the collaborative environment. Everyone must gain the important skill of being able to work with others!  It gives you new points of view for problem solving, and a chance to work on something much larger than an individual could produce in that time. Learn from each other, be willing to teach when necessary, and make something awesome!

Here are some tips to make the collaborative process easier and more enjoyable. Begin reviewing the following information and we will discuss on Wednesday!

1. Allocate responsibilities!

Every member is good at something. Spending 30 minutes in the beginning making a list of what everyone is good at, will help the group succeed in the long run!

2. Check in every two days as a group with progress updates!

You should not tackle this assignment with an “everyone do their part, we’ll put it together in the end” attitude.  Instead, create a list of small, objective-based goals that will help you see your project through to the end! Check in can be done in different ways:  In person, over facebook, during a skype call, in an email chain (hitting REPLY ALL) is your best friend! Or by phone! Get them digits, yo!

3. Create a schedule!

Design a timeline that has, at minimum the following milestones!

1. Story finalized! (do you need a script written? it may help!)
2. Vocals recorded!
3. Music begins production!
4. All sound recorded!
5. All sound effects created!
6. Music is completed and ready to test!
7. Audio mixing begins!
8. In-Progress Track is fully mixed and ready to test!
9. Final mixing is completed and ready to test!
10. Music is revised!
11. Final adjustments complete!

Those are clear objectives that help you make artwork within a group setting. Any large jobs should be broken up into smaller groups.  To help you better function, be willing to help someone with one part of their work with the added notion that that person helps you with your work as well!

4. Brainstorm ideas!  

Go one by one, across the entire group 4 or 5 times.  Pick a person to take notes, and write down every idea everyone has first!  Ask each other why the idea came to mind, and what quality scenarios could be made from the idea.  (The question mentioned just now is what you call an OBJECTIVE question. It gets you thinking in terms of specific goals, and not open-ended thoughts that often end with everyone going "I don't know...")

Sift through each idea with pro and cons lists and see what sticks from each idea! Find a way to incorporate something that everyone likes to create a piece that is greater than the sum of it’s parts!

5. Take turns leading and following when working together!  

If you have an idea, be willing to share it! But make note that you may be working with someone in your group who is usually more on the quiet side. Because of this, be willing to periodically ask the members of your group one of these simple questions:

"What do you think?  How can we get this done?  Do you think there is a better way?  What would you do differently?"

This encourages group participation and encourages critical thinking on all ends of the process!

6. The goal of collaborative art making is twofold: Make incredible art, and have a good time doing it.  

Follow the steps above to make the experience an enjoyable one!

7. Clear Objectives 2:

Be sure to have a goal for all class periods! Someone should take notes of all ideas mentioned.

8. COMMUNICATE!

Before you do anything else, make a list of everyone’s contact information. Emails, phone numbers, instant messengers, and even Facebook addresses if need be.  Once you have an idea you’re happy with, you need to make time during the week to meet together to make epic sound projects!

If you find that you’re having problems, nip it in the bud and talk it out early!  Be cordial, and try to avoid hostile language.  Be mindful that your idea of natural speaking patterns may not be the same as someone’s else. If you make controversial jokes, like to use excessive four-letter language or the like, make sure everyone else in your group is cool with it.  Yes, we're an art school, but you never know. It’s better to check early.

If you often have medical issues, or something unavoidable that you feel may cause you to leave from a collaborative session early, talk with everyone ahead of time.  The best thing you can do is communicate!

Make note of email chains! Start an ongoing conversation with your group mates and make use of the "Reply All" button!

UTILIZE facebook or skype for group conversation when not in class!

If you find that you have a dispute and you need a mediator outside your group, that is what I am here for. Let me know of the problem early, before it becomes much larger! (note: if you feel like you're on the verge of speaking with hostility and a few 4 letter words, stop, take a breather, and come back to the situation when you've calmed down.)

9.  Find each other's strengths!

Everyone, EVERYONE, is good at something.  And part of the collaborative process is finding out what someone else can do, that is done much better than you!  Being open and honest about this makes it easier for you to learn new strategies for alleviating your greatest weaknesses, while helping someone else do the same!  Be open, ask questions, and be willing to ask each other about processes you have yet to try!

----------------------------

One of the important facets of artistic creation is the collaborative environment. Everyone must gain the important skill of being able to work with others!  It gives you new points of view for problem solving, and a chance to work on something much larger than an individual could produce in that time. Learn from each other, be willing to teach when necessary, and make something awesome!