This course aims History of Animation and Visual Effects, focusing on innovator creators and techniques. It provides knowledge of professional players and main factors in animation and VFX industry. It also gives the students criteria and tools to interpret and to criticize animation products.
Titular Professors
Professors
.
Gain a global understanding of the history of animation and special effects. Learn about the principle creators in both fields. Develop criteria for interpreting and evaluating critically the work of established creators, professional colleagues as well as your own.
1) Introduction to the history and culture of animation. Pioneers of animation. Pioneers of trick photography and special effects.
2) The relationship between animation and the avant-garde.
3) The first cartoons. Disney and the Fleisher brothers.
4) The first animated feature films. Disney and its global impact. The golden age of cartoons in the United States.
5) Special effects and animation. Willis O´Brien, Ray Harryhausen and George Pal.
6) Animation in Eastern Europe.
7) Practical effects, ILM and the beginning of the digital era.
8) The underground and new forms of animation. Independent animation.
9) The birth of computer animation. The creation of Pixar. The golden age of Siggraph and the consolidation of the digital image. Independent digital animation film makers.
10) The Cutting Edge - student created module - the latest trends and advances in animation and VFX.
The course combines the - Lectures followed by students' active participation and feedback discussions. -Screenings commented in class. - Screenings at home. - Reading at home. - lectures and discussions on screened films. - Presentations, seminars and conferences by professionals. - Presentations by classmates.
EVALUATION SYSTEM
• Group work culminating in class presentations or video essays. Peer evaluation
• Individual essay.
• Final exam in which students demonstrate their learning of the basic concepts of the subject.
• Group projects & individual essay: 40% of the final mark.
• Exam: 60% of the final mark. (if > 4,5/10).
.
Cavalier, Stephen. A World History of Animation. University of California. 2011
Fails, Ian. Masters of VFX. ILEX. 2015
Furniss, Maureen. Animation. The Global History. Thames and Hudson. 2017
Rickett, Richard. Special Effects: The History and Technique. Aurum Press. 2006
Beck, Jerry. The 50 Greatest Cartoons: As Selected by 1,000 Animation Professionals. Atlanta: Turner, 1994. -
Beckerman, Howard. Animation: The Whole Story. New York: Allworth, 2003. -
Faber, Liz, Helen Walters. Animation Unlimited: Innovative Short Films since 1940.London: Laurence King, 2003.
Furniss, Maureen. The Animation Bible. New York: Abrams, 2008.
Kanfer, Stefan. Serious Business: The Art and Commerce of Animation in America from Betty Boop to Toy Story. New York: Scribner, 1997.
McCall, Douglas L. Film Cartoons: A Guide to 20th Century American Animated Features and Shorts. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1998.
Russett, Robert, and Cecile Starr, eds. Experimental Animation: Origins of a New Art.New York: Da Capo, 1988.
Paul Wells Understanding Animation (Routledge, UK, 1998)? - Wiedemann, Julius, ed. Animation NOW! London: Taschen, 2004.