module specification

Students produce a short quality animation based their own brief around a market, audience and area of animation specialisation of their own choice and the pre-production and production plans developed and started in module CU3P30N Individual Animation Project Part 1. Students should aim to produce an animation that is entertaining, interesting, original and memorable and to a high standard of techical and creative production.


Students develop an understanding of issues relevant to the production and distribution of animation for different uses. Students produce an animation with a defined market, objective and distribution platform. The emphasis of this Part 2 of the animation project will on production, post-production, marketing and promotion of the animation and themselves as animators.

Intermediate level of BSc Computer Animation

The aim of the module is to give the students the opportunity to produce an animation that reflects their skills, knowledge and understanding of the animation process, techniques and industry.

The module also gives the students the opportunity to continue with the development of their Personal Development Plan (PDP) and their understanding of the issues surrounding the production of animation focused on a clear market sector and career direction. Through this students identify and research career opportunities, mapping the requirements and benefits of the career against their own skills and motivations and then learning about and producing the evidence that will enable them to market and promote their skills and achievements.

The aim is also to give the students experience in designing and producing a range of marketing instruments (e.g. website, graduate show and folio) that will enable them to reach their intended destination.

?Producing a quality animation as defined in the pre-production plans (the animation bible).
? making animatics
? sound development
? compositing and post production
? testing and evaluation process
? types of technological distribution
? types of platforms for computer animation
? working independently under supervision
? using self-evaluation to improve ones work and working practice

Students work independently with guidance from the module teaching team. The coursework assignment is designed to enhance learning by offering a process model with clear and specified phases. Students have regular progress meetings with their tutors where they are offered guidance and feedback on the development of their work.

In addition students are expected to spend a significant number of hours carrying out research connected with the subject, developing the style of the animation and working on project.

On completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate their:

? knowledge and understanding of some of the creative and technical issues surrounding animation production [A2];
? ability to use research skills to investigate different uses and identify a target market and audience for their animation project and career aspirations [A2];
? ability to use research skills to investigate types of delivery platforms and identify a suitable platform for their animation project [A2];
? ability to adopt a professional approach and work ethic to the production of an animation project [A2];
? ability to deliver the project on time [A3];
? ability to use self evaluation to improve their work and working practice [A1].
?demonstrate communication and presentation skills [A1];
? ability to use appropriate software tools and techniques to take the proposed animation project into production and post-production. [A3];
- ability to design and produce a range of initiatives to market and promote the animation and themselves (e.g. web site, show reel, participation in the end of year show, business cards/flyers, application to festivals and shows) [A2,A3]

Cantor J & Valencia P (2004) Inspired short film production. Thompson. ISBN: 1-59200-117-3
Sullivan, Schumer & Alexander (2008) Ideas for the animated short. Focal press. ISBN: 978-0-240-80860-4
Simon M (2003) Producing independent 2 D character animation. Focal press. ISBN:0-240-80513-5
Milic L & McConville Y (2006) The animation Producer's Handbook. McGraw-Hill. ISBN0-335-22036-3

Industry organizations and websites

www.imagineanimation .net
www.cartoon-media.be
www.bfi.org.uk
www.skillset.org
www.animationbase.com