Sean McComber, Eric Farrar, Todd Fechter, and Kyoung Lee Swearingen
University of Texas at Dallas, USA
Title: Building an Animation Production Course for University Animation Students
Biography
Biography: Sean McComber, Eric Farrar, Todd Fechter, and Kyoung Lee Swearingen
Abstract
Preparing students for careers in the animation industry can be a challenge. Over the past three years we have developed an Animation Production Studio course in which we strive to mimic a studio production environment. In this course students have the opportunity to drive the entire production pipeline including story development, layout, modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering/compositing, and sound design, as well as project planning and management. Students work in a collaborative environment and develop skills with specific production tasks in addition to gaining critical experience in working as part of a large, multi-disciplinary team with definite production goals and deadlines. The problem solving and time management skills developed in this course help prepare our students not only for the film and game industries, but also for the myriad new and emerging areas of animation and visualization. This lecture will discuss the structure of the course, what has and has not worked over the past three years, and how the evolution of this course has helped to prepare students for work after college, drive the growth and direction of the ATEC animation program, and create several award winning short films.