82320 Animation Studio: Narrative Investigations
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 12 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 82220 Animation Studio: Foundations in Animation Design AND 82221 Context: Introduction to 3D and 2D Hybrid Animation
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This studio enables students to engage with processes that advance critical and creative thinking. It has an emphasis on critical analysis of animation as a communication medium, and an understanding of the role of design, character and performance in communicating ideas. Projects explore the conceptualisation of complex ideas and narrative drive through design and storyboarding to full animation, with a strong emphasis on experimentation. Building on the fundamental animation skills acquired in first year, students incorporate these principles directly into studio projects.
Continued emphasis is placed on the use of primary research processes grounded in first-hand experience, case studies, collection and observation as well as the use of secondary research processes. Students should be prepared to explore ideas through numerous iterations and avoid formula and cliché. The subject explores psychology and emotional drive within production design, character, performance, film language, camera, composition, narrative structure, sound and dialogue.
An important aspect of this subject is the development of collaborations with key creative partners. This supports students' professional practice and their ability to work in a team, exchange ideas, negotiate and communicate effectively with co-creators.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Experiment with forms of acting and movement language |
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| 2. | Demonstrate a complex understanding of plot devices and skilled use of narrative drive through scripting and storyboarding |
| 3. | Articulate clear and coherent connections between research and ideas development |
| 4. | Develop an advanced ability to collaborate and negotiate with co-creators and evolve productive outcomes |
| 5. | Show a developing practice of multiple iterations of design and ideas through ongoing documentation |
| 6. | Produce full animation projects from concept to finished animation |
| 7. | Critically assess ideas and animation as a communication medium |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to position work within a wider social and cultural context (A.2)
- Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, negotiate differences and take a leadership role when required (C.1)
- Ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively in verbal and visual presentations (C.2)
- Ability to develop unique aesthetic and movement languages for animation (I.2)
- Ability to demonstrate a high level of craft and production values across all methods of animation process (P.2)
- Ability to undertake primary and secondary research, exploring a wide range of visual and textual materials, and connect research process to final outcomes (R.1)
- Ability to iterate, reflect, edit and engage in self-critique and critical thinking (R.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is comprised of weekly sessions of 1 x 1hr lecture plus 1 x 2hr and 1 x 3hr workshops and tutorials delivered in online and face to face modes. Students will be participating in individual tutorials, group discussions and team-based activities throughout the semester. Activities will include presentations, visual tasks and exercises, case studies and external visits. The subject includes active learning experiences where ongoing feedback is provided weekly in on-campus engagements such as interactive lecture sessions and studios. It is therefore imperative that students attend all on-campus engagements.
This subject uses the problem-based learning strategy that involves students in researching and developing their own solutions to complex design challenges. The subject uses design professionals as mentors and guest lecturers to ensure that all content and tasks are relevant to current professional practice in a global context. The lecture sessions will provide knowledge relevant to the subject, enabling students to work on their design projects. Added to this there is an expectation of approx. 10 hours of self-directed practice outside class hours each week.
In this subject you will be given ongoing feedback from your studio mentor who will provide feedback verbally. It is the students' responsibility to take notes of any feedback provided in studio. Students will be expected to actively participate in collaborative peer review feedback exercises. Grades, marks and a summary of feedback on final design submissions will be provided through ReView.
Content (topics)
This subject addresses the ways in which we source, analyse and communicate ideas and the way that animators then develop these ideas through design, narrative structures, mise-en-scène and performance. Projects are designed to cover areas such as:
- The relationship between written texts and film
- Critical evaluation of animation history and theory
- Key considerations in adapting another author’s work
- The role of design, sound and performance in communicating a narrative.
Activities will include meetings with key collaborators, specialist demonstrations, presentations of ideas, development and communication of a coherent design and production process, team collaboration.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: External Project
| Intent: | Develop, design and produce a short animation of up to 60 seconds based on a specific brief Outcomes:
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.1, C.2, I.2, P.2 and R.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Presentation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Critical Thinking Presentation and participation in class activities
| Intent: | Research, discussion and presentation of critical analysis of a research topic. Outcomes:
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 3 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.2, R.1 and R.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Essay | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Character Design
| Intent: | Design of original character for taking into a 3D performance context, plus overall participation in class activities. Outcomes: Final character design, fully coloured as A2 character concept art and digital file; Proactive participation in class activities, workshops, discussions and presentations 5 page portfolio of process work
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 3, 5 and 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.2, I.2 and R.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Presentation | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.
Other resources
Academic Writing UTS
https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/self-help-resources/academic-writing
Writing, Reading and Speaking Skills
https://www.lib.uts.edu.au/help/study-skills/writing-reading-speaking
Animation Studies Journal
https://journal.animationstudies.org
HELPS UTS
https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/about-helps
Journal articles, databases, software tutorials and more:
https://www.lib.uts.edu.au?
Lynda.com - access this through the UTS library with your log in details. The Lynda link is on the library home page:
https://www.lib.uts.edu.au