Architecture 5420: Computer Animation And Storytelling
Due: in-class screening,Thursday, December 14, 2023, 1:00 pm to 3 pm, Campbell 105. * **
Exercise 5: final animation (DRAFT)

Create a 1 to 3 minute animation incorporating any of the techniques and phenomenon (i.e., process, time, light) into a short movie sequence on a theme or subject of your own choosing. This project should be complete with respect to storytelling-like content in terms of having a "beginning", "middle" and "end" or in other words a premise, buildup and resolution. Greater length animations of up to 4 minutes are allowable if needed to convey the content, but generally such a time length goes beyond what is necessary. It also may be difficult to reach due to  rendering time constraints. Completeness, consistency, elements of story are more important than time length:

1. The movie should convey a visual or spatial idea.
   
2. It should provide primarily a visual rather than spoken or text narrative.
   
3. It may engage the potential of the built or natural environment, animated characters or objects to shape your narrative.
4. Create several separate sequences at the same resolution. Note 1280 x 720 (720 HD) resolution is optimal if rendering times permit, 960 x 540 (540 HD) resolution is recommended if higher resolution rendering times are too high, and 1920 x 1080 (1080 HD) resolution would be the highest resolution quality and is acceptible but is likely to require too much rendering time.
5. Pace your efforts before the final screening by working according to your own production shedule.
6. Use any combination of one or more of the rendering options through Maya, including Maya Software, VRay, Maya Hardware, or, Arnold (ask for special instuctions on this option, but not recommended if you have not worked with it this term). Render your work in medium to high raytrace quality.
7. Post your work to the submit folder for exercise 5 as well as on a backup storage device for your own safekeeping.
8. Use composite rendering and editng techniques to allow flexibility in putting together sequences and to save time.
   
9. Record your work to a jpeg or png file animation sequence(s). Note that the png file render frame format defaults to the "alpha" channel turned on and consequently may create a transparent background. If using the png file format, be careful to turn off the Alpha channel except where needed for composite rendering. In Maya it is recommended that you use the jpg file format to keep your work flow simpler and bypass the alpha channel option completely.
10. Compile the resulting animation in a "mp4"  format .
11. Use OpenShot or other editing software at your discretion. Place your work in your Classes submit folder 30 mimutes before screening time. Submit a short 1 to 2 paragraph written description by the screening time (you may have a grace period of a day after the review for any updates or final description if needed).
12. Plan to meet with Earl Mark for consulting as needed.

* The timing of the final screening has been coordinated with all students enrolled in the class to, where possible, accommodate studio final reviews in the School of Architecture or other final exams if any are scheduled at the same time. If other scheduling conflicts published on the UVA final exam schedule exist ten  they will take precedence over this screening for the individual studen. Any alternative arrangments should be discussed with the course instructor, Earl Mark. This event is privately for the students, SIA and instructor for the class only.
** Prepare to have a working representation of your final project by the screening time using Playblast if necessary and submitted to your exercise 5 submit folder on the Classes server. It's best to target completeness two days ahead of the screening and use the remaining time for editing and any fine tuning. Campbell 105 will open no later than 10 am on December 14, the date of the final screening and discussion, for anyone wishing to setup early. You may submit final versions of your work up until next day, December 15th, at noon.