Description: Arch 5422 is a 3-credit workshop/seminar that explores moviemaking through exercises in computer animation. Approximately four independently developed short animations constitute the work of the term culminating in a one to five minute time-length final movie project. Subject areas for individual projects may range from short narrative movies involving character animation to the analysis of mico-scale environments or larger scale architectural and landscape settings.

Built environments and natural landscapes may be experienced according to our own changing eye point of view, the transformation of light and objects, as well as the movement of other people. In addition, objects found in architecture and nature reveal formal, tectonic and spatial orders that can be understood through animated sequences that depict varying intervals of time.Story telling, whether by means of simple character animation or more complex scene description, may be related to these contextual aspects of either real or imagined environments. An in-depth exploration of NURBS three-dimensional modeling and rendering will be the basis for representing built and natural environments, sculpting characters and creating complex geometrical forms. An inertial system motion capture body suit will be used to expand upon character animation and the study of movement. The work of the seminar will be informed by screenings of student work and of other movies. Discussion of perceptual phenomenon will provide a framework for the development and critique of individual work.

Enrollment:  There are no prerequisites. It is anticipated that an interdisciplinary group of students admitted to the seminar will bring perspectives from across the fine arts and design. and may also include those with an interest in computer science, media studies, physical simulation, educational instructional technology or forensics.

Technology: The principal software is Maya, a professionally used product in computer animation and movie production. Other  related products may be introduced this term as time allows for animation, including special software focused on sound editing and production. Maya provides an advanced set of animation techniques, such as instantiated motion, inverse kinematics, motion capture data, compositing, fluid dynamics effects, hair and clothing simulation and other special effects. Also used in the term will be software for digital video editing, compositing, morphing, sound capture and editing. Free educationally restricted copies of Maya are available for students in degree-granting programs and who have access to a personal computer. In additional, low cost educational copies are avaialble with special pricing options and will be referred to at the beginning of the course.  Per university pandemic restrictions continuing throughSummer Session 2021, this is an online synchronous course on Zoom (Collab “Online Meetings”). You are not expected to be on Grounds for any assignments or meetings.

Course Sequence: This subject is similar to arch 5420; however, the summer term venue is concentrated over a smaller time-frame and provides a more continuous day to day context in which to expore the work.

image from third animation exercise by student John Dimeo