Animation the mechanics of Motion. Publisher: Focal Press; Pap/Cdr edition (18 Dec 2004)

Timing for Animation (Paperback) Harold Whitaker (Author), John Halas (Author) Publisher: Focal Press; New Ed edition (28 Feb 2002)

Acting for Animators: A Complete Guide to Performance Animation by Ed Hooks (Author) Publisher: Greenwood Press; Rev. Ed edition (2 Sep 2003)

Acting in Animation: A Look At 12 Films by Ed Hooks (Author) Publisher: Greenwood Press (Feb 2005)

Thinking Animation: Bridging the Path Between 2d and CG by Angie Jones (Author), Jamie Oliff (Author) Publisher: Course Technology; 1 edition (16 Jun 2006)

Studio learning takes place in timetabled sessions with academic staff who introduce key contextual and practice based lectures focused on the development of:

- Animation through the application of timing.
- Punctuation required to create believable action in animation
- The critical appreciation of timing in a range of animation productions
- An understanding of Audience.

Lectures will deliver core concepts, theory and practical tools necessary to build a repertoire of animation productions skills as a foundation for further development at Level 2 and 3.
Independent study will form the majority of time spent "answering the brief" through evidence of research visual analysis, preparatory drawings, studio work and application of methods and processes necessary for completion of assignments.
You will access pre-recorded material for review and consolidation of software technologies during the production.
Technical instruction sessions will be assigned to assist software applications and craft based learning
Formative assessment points support your studio practice through evaluation and will take place at critical points of the semester to review working progress.
Tutorials will follow to clarify progress on the module.
Summative assessment takes place at the end of the module where the work will be presented for final assessment.

Final Assessment should include all components of the module in a labelled clear A4 portfolio.

Timing is the key factor in creating believable movement in all forms of animation production.
As such this module will explore timing and its application in 2D. 3D and Stop motion animation projects.
Students will understand the key factors of pace and holds in order to punctuate animation to arrive at a plausible set of filmed outcomes.
Fundamental concepts of key-framing, breakdowns and in-betweening will be described in a series of lectures underpinning the development of skills learned in semester 1.
Lectures will impart analysis of animated sequences within the context of each of the pipelines explored and how a range of contemporary directors have chosen particular methods of timing. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of character acting from observation of performance in mime and theatre.
Using the models and armatures provided students will animate to a set of simple scripts which will demonstrate their understanding of animation principles applied to a directed sequence. Students will explore the difference in 2D digital Cut Out, CGi and stop motion animation pipelines by the creation of a series of performance based animations with
The emphasis will be to imbue the animations with a sense of weight, ease, intention, reaction, to give a sense of "realism".
Student will be given the same script to interpret individually in development of individual mannerisms and observed movement.

4 Components
1. Animating a 2D Cut out character for a preschool audience
2. Animating a Stop Motion armature to a set direction
3. Imbuing a CGi character with believable weight and gesture
4. A 1000 word report describing a range of productions timing methodology

2D Pre school character will be assessed against the following criteria
Evidenced by examples of pose-to-pose animation demonstrating the use of keys, breakdowns, and in-betweens for an interactive publication (30% weighting ) [Learning Outcomes 1,2,4]

Stop Motion Armature animation will be assessed against the following criteria
Evidenced by examples of straight-ahead animation in a range of stop motion animation sequences to a set script ( 30% weighting ) [Learning Outcomes 1,2,4]

CGi character rig animation will be assessed against the following criteria
Evidence of broad action readable poses, gestures and pantomimed action in a set of directed sequences ( 30% weighting ) [Learning Outcomes 1,2,4]

Report will be assessed against the following criteria
Analysis of timing in a short breakdown of a film sequence. (10% weighting) [Learning Outcomes 3]

Animation Computer facilities
Library
Animation Studios
Craft Facilities