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GAD323 - Animation Layout and Scene Design

Working from storyboards and story sketches, the student will develop camera angles,
perspectives, camera movement, values, textures, composition, and lighting to create the
“stage” for animated characters’ performance. Techniques and concepts include
storyboarding, draftsmanship, composition, design, staging, and cinematography.
WK During Class Homework Major Milestones
01
  Go over syllabus
  Online space / exchange contacts
  Storyboard review. Shot selection, camera work, pace, mood, etc.
  Visual storytelling in games. Discussion
  Review of the production pipeline
  Choosing teams for the quarter. Techniques for creating timing charts and production schedules.
   
Resources
  Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm Animatic Cutscene
  Google Sites
  Assembla
  How to Built a Better Cutscene
  Cutting to the Chase: Cinematic Construction for...
  Creating an Event-Driven Cinematic Camera, Part 1
  Creating an Event-Driven Cinematic Camera, Part 2
  Development of overarching story ideas
  Explore the team members abilities
  Pick a Producer (lite)
  Create general story outline
  Make sure your animatics have a goal
  Create a reference folder with images and video
  Provide rough production storyboards
  Provide rough production schedule
  Assemble all information into a PowerPoint for presentation at the beginning of Wk 2
  All 20 pts
  Submit the following prior to the first class:
- Group name
- Group contact information
02
  Review of successful and unsuccessful cinematics and FMV's in games. What can we learn and use?
  Procedures and techniques for creating effective animatics
  What is an effective animatic? Examining what is out there.
  Define the elements required in the pre-production work package
  Production Time
  Refine story idea
  Create a final production schedule for each project
  Creating basic assets
  All 20 pts
  PowerPoint Presentation of Wk 1 progress
03
  Storytelling, cinematics, and the First Person Shooter
  Editing and storytelling in games
  Integrating gameplay and the cinematic
  Production Time
  Adjust story and concept to the needs of a FPS cinematic
  Adjust assets to the needs of a FPS cinematic
  All 10 pts
 
04
  Sound design and the cinematic
  Production Time
  FPS Project Due BOC Wk 5 30 pts
 
05
  FPS Project Presentation 20 pts
  Critique presentations
  Storytelling, cinematics, and the 3rd person adventure game
  Preproduction for 3rd Person (Over the shoulder-ish) Adventure Project
  Adjust assets to the needs of a 3rd Person (Over the shoulder-ish) Adventure cinematic
  All 10 pts
  FPS Project Due
06
  Audience review. What do the players want and expect from cinematics?
  Production Time
  3rd Person (Over the shoulder-ish) Adventure Project Due BOC Wk 7
  30 pts
 
07
  3rd Person Adventure Project
  Presentation 20 pts
  Critique presentations
  RPG's. Types, styles, etc. What does each need from a cinematic?
  Production Time
  Preproduction for RPG Project
  Adjust assets to the needs of a RPG cinematic
  All 10 pts
  3rd Person (Over the shoulder-ish) Adventure Project Due
08
  Production Time
  RPG Project Due BOC Wk 9
  30 pts
 
09
  RPG Project Presentation. 20 pts
  Critique presentations
  TBA
  Production Time
  TBA
  RPG Project Due
10
  Wrap up discussions and Q&A
  Production Time
  TBA
  Final Project (TBA) Due BOC Wk 11 30 pts
  Final Project (TBA) Pres. Due BOC Wk 11 20 pts
- Group Name
- People and their roles
- Process you went through
- Character and story overview
- Aesthetic approach/goal
- Things that worked well
- Things that didn't work well
- Processes to bring / start doing for future teamwork
 
11
  Animatic presentation
  Critique presentations
 
  Final Project (TBA) Due
  Final Project (TBA) Pres. Due
- Group Name
- People and their roles
- Process you went through
- Character and story overview
- Aesthetic approach/goal
- Things that worked well
- Things that didn't work well
- Processes to bring / start doing for future teamwork