COMM 3325 MODERN ANIMATION Spring, 1997 PURPOSE TEXT GRADING FINAL PROJECT PARTICIPATION CLASS SCHEDULE

Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to examine the way content is formed within mass media industry structures. Animation is a particularly good area for such an examination, because it lends itself to an industrialized system. Hand-drawn animation is labor intensive, requiring a number of different artists who contribute to different phases of the enterprise, and sophisticated computer animation requires the type of equipment which is generally too costly for individuals to own. Modern animation is particularly interesting, because there have been major changes in distribution systems, the industry, and technology which have changed it over the last four decades. The changes in distribution systems began with the movement of animation from the theaters into television, which resulted in a change in the audience and in the regulatory system. Then animation expanded from Saturday morning television into prime time as part of the network expansion of Fox and the emergence of cable, which again resulted in a change in audience and in content. With the development of the home video market, independent and foreign animation became available to the average viewer. Finally, the synergistic development of the Disney industrial empire and the emergence of computerized technologies has brought animation back into feature films. Thus, although the course will examine the content which has resulted from these changes, the emphasis will be on the forces which have affected its development.

Textbooks:

Levi, Antonia Samurai from Outer Space: Understanding Japanese Animation. (Chicago, IL: Open Court, 1996).

Additional readings will be placed on Reserve in the Library.

Recommended Reading:

Turow, Joseph Media Systems in Society (New York: Longman Press, 1992)

Grading:
First Test.........February 20........15%
Hubley Paper.......February 25.........5%
Second Test........March 25...........15%
Final Exam.........May 2, 2:00 PM.....20%
Research Paper.....Due April 24.......30%
Class Presentation....................10%
Class Participation................... 5%

Final Project:

Your final project may consist of either of two choices: an animated production on the Amiga or a research paper.

Animated Production - You have the option of producing an animated production using the Disney program on the Amiga. Please note: While students, who have chosen this option have enjoyed having a creative opportunity, this program is extremely time-consuming and does not allow the type of freedom in drawing that conventional animation techniques allow. If you choose this option, I would like for you to work in pairs, and I will stagger the due dates to avoid unnecessarily overloading the system. The end product should be a short production which is accompanied by a short (two page) paper describing what you were attempting to accomplish. I will meet with all of those who think they would like to exercise this option and will provide schedules for completion of the projects.

Research Paper - The research paper can be written on any topic having to do with current animated cartoons. It can be an in-depth examination of the animation process, the technology, or of some facet of the industry not covered in this class or a critical study of any type of animated cartoons. However, the topic and approach must be approved by the professor in advance. In order to promote an early start on the paper, a typewritten paragraph with your research topic and the way you plan to approach it must be submitted by February 6. The finished paper should be approximately 10-15 pages in length and employ a significant number of different library sources or videos viewed. Start early! The study of animation is a relatively new field so you will have to dig for sources. Do not come to me at the last minute complaining that you are unable to finish the assignment on time, because you are unable to find sources. If you start early, we will have enough time to contact sources away from campus.

Participation
Participation will be graded on regular attendance and your contribution to the in-class discussions of readings and videos/ films. More than three unexcused absences will be considered excessive and will result in a reduction of your participation grade of one letter for each absence. Also, after six unexcused absences, a reduction may occur in your final grade. Severe illness or other excused causes which accounts for more than three absences must be documented in order to avoid penalty. To receive an excellent rating for in-class participation, you should arrive on time and contribute regularly without prompting to class
discussion. You should demonstrate that you are familiar with the material in the readings; however, discussion of readings or
aural/visual communications from other sources which adds to the topic under consideration is also encouraged. An average grade (C) will be given to those students who only answer questions when asked. For those students not comfortable with participating verbally in class, there are other possible participation avenues, e.g. bringing to class materials which would enhance discussion. See the professor to discuss those options.

In-Class Presentation of Final Product

The presentations at the end of the semester will be an opportunity to present your research. They will be short (approximately 10 minutes in length), formal presentations (which accounts for the 10% grade) with examples or hand-outs if appropriate. Since these are formal presentation, please practice them in advance, because your presentation style as well as content will be taken into account in grading. Also, since the class is large, you should practice so that you do not go beyond the allotted time. I will group the presentations by topic, so you should coordinate with other presenters on your day to insure that material is not repeated. At least one question on the final exam will come from the presentations.

Class Schedule (Subject to Change):

Jan. 14 (T) Introduction to the Course

Jan. 16 (R) Movement of Animation from the Theaters into
Children's Television - The Case of Hanna Barbera

Jan. 21 (T) The Economics of the Move

Jan. 23 (R) The Impact of Social Science Analyses and the FCC

Jan. 28 (T) The Role Animation in the Development of an Emerging Network - The Case of the Simpsons

Jan. 30 (R) Animation in the Cable Industry - The Development
of Animation-Oriented Networks

Feb. 4 (T) Development of Synergistic Industrial Practices -
The Case of Disney

Feb. 6 (R) Animated Features Reemerge
Research Topics Due

Feb. 11 (T) Impact of the Home Video Technology

Feb. 13 (R) Importance of Video to U.S. Independent Producers

Feb. 18 (T) Discussion with Faith Hubley, A Case Study

Feb. 20 (R) Test #1

Feb. 20 (R) Attend Lecture of Faith Hubley, 7:30 PM,
Chapman Auditorium

Feb. 25 (T) Impact on Home Video of Foreign Producers: Japanime, a Case Study

Feb. 27 (R) Not Really Disney in a Kimono - Cultural Heritage
of Anime

March 4 (T) Androids, Cyborgs and Transformers - The Tie to
Comics or Manga

March 6 (R) A Comparison of U.S. and Japanese Animation

March 8 - 16 Spring Break - No Class

March 18 (T) An Introduction to Selected European Animators

March 20 (R) Other Notable Foreign Producers

March 25 (T) Test 2

March 27 (R) An Old Technology Becomes New - Claymation

April 1 (T) The Impact of the Computer on Animation

April 3 (R) Early uses of the Computer

April 8 (T)
April 10 (R) Feature Films

April 15 (T) Presentation 1 - 6

April 17 (R) Presentation 7 - 12

April 22 (T)     Presentation 13 - 18

April 24 (R)     Presentations 19 - 24
                       Papers Due

April 29 Wrap-Up

Final Exam: Friday, May 2, 2:00 PM