Northern Film School

BA (Hons) Animation
: New Course from Sept. 2010

Currently taking applications.

Manifesto

Animation is a radical art form.
Content is more important than technique.
Imagination and creativity are critical for original thinking.
Drawing skills are central to the visual communication of ideas.
Theory supports practice and practice informs theory.
Engaging with reflexivity drives practice forward.

Introduction

shoot BA (Hons) Animation emerges from The Northern Film School in response to students’ wish to pursue fully supported animation study. It provides students with the opportunity to focus on animation for three years and complements the school’s existing provision.

Located within a film-school the Animation BA(Hons) benefits from two equipped studios, brand new post-production sound equipment, avid and final cut editing suites, a range of cameras & lens, film & video lighting, grip equipment, access to a blue screen studio and state of the art post-production sound and music facilities through collaborations with Innovation North. There is also on-site expertise from Northern Film School’s industry active lecturers in specialisms that include; animation direction, cinematography, digital arts, documentary, editing, post-production, scriptwriting and sound. Visiting lecturers provide project specific specialist expertise.

With its focus on the meta-skills that enable students to continue evolving within a fast moving industry, BA (Hons) Animation encourages experimentation through a broad range of media and techniques that combine traditional processes with new technologies. An understanding of the principles of visual communication, movement and drawing, with a focus on the development of creativity, underpin this new course with its emphasis on the production of interesting and challenging animation through inter-disciplinary approaches. A successful graduate will leave with a show-reel and portfolio that embodies these characteristics and will also have the self-confidence and understanding they need to promote themselves and seek employment in the animation industry.

Animation Programme Structure

The Animation Practice modules run alongside Animation Theory and Drawing at Levels 1 and 2. They will be structured around a series of projects that focus on the students’ acquisition of animation skills and processes and the application of Animation Theory to their own practice. The long duration of these modules allows flexibility for arranging inter-school or inter-faculty collaborations within project work.

The Animation Theory modules will inform the students’ practice through the understanding of contemporary animation theory. Research and Writing Methods are also introduced and developed here. At level 3 students are required to write a dissertation.
The Drawing Modules are designed to emphasise the importance of drawing within animation. Although this is a traditional skill the modules aim to inform students’ insights into drawing by using varied approaches including digital techniques.

Reflexive Space is an important element of the course and is designed to enable students to use developing technologies to contextualise and examine their drawing and animation practice within theoretical frameworks. Reflexive Space is an interactive environment where students can reflect, debate and collate textual information and digital media. It builds in a non-linear fashion allowing it to take on complex forms. It has global reach for both authoring and publishing and will be an online record of students’ creative and intellectual journeys and a conduit for reflection and personal development. Review of the document will take place throughout the course in an iterative and cyclic manner.

LEVEL ONE Module Descriptions by level

Animation Practice
This module will provide an introduction to a variety of animation techniques, processes and principles through a series of short projects. At the beginning of the module there will be an emphasis on skills acquisition. As these develop the emphasis will shift to idea development in preparation for Animation Practice 2.

Animation Theory 1
This module Introduces students to the theory module structure with emphasis on its relevance to their own practice. Reflexivity is outlined and the interactive Reflexive Space explained. The history of animation is introduced along with theories of Film Form, Ideology and Representation.
Personal Development Planning, research and writing methods are also introduced with an emphasis on methods for developing the Reflexive Space.

Animation Theory 2
This module will introduce: Narrative structure, non-narrative and experimental animation strategies, theories relating to identity & animation, animated documentary, ethics and sound in animation. Research, personal development and writing skills will continue to be developed and applied to the interactive ‘Reflexive Space’ and to a written document.

Drawing 1
Drawing classes will form the backbone of this module, including life and still life drawing, memory and location drawing. Formal drawing skills will be introduced and applied. Experimentation with mark making, drawing media and techniques will be implemented through exercises. Teaching will take place alongside other year groups promoting peer learning.

LEVEL TWO Module Descriptions by level

Animation Practice 2
Students will build on the introduction to the animation techniques, processes and principles delivered in Animation Practice 1. Through an understanding of the forms and conventions of animation, the longer projects of this module will encourage new approaches to animation techniques and creative development.
Workshops will develop sound, editing and directing skills in preparation for a longer graduation project in Studio Practice 3 & 4.

Animation Theory 3
This module will look in more detail at some of the themes introduced in L1 including early film and animation. The history of cell animation in the USA and its contrast with the European Avant Garde will also be explored. There will be a focus on theories relating to CGI, Realism and Hyper-realism, the internet and emergent forms of animation.
Personal Development Plans and research & academic writing methods will continue to be developed.

Animation Theory 4
This module will introduce students to the socio-political and stylistic contexts of a variety of animation schools including; British, Russian, Czech, Polish, Estonian, Japanese and Canadian. Personal development planning and more advanced research and writing methods will be developed.

Drawing 2
The rhythm of this module will follow that of Drawing 1 normally being taught alongside level 1 and 3 students. Drawing classes will encompass a range of methods and approaches including life and still life drawing, memory and location drawing. Formal drawing skills will be developed and enhanced. Students will be encouraged to explore idea development through processes of abstraction, metamorphosis and imagination relating and integrating their drawing practice with their study within module .
The development of the Reflexive Space initiated in level 1 continues in this drawing module to emphasise the integration of the three strands within the course.

LEVEL THREE Module descriptions by level

Animation Practice 3
Students will be supported in the pre-production of a graduation animation project from the development of an idea through to an animatic and budget. Attention will be made to the innovative use of drawing as a development tool and the ability to clearly communicate a project proposal. There will also be an emphasis on project organisation and professionalism.
The project will be produced and completed in Animation Practice 4.

Animation Practice 4
This module will focus on the production and post-production of a graduation film and the completion of the Reflexive Space. Provision will be made in accordance to student needs that will be assessed through tutorial.

Animation Theory 5
In preparation for entry into the industry, this module expands on theories of culture, communication and commodification. These are contextualised through lectures from visiting professionals who will discuss the animation industry. Research and writing methods continue to be developed through the writing of a dissertation.


The Filmmakers' MA BA (Hons) Animation BA (Hons) Film & Moving Image Production FdA Film & Television Production Short Courses & Workshops Documentary Staff Students Associates Alumni News Contact NFS About NFS Links & Partnerships Equipment & Facilities Festivals International	BA (Hons) Animation : New Course from Sept. 2010 Currently taking applications. Manifesto Animation is a radical art form. Content is more important than technique. Imagination and creativity are critical for original thinking. Drawing skills are central to the visual communication of ideas. Theory supports practice and practice informs theory. Engaging with reflexivity drives practice forward. Introduction BA (Hons) Animation emerges from The Northern Film School in response to students’ wish to pursue fully supported animation study. It provides students with the opportunity to focus on animation for three years and complements the school’s existing provision. Located within a film-school the Animation BA(Hons) benefits from two equipped studios, brand new post-production sound equipment, avid and final cut editing suites, a range of cameras & lens, film & video lighting, grip equipment, access to a blue screen studio and state of the art post-production sound and music facilities through collaborations with Innovation North. There is also on-site expertise from Northern Film School’s industry active lecturers in specialisms that include; animation direction, cinematography, digital arts, documentary, editing, post-production, scriptwriting and sound. Visiting lecturers provide project specific specialist expertise. With its focus on the meta-skills that enable students to continue evolving within a fast moving industry, BA (Hons) Animation encourages experimentation through a broad range of media and techniques that combine traditional processes with new technologies. An understanding of the principles of visual communication, movement and drawing, with a focus on the development of creativity, underpin this new course with its emphasis on the production of interesting and challenging animation through inter-disciplinary approaches. A successful graduate will leave with a show-reel and portfolio that embodies these characteristics and will also have the self-confidence and understanding they need to promote themselves and seek employment in the animation industry. Animation Programme Structure The Animation Practice modules run alongside Animation Theory and Drawing at Levels 1 and 2. They will be structured around a series of projects that focus on the students’ acquisition of animation skills and processes and the application of Animation Theory to their own practice. The long duration of these modules allows flexibility for arranging inter-school or inter-faculty collaborations within project work. The Animation Theory modules will inform the students’ practice through the understanding of contemporary animation theory. Research and Writing Methods are also introduced and developed here. At level 3 students are required to write a dissertation. The Drawing Modules are designed to emphasise the importance of drawing within animation. Although this is a traditional skill the modules aim to inform students’ insights into drawing by using varied approaches including digital techniques. Reflexive Space is an important element of the course and is designed to enable students to use developing technologies to contextualise and examine their drawing and animation practice within theoretical frameworks. Reflexive Space is an interactive environment where students can reflect, debate and collate textual information and digital media. It builds in a non-linear fashion allowing it to take on complex forms. It has global reach for both authoring and publishing and will be an online record of students’ creative and intellectual journeys and a conduit for reflection and personal development. Review of the document will take place throughout the course in an iterative and cyclic manner. LEVEL ONE Module Descriptions by level Animation Practice This module will provide an introduction to a variety of animation techniques, processes and principles through a series of short projects. At the beginning of the module there will be an emphasis on skills acquisition. As these develop the emphasis will shift to idea development in preparation for Animation Practice 2. Animation Theory 1 This module Introduces students to the theory module structure with emphasis on its relevance to their own practice. Reflexivity is outlined and the interactive Reflexive Space explained. The history of animation is introduced along with theories of Film Form, Ideology and Representation. Personal Development Planning, research and writing methods are also introduced with an emphasis on methods for developing the Reflexive Space. Animation Theory 2 This module will introduce: Narrative structure, non-narrative and experimental animation strategies, theories relating to identity & animation, animated documentary, ethics and sound in animation. Research, personal development and writing skills will continue to be developed and applied to the interactive ‘Reflexive Space’ and to a written document. Drawing 1 Drawing classes will form the backbone of this module, including life and still life drawing, memory and location drawing. Formal drawing skills will be introduced and applied. Experimentation with mark making, drawing media and techniques will be implemented through exercises. Teaching will take place alongside other year groups promoting peer learning. LEVEL TWO Module Descriptions by level Animation Practice 2 Students will build on the introduction to the animation techniques, processes and principles delivered in Animation Practice 1. Through an understanding of the forms and conventions of animation, the longer projects of this module will encourage new approaches to animation techniques and creative development. Workshops will develop sound, editing and directing skills in preparation for a longer graduation project in Studio Practice 3 & 4. Animation Theory 3 This module will look in more detail at some of the themes introduced in L1 including early film and animation. The history of cell animation in the USA and its contrast with the European Avant Garde will also be explored. There will be a focus on theories relating to CGI, Realism and Hyper-realism, the internet and emergent forms of animation. Personal Development Plans and research & academic writing methods will continue to be developed. Animation Theory 4 This module will introduce students to the socio-political and stylistic contexts of a variety of animation schools including; British, Russian, Czech, Polish, Estonian, Japanese and Canadian. Personal development planning and more advanced research and writing methods will be developed. Drawing 2 The rhythm of this module will follow that of Drawing 1 normally being taught alongside level 1 and 3 students. Drawing classes will encompass a range of methods and approaches including life and still life drawing, memory and location drawing. Formal drawing skills will be developed and enhanced. Students will be encouraged to explore idea development through processes of abstraction, metamorphosis and imagination relating and integrating their drawing practice with their study within module . The development of the Reflexive Space initiated in level 1 continues in this drawing module to emphasise the integration of the three strands within the course. LEVEL THREE Module descriptions by level Animation Practice 3 Students will be supported in the pre-production of a graduation animation project from the development of an idea through to an animatic and budget. Attention will be made to the innovative use of drawing as a development tool and the ability to clearly communicate a project proposal. There will also be an emphasis on project organisation and professionalism. The project will be produced and completed in Animation Practice 4. Animation Practice 4 This module will focus on the production and post-production of a graduation film and the completion of the Reflexive Space. Provision will be made in accordance to student needs that will be assessed through tutorial. Animation Theory 5 In preparation for entry into the industry, this module expands on theories of culture, communication and commodification. These are contextualised through lectures from visiting professionals who will discuss the animation industry. Research and writing methods continue to be developed through the writing of a dissertation.

BA (Hons) Animation : New Course from Sept. 2010