AMED 239/439 SYLLABUS
After Effects and Summer Session
the U n c a n n y 1:00 - 4:30
105 A&A
Info: Office Hours: Contact:
Evan Meaney Wed After Class P +1 (865) 974 - 5388
Summer 2011 338 A and A E emeaney@utk.edu
In this studio class, we will explore the
interface, applications and possibilities of
Adobe’s After Effects editing program.
Working as a class, in small groups, and
individually, you will construct no less
than 3 projects, each of which will
explore specific technical and rhetorical
uses of this animation software. This
practical framework will be augmented
through a critical discussion on Freud’s
concept of ‘the uncanny’, culled through
both primary and secondary resources.
Expectations:
• Come to class prepared and on time.
• Turn in assignments when they are due. Late work will be heavily penalized.
• Participate consistently in discussions & critiques (especially those that are not your own.)
• Respect your peers’ opinions when discussing work and concepts.
• Share your skills, experience and energy to strengthen the class community.
• To look beyond the facade of aesthetics at the conceptual framework that support a project.
• To attempt difficult questions in you work. This will be rewarded.
Assignments and Grading:
Grading will be framed by an equal emphasis on demonstrated technical execution and
conceptual exigency. As represented in the rubric below, grades will also be positioned in
relation to the parallel textual work, complimenting the final product.
A: Work that is technically, conceptually and
contextually successful, while presenting
something new and complex in an interesting
Point Breakdown: way. Work ready for public exhibition.
25 / 100 - Participation B: Work that is technically, conceptually and
contextually successful, yet lacks a cohesive
10 / 100 - Quizzes unity between these elements.
15 / 100 - Project 1 C: Work that is either technically, conceptually
~ 2/10 - Written Context or contextually passable but lacks
~ 810 - Completed Work development in these areas.
20 / 100 - Project 2
~ 5/15 - Written Context D: Work that is technically, conceptually and
~ 1015 - Completed Work contextually unsuccessful and incomplete.
30 / 100 - Project 3
~ 10/30 - Written Context F: Work that is demonstrates a lack of technical
~ 20/30 - Completed Work and conceptual ability, shows no progress after
critique, and/or is lacking in a major aspect of
its conception, execution or presentation.
Attendance and Participation:
Preparation and participation are essential for success in this course – active participation in
discussions and well- prepared presentations of your work during critiques will insure a
complimentary participation grade. You will not earn points merely by attending class – as this
is expected, but you will lose points for missing it. For specifics, please refer to the end of the
syllabus.
Written Contextualization:
All projects are to be turned in to me on the due date accompanied by a document of no less
than 2 pages. This document will contextualize your project both in terms of the assignment,
as well as a work of art concerned with the practice of sequencing. This is an opportunity for
you to evaluate your process and work before you begin a new project.
Extra Credit and Disputes:
If you wish to dispute the grade of a specific project, you may do so during my office hours the
week following the return of the grade. After 7 work days, your ability to dispute ends. There
will be no extra credit.
PROJECTS!
Project 1:
Using the animation methods we have discussed, you will develop a 30 second HD animated
piece which incorporates at least three distinct forms of motion graphic. The subject matter of
your work will be a response to our first reading - ‘The Uncanny’ by Freud. Remember - at this
stage, working in the abstract will be playing to your strength. Favorable grades will be earned
by those who develop interesting animations with respect to the response text, contextualize
their work within the purview of AE and take care in the production and exhibition of their work.
Project 2:
Following the lead of class-examples, you will make an HD kinetic typography animation of no
more than 30 seconds and no less than 15. The source text can be anything you wish, but I
would advise choosing a text with which you find resonance. There are no other restrictions on
this project. Favorable grades will be earned by those who create an interesting synthesis
between their text and animation tactics, create visually and conceptually stimulating visual
and aural connections, and take care in the production and exhibition of their work.
Project 3:
This project is self-defined. There are no parameters save for the due date. Grades will be
contextualized through your accompanying paper.
OR (prompt)
Working with self- or group- shot footage, you will work to further explore the idea of the
uncanny through time-based, image manipulation. This can involve any number of tactics, from
green screen/layering to re-colorization to particle effects. Your final product should be a 30
second HD animation which demonstrates some aspect of the Uncanny. Favorable grades will
be earned by those who create an animation which demonstrates both an understanding of the
tools within AE as well as an understanding of the forces at work in critical discussions of the
Uncanny, and take care in the production and exhibition of their work.
Schedule:
Subject to change with due notice.
Week 0
- Introduction and Interface
Week 1 [basics]
- Importing Footage and Editing, Data Management
- Key-framing and Tweening
- Workflow, Exporting and File Formats
- Masks, Layer Modes, Basic Effects
(MONDAY 6/13 Assignment 1 Due : Basic Motion)
Week 2 [advanced motion]
- Keying Layer Properties
- Nesting, Pre-comping, Non-destructive Workflow
- Text, Type and Kinetic Typography
- Ad Hoc Tutorial Day
Week 3 [shooting for after effects]
- Shooting for Post Production
- Color Correction in After Effects
- Manipulating Footage I
- Manipulating Footage II
(THURSDAY 6/23 Assignment 2 Due: Kinetic Typography)
Week 4 [monsters, lightsabers and explosions]
- Green Screening
- Rotoscoping
- Advanced Effects
- Ad Hoc Tutorial Day
Week 5 [motion tracking and lightning]
- 3D Camera and Mocha
- Particles and Physics
- Final Project Work Day
- Final Project Critique
(Wednesday 7/6 Assignment 3 Due: Final Project)
Hierarchy of Work Time: Student Critique / Class Discussion / Lectures / Work Time
Office Hours:
Wednesday’s After Class 338 Art and Architecture
Come to these as they are a good resource for the advancement of your work in this class.
However, this time will not be used to re-present material from class that has been missed due
to absences. Scheduling by email is strongly encouraged. If you cannot make these hours due
to a perpetual conflict, please contact me and we can arrange a meeting time.
Technical Concepts:
You will be encouraged to explore new technologies and processes in this class, stretching
your comfort zones. If there is a technique that you would like to learn or strengthen in regards
to an assignment (above and beyond the expectations of the class), please let me know. There
will be time for in-class demonstrations and class discussions. Concurrently, I would hate for
someone to be discouraged from trying something uncommon and new for the fear of a poor
grade. If this is your first time engaging with a new medium or technique, please let me know
beforehand. That way, I can take into account your personal experimentation while I consider
your grade.
Freedom of Expression:
In this class, you are free to express whatever you like, both in the content of your work (with
limits on violence*) and in class discussions. Of course, since everyone else is free to express
their opinions as well, be prepared for disagreement and be prepared to defend your ideas,
work, etc. If a work screened in class shocks or offends you and you feel you must leave the
classroom, please let me know. Do not simply leave the class without returning, as this will be
counted as a tardy. Be prepared to share your response as a part of class discussion.
Guns and Violence:
*At least as far back as ancient Rome violence has been a spectator sport, however numerous
studies have shown that in the last decade violence in the media has become increasingly
sadistic, without moral consequence, and normalized as way to resolve conflict. In this class
we reject this turn towards a more violent society for both human and narrative reasons, that is:
there is usually a better way to tell a story than a gunfight. There will be no guns allowed in your
work and no graphic representations of violence against women. If you do wish to undertake
such a project, please consult myself and the class beforehand.
Email:
Every student will be asked to maintain a UTK email address. Oftentimes class announcements
will be sent via email either by myself or through BlackBoard. Please check this email address
regularly and ensure that your account does not exceed its limitations. I will only use your UTK
address to send class material, as such, I will only respond to mail sent to my UTK address.
Materials:
> Constant access to and Adobe’s After Effects (either through UT or on your own)
> A means of recording images and sounds (either through UT or on your own)
> Articles on Blackboard as assigned.
> Adobe After Effects CS5 Classroom in a Book (ISBN: 0321704495)
> External Hard Drive (at least 500 GB, 7200rpm) - Seagate, LaCie, Western Digital, et al.
> DVD-R disks.
Policies:
A t t e n d a n c e:
I will take attendance at the beginning of class. After three absences each absence thereafter
will result in half a letter grade penalty on your final grade for the class. If you should have a
special circumstance arise, you need to talk with me immediately. After your third absence you
will receive a warning letter from the office alerting you that your next absence will result in a
lower grade. Life happens -- so do not be frivolous with your allotted absences, you may need
them later on. 2 tardies = 1 absence. Tardiness is defined as being 5 minutes late for class or
departing 5 minutes before the class has been formally dismissed by the instructor. A tardy that
exceeds one half hour will be counted as an absence. Seven absences (including the 3 allotted
absences) = a failing grade for the semester. Anyone who does not make it back to class on
time after a break will be marked tardy for that class. Likewise anyone who does not return to
class after the first half of class will be marked absent for the class. All medical excuses must
be accompanied by your doctor’s attestation to your illness. Please know that this note does
not automatically grant an absence. Consideration will be given to how many absences in the
class have already been taken. Students who miss presentations and class discussions due to
absences must obtain notes and assignment descriptions for the classes missed from a
responsible classmate prior to the end of the next class period. Do not email faculty asking for
a review of what was missed in class. Private tutoring sessions will not be held for students
who are not attending class or completing the required work.
Workload and Evaluation:
If you fail to have the work required for a critique you may be asked to leave the class and will
be given an absence for the day. A missed critique can affect the final grade for your project.
All assignments are expected on their due dates unless noted otherwise. Late work will be
marked down 1/2 letter grade per business day. Failure to take a quiz or test without
prearranged preemption may result in a zero for that test or quiz. Late work may still be graded
but not necessarily critiqued.Work that is late due to technical difficulties either at your end or
at an outside shop will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to estimate the proper amount
of time to produce your project. On days designated as in-class workdays, you are expected to
bring your project, or the required materials, into class to work. Failure to do so may result in
your being asked to leave the class and receive an absence for the day. Do not ask a
classmate to deliver a message for you. If you have a message you should deliver it yourself. In
particular, if you need to leave class early or arrive late you need to must ask for and receive an
extension at least 24 hours in advance. Do not announce during class that you need to leave
early. All cases of cheating or plagiarism will be dealt with in accordance with the University of
Tennessee’s policy. The University’s policy is to turn these cases over to the Student Judicial
Affairs. No exceptions. If at any point you should have questions as to whether or not you are
passing the class, it is your responsibility to make an appointment with me to discuss the
issues.
Departmental Digital and Vendor Policies:
The responsibility for backing up digital files lies solely with the Individual student. Corruption
of files containing course work will not be considered a valid excuse for missing a deadline. No
files are to be stored on the computers in the computer lab. Students will also be responsible
for the quality of work that they accept from any service bureau, bindery, photo-finishing
house, or any other vendor commissioned to complete technical aspects of a course
assignment.
Disability Statement:
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability
should contact faculty privately to discuss your specific needs. If you are a student with a
disability, you will need to contact the University’s Office of Disabilities at 865-974-6087 in
Hoskins Library to declare your disability and to have your rights and responsibilities explained
and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. Faculty must receive a letter from the Office of
Disabilities attesting to your condition within the first week of class. While the faculty will work
to accommodate your condition, please note that excessive absences have the potential to
affect your ability to work at the level expected of the class and thus may affect your overall
grade. Any absence that must be incurred due to an ODS related event must be conveyed to
the faculty via e.mail PRIOR to the class starting. This e.mail must also be copied to the Office
of Disability Services.
