DIMA 1455 - Introduction to Stop-Motion Animation

4.5 Credits

This course explores the art of movement and visual art concepts through the techniques of stop-motion animation and provides a thorough understanding of stop-motion fundamentals. Students produce all animations using a DSLR camera, stop-motion, and basic audio software. The course addresses lighting techniques, including Claymation, puppet-model-making, cut-out animation, lip-syncing, and backgrounds/environments. Recommended readings, lectures, and demonstrations provide the critical skills to study a variety of stop-motion films screened in the course. Students produce a stop-motion short for their final project.

Lecture Hours: 3.5
Lab Hours: 3.0
Internship Hours: 0.0
Clinical or Practicum Hours: 0.0

Course Objectives

Understand stop motion techniques in a historical context. 
Understand the basic techniques of stop motion animation.
Understand some basic principles of animation and art concepts through hands-on experience.
Develop a sense of timing for animation.
Experience a variety of stop motion techniques.
Create a final stop motion animation
Manage the workflow required to work in a group.

View Class Schedule