Schedule

This schedule maps out what we are covering in class each week and what work we are starting that day. It is very subject to change as we go along in class.

If you want to know what is due for next class, check here.

June 8 — Day 1

In our first week we will go over the framework for the class, meet each other, and make a gif.

Topics

1.1: Introduction
1.2: Gifs

Starting

E1: dot gif

June 13 — Day 2

Motion projects take thought and planning to execute well. This week we will cover the process of storyboarding, creating concept boards, and other parts of the planning process.

Topics

2.1: Planning for Motion (Shots, Storyboards, Concept Boards, Animatics)

Starting

E2: Making a Plan

Digital References

School of Motion: What Are Animatics, and Why Are They Important?
Studio Binder: Every Shot Size Explained

June 15 — Day 3

After Effects is a complex and powerful program which we will only start to understand in this class. This week we will introduce the After Effects interface and the primary tools used creating motion.

Topics

3.1: What is Motion Design?
3.2: After Effects Tour
3.3: Position, Scale, Opacity, Rotation

Starting

E3: Timing, Pacing, Narrative
P1: Obstructions

Digital References

Adobe: Get to Know After Effects
Adobe: Work with Compositions
School of Motion: 3 Pro Tips for After Effects Beginners
School of Motion: 30 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts in After Effects
Vince Opra: Premiere Pro Tutorial for Beginners 2022

June 20 — Day 4

No class, Juneteenth

June 22 — Day 5

Taking our knowledge a little further we will talk about the 12 Principles of Animation and cover null objects and parenting which allow us to group pieces and animate them as a unit.

Topics

4.1: 12 Principles of Animation
4.2: Null Objects and Parenting
4.3: Cuts and Transitions

Starting

E4: Sound and Motion

Digital References

Vectornator: Discover Disney’s 12 Principles Of Animation
Alan Becker Tutorials: 12 Principles of Animation
Adobe: Control Animation of Multiple Layers with Parenting
School of Motion: Six Essential Motion Design Transitions
Adobe: Build Custom Transitions
RocketJump Film School Cuts & Transitions 101

June 27 — Day 6

This week we will talk about the graph editor, which is a way for us to more precisely control motion in After Effects. We will also dive a little deeper into After Effects and look at some animation techniques and review masks and mattes.

Topics

5.1: Graph Editor
5.2: Animating Shapes and Trim Paths
5.3: Masks and Mattes

Starting

E5: Poster Animation

Digital References

School of Motion: Using the Graph Editor in After Effects
School of Motion: Intro to the Graph Editor in After Effects
Adobe: Create Dynamic Movement Between Keyframes with the Graph Editor
School of Motion: How to Use Masks in After Effects
School of Motion: Exaggerate Animation with Squash and Stretch
School of Motion: Squash and Stretch in After Effects
Adobe: Animate an Object to Follow Along a Path

June 29 — Day 7

Our After Effects training has generally come to an end this week and we start to begin the final project. This week we will cover ideas about title sequences, kinetic type, and broadcast packages.