Animal Anima

This course studies the essence of animal movement
and character. Students will present studies of
their own choosing, selecting a myth or short
story to analyze the function, personality, and
appeal of one type of animal/non-human, including
mammals, birds, reptiles, or insects, for example.
What do they eat? How do their offspring look? The
class will be informed by the presentations. Life
drawing of one or more animals will be provided.
Students will also provide historical images and
videos of their selected creature, both from real
life and animated. The class will discuss
locomotion and the relationship between humans and
the creature. Why do we fear them? Why do we love
them? The final project will be a comparative
study of the creature in various forms. Graduate
students also create two 5-10 second animated
versions. For extra credit, students can act out
their creature in a short live performance. Final
project is a written and drawn journal of course
content, including an approximately 500 word paper
and drawings inspired by student presentations.

Recommended Book: Peter Parr, Sketching for
Animation: Developing Ideas, Characters and
Layouts in Your Sketchbook (2018)