Program in Experimental Animation

The Experimental Animation Program offers both BFA and MFA degrees. The degree programs emphasize the creative development of a personal aesthetic in an artist-centered environment. A broad range of animation approaches, processes, and techniques are covered in lecture courses, seminars, workshops, visiting artist lectures, internships, and independent studies. The program supports 2D animation, stop-motion, multiplane, digital production, installation, stereoscopy, motion capture, performance animation, programming, and other approaches. Students work closely with a mentor in developing skills, course schedules, and projects, and also benefit from working among artistic peers in a studio environment. To support development of each students creative voice, we offer technical and critical skills within a wide range of production courses, as well as history and theory. Students are also required to take production courses in other Schools at CalArts (Theater, Dance, Music, and Art), in order to develop interdisciplinary approaches. Study abroad opportunities are also offered, mainly for BFA students.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Program in Experimental Animation BFA students in Experimental Animation leave the program with a well-developed artistic identity and varied abilities, and establish careers in studio production and personal practice, often forming creative partnerships with fellow students. In the program, students are provided with a comprehensive education in the history, styles, techniques, and technology of animation arts. As a culminating project they conceive, design, and produce a graduation project that reflects the students personal artistic sensibilities.

The Experimental Animation Program accepts BFA-level students in one of two ways: 1) at the BFA1 level with a four-year residency requirement or 2) at the BFA2 level as a transfer student with a three-year residency requirement. Students must attend full-time; part-time attendance is not allowed.

Learning Goals for BFA Students

Individual voice: Student's style is recognizable and compelling. This distinctive voice extends through their creative process, resulting in conceptually complex works that display competency with technical skills.

Contextual knowledge: Student is aware of and can critically discuss current developments in time-based art and is cognizant of past developments in animation and live-action media history. Student is able to demonstrate his/her understanding of the historical/cultural/social context of their work.

Interdisciplinary approaches: Student is aware of production practices in other metiers, such as art, theater, dance, and music, and has participated in one or more of these areas while at the Institute.

Technical skills: Student has a working knowledge of digital media used in animation production, and can apply that knowledge effectively in realizing projects. Student is able to use technology creatively and with an experimental attitude.

Collegiality: Student is an active participant within critiques, applying knowledge and experience effectively in their arguments and valuing other peoples opinions. Student understands the value of mentorship and works closely with faculty to achieve personal goals. Student values collaboration with others.

Professionalism: Students personal work is outstanding, fulfilling their potential as an artist. Student is able to give cogent presentations about their work and is prepared to enter the professional world. Student attends visiting artist workshops, makes contacts through internships or various projects, and participates in portfolio presentations, and they are sought after for professional opportunities.

Requirements for Student Accepted as a BFA1

BFA students accepted as a BFA1 complete a four-year residency. The first two years provide the student with an understanding of principles and techniques of animation, as well as the history of animation, digital methods, and elements of sound development. An animation project is produced in both the BFA1 and BFA2 years. The BFA3 year is left relatively open, so students can take practice-related courses in other Schools at the Institute; they must take at least three courses totaling six credits or more in another metier (Art, Theater, Dance, or Music) practice (not history or theory)during the four-year residency. A mid-residency review occurs during fall of the BFA3 year, when the student presents work they have produced within the program to their faculty committee. This review is scheduled by the student through the Film/Video office, after meeting with their mentor to assure that the required metier and critical studies courses have been taken.

BFA students are required to complete a graduation project as part of their requirements for the two-semester Undergraduate Critique course. This course is generally taken during the BFA4 year, but it can be taken during the BFA3 year. The graduation project, along with other significant work, will be presented during the student's graduation review in the last semester of residence. The student arranges this review with the Film/Video office, after getting a graduation check from their mentor and having critical studies requirements signed off by the Registrars office. The faculty committee gives permission to graduate.

Required courses:

The following courses are required for students accepted at the BFA1 level in the Experimental Animation program, but they do not constitute a students entire program. In addition to the Experimental Animation requirements below, BFA students are also required to take production courses in other metiers: 6 credits, over a four-year residency.*

Students schedule regular meetings with their mentors throughout each semester to discuss the development of work and progress through required courses.

The student will be asked to provide documentation of academic progress when they schedule mid-residency and graduation reviews. It is the students responsibility to fulfill all graduation requirements.Any requests for a substitution must be approved by the mentor before the course is taken

BFA1

Fall Semester

FVEA107 BFA Animation Workshop (4 credits)

FVEA255 Hybrid Imaging (2 credits)

FAIC170 Animation History (3 credits) Critical Studies (3 credits) Elective (3 - 6 credits recommended)

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit)

FVEA108 BFA Animation Production (4 credits)

FVEA145 Motion and Meaning (2 credits)

FAIC171 Animation History (3 credits) Critical Studies (3 credits)

Elective (2 - 5 credits recommended)

BFA2

Fall Semester

FVEA202 BFA2 Concept Development (3 credits)

FVEA240 Sound for Experimental Animation I (2 credits)

FAIC420 Film History I (3 credits)

Other metier practice* (2 credits)

Critical Studies (3 credits recommended)

Elective (2-4 credits recommended)

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit)

FVEA203 BFA2 Production (3 credits)

FVEA241 Sound for Experimental Animation II (2 credits)

FAIC421 Film History II (3 credits)

Critical Studies (3 - 6 credits recommended)

Elective (3- 5credits recommended)

BFA3

Fall Semester

Mid-Residency Review

FVEA482 Experimental Animation Undergrad Critique (may be taken in BFA4 year;3 credits)**

Critical Studies and electives as needed (13-17credits recommended)

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit)

FVEA482 Experimental Animation Undergrad Critique. (This course must be taken twice. May be taken in BFA3 year with permission of instructor, or BFA4 year. May be taken for 3 or 6 credits, by permission of instructor)**

Other metier practice* (2 credits)

Critical Studies and electives as needed (13-16 credits recommended)

BFA4

Fall Semester

FVEA482 Experimental Animation Undergrad Critique. (This course must be taken twice. May be taken for 3 or 6 credits, by permission of instructor)** Critical Studies and electives as needed (8-14credits recommended)

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit)

Graduation review/Submit Senior Project

FVEA482 Experimental Animation Undergrad Critique. (This course must be taken twice. May be taken for 3 or 6 credits, by permission of instructor)**

Critical Studies and electives as needed (9-15 credits recommended)

*over a four-year residency, BFA students must complete at least six credits in another metier practice (not history or theory): Art, Theater, Dance, or Music.

These courses must be completed at CalArts, not transferred in. They can be taken in any semester. Recommended timing for courses is indicated above. **Students complete a graduation project in FVEA482 and FVEA483. These courses can be taken in the BFA3 or BFA4 year.

Requirements for Student Accepted as a BFA2 Transfer Student

Most BFA applicants are accepted at the BFA1 level, but in some cases a student may be accepted as a BFA2 transfer student. Transfer students who begin in the BFA2 year complete a three-year residency. In this track, the first two years provide the student with an understanding of principles and techniques of animation, as well as the history of animation, digital methods, and elements of sound development. An animation project is produced in both the BFA 2, BFA3, and BFA4 years. During the BFA3 year, these students also should take practice-related courses in other Schools at the Institute; they must take at least two courses totaling four credits or more in another metier (Art, Theater, Dance, or Music) practice (not history or theory) during the three-year residency.

A mid-residency review occurs during fall of the BFA3 year, when the student presents work their has produced within the program to faculty committee. This review is scheduled by the student through the Film/Video office, after meeting with their mentor to assure that all required metier and critical studies courses have been taken.

Students are required to complete a graduation project during their BFA4 year for the Undergraduate Critique course. That project, along with other significant work, will be presented during the student's graduation review in the last semester of residence. The student arranges this review with the Film/Video office, after getting a graduation check from their mentor and having critical studies requirements signed off by the Registrars office. The faculty committee gives permission to graduate.

Required courses:

The following courses are required for students accepted at the BFA2 transfer level in the Experimental Animation program, but they do not constitute a students entire program. In addition to the Experimental Animation requirements below, BFA students are also required to take production courses in other metiers.*

Consult the online catalog for critical studies and other requirements.

Students schedule regular meetings with their mentors throughout each semester to discuss the development of work and progress through required courses. The student will be asked to provide documentation of academic progress when they schedule mid-residency and graduation reviews. It is the students responsibility to fulfill all graduation requirements.

BFA2

Fall Semester

FVEA107 BFA Animation Workshop (4 credits)

FVEA255 Hybrid Imaging (2 credits)

FAIC170 Animation History (3 credits)

FAIC420 Film History I (3 credits)

Critical Studies and electives as needed (3-6 credits recommended)

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit)

FVEA108 BFA Animation Production (4 credits)

FVEA145 Motion and Meaning (2 credits)

FAIC171 Animation History (3 credits)

FAIC421 Film History II (3 credits) Critical Studies and electives as needed (2-5credits recommended)

BFA3

Fall Semester

Mid-Residency Review

FVEA202 BFA2 Concept Development (3 credits)

FVEA240 Sound for Experimental Animation I (2 credits) Other mtier practice* (2 credits)

Critical Studies and electives as needed (8-11 credits recommended)

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit)

FVEA203 BFA2 Production (3 credits)

FVEA241 Sound for Experimental Animation II(2 credits) Other metier practice* (2 credits)

Critical Studies and electives as needed (8-11 credits recommended)

BFA4

Fall Semester

FVEA482 Experimental Animation Undergrad Critique. (This course must be taken twice. May be taken for 3 or 6 credits, by permission of instructor)**

Critical Studies and electives as needed (9-15 credits recommended)

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit) Graduation Review/Submit Senior Project

FVEA482 Experimental Animation Undergrad Critique. (This course must be taken twice. May be taken for 3 or 6 credits, by permission of instructor)**

Critical Studies and electives as needed (8-14credits recommended)

*over a three-year residency, BFA transfer students must complete at least four credits in another metier practice (not history or theory): Art, Theater, Dance, or Music.

These courses must be completed at CalArts, not transferred in. They can be taken in any semester. Recommended timing for courses is indicated above.