The Art Institute of Las Vegas

Course Syllabus

Fall 2007

Storyboarding MMA123

Instructor:                                      Kevin Anderson

Contact Info:                                 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Instructor Availability:                             Sat 1-4 pm and by appointment

Course Description: This course focuses on industry-standard storyboards in relation to animation.  Contents to be covered include the various purposes and formats of storyboards, the basic terminology and concepts used in storyboarding, and the application of storyboarding techniques to the creation of storyboards with or without a written script.

Competencies:         By the course end, students should be able to:

1. Successfully apply the rules of traditional screen direction and storyboarding.

2. Draw and present storyboards that successfully tell a story to a general audience.

3. Clearly indicate camera and other aspects of film montage to the storyboards.

Course Length: 11 weeks

Contact Hours: 44

Credit Value: 3.0

Textbook: Exploring Storyboarding by Wendy Tumminello

Assignments:             Student will be required to participate in assignments to enhance their skills in the subject and will be engaged in assignments geared towards the completion of the midterm and final project.

Midterm:                   Student must create one 24-panel b/w storyboard that clearly shows a character overcoming an obstacle (whether real or symbolic). The midterm project must be professionally presented and is due at the start of the Midterm class. Student is expected to spend significant time outside class working on Midterm project. 

Final:                                 Student must create one 36-panel color storyboard that clearly shows the intended plot. The subject is open but must be approved.  Final should be professionally presented and accompanied by an animatic.  Final is due at the start of the final class. Student is expected to spend significant time outside of class working on the final project. 

Grading:

Homework, Checkpoints, In-Class Exercises        50%

Midterm project                                                               20%

Final project     (20% board, 10% animatic)            30%

Required Materials:  Any and all supplies necessary to create storyboards, including rulers, pencils, paper, tracing paper, blue line pencils, matte board, and rubber cement. If you are working digitally, which you may, you will need a portable flash drive or something similar (professionally presented boards are still due.)

Turning In assignments: Homework is expected to be turned in at the beginning of class, and late work has a 25% penalty.  Projects will not be accepted if over one week late.

Missing In - Class Assignments:  In class assignments and quizzes cannot be made up. However, it is encouraged that you complete assignments missed in order to further your skills in you chosen field and so that you will not be at a disadvantage.

Weekly Outline

Housekeeping Items:               

1)      NO EATING OR DRINKING IN THE CLASSROOMS AND LABS! Anyone caught in violation of this policy will be asked to leave the classroom.

2)      Class time - is designated to set direction, to allow for discussion and demonstration of new concepts and techniques, and to give critiques and feedback on work done to date.  It is not expected that students will complete assigned projects during class hours.  For this class you should anticipate spending a minimum of 4 hours per week outside of class completing assignments.  If you plan to work at school please check class and lab schedules for available space.  Students are responsible for submitting all work on the syllabus regardless of whether they are reminded in class or not.  Reading the syllabus is the student's responsibility

3)      Absenteeism –According to school policy, you WILL be withdrawn from the school if you are absent 14 CONSECUTIVE calendar days.

4)      Tardiness – I consider habitual tardiness a sign of arrogance.  Understand that you are being prepared for real-world industry. In that real-world scenario, tardiness is rarely tolerated. Please be mindful of this.

5)      Testing policy – Cheating or plagiarism is not allowed and will result in an F.

6)      Late work – Late work is rarely if at all accepted in the professional industries.  I will accept late work, but there is a hefty penalty, 25% off of the grade, and it won’t be accepted past 1 week late.

7)      Cheating and Plagiarism – NOT ALLOWED and will result in an F. There is no flexibility here.

8)      Etiquette – Please be mindful of your peers in class and be respectful of others at all times. This includes keeping your cell phones and beepers on vibrate or silent mode. Please return phone calls on break and outside the building to be respectful of others working.

9)      OLS – All students are required to maintain an active OnLine Services account.  Student email, grade reports, unofficial schedules, unofficial transcripts and other necessary services can only be accessed through OLS, not through the registrar.

10) Student IDs – Students are required to wear their Ai Student Identification Badge visibly on their person at all times while on the school premises. Students without IDs will not be admitted to class.

11) Contacting the Instructor – You can use email, voicemail or set up an appointment to contact your instructor. If the instructor doesn’t respond to your messages within 24 hours, please assume that they didn’t get the message and try again.

12) Students must have an official schedule to sit in class. Instructor will take first day attendance ONLY when the official schedule has been presented.

13) Required textbooks must be obtained by the second class meeting. Textbooks for your class are available from the bookstore. If a textbook is delayed, alternate instructions for obtaining your textbook will be provided.

14) Dress Code – Students must abide by the dress code as defined in the catalog.

15) Children – No children are allowed in class or on campus at any time.

ADA Statement:

It is AiLV policy not to discriminate against qualified students with a documented disability in its educational programs, activities or services.  If you have a disability-related need for accommodations in this class, contact the Disability Services Office at (702) 369-9944 ext. 8550, 2350 Corporate Circle Drive, Henderson, NV 89074.

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