CG 655Advanced Visual Effects Animation Production

This course provides a solid technical and aesthetic foundation for animation video production and post-production with Maya. It concentrates on the issues of shot succession, timing, action, and sound/image relations as an aid to general post-production skills and revisualization of computer Visual Effects animation. The course will cover the essential elements of linear and non-linear systems, as well as the general ecology of production and post-production in this rapidly changing field. Students should preferably have some experience with video editing systems before entering the class. With a focus on advanced animation production, the course examines the use of Maya’s digital technologies in the creation of 3D animation end products: full screen video, TV commercials, and movies with Visual Effects. The class covers the process of computerized animation design and production through all phases of the production cycle: from layout, lighting, editing, and composition to digital file video recording, etc. Other advanced features introduced include the development of environment effects, visual effects, use of Maya and After Effects between media, and the fine-tuning of final compositions.