Open Call for Participants
This workshop, led by Rola Khouri, hopes to provide participants with a foundational understanding of alternative animation through a series of discussions of work by artists who have impacted the field. The documentary “The Screening Room Series: Animation Collection” will provide the foundation for these discussions.
During the sessions, participants will produce a short group animation project which will apply basic animation principles. Participants will gain exposure to editing software (Frame Thief and Final Cut Pro). Through this group animation project, unorthodox methods of animation will be examined, such as working with scanned objects, cut outs, or even yourself.
No prior knowledge of animation is needed.
Registration is open to all, and participants are expected to attend all sessions. The workshop is free of charge. Places are limited, so please sign up by email ([email protected]).
The workshop will be every Saturday from 13/Sep til 18/Oct
Workshop objective:
• Session 1: Historical overview of alternative animation techniques
An introduction to experimental animation and its different techniques; explored through a lecture, short animation screenings followed by a discussion. The process and methodologies of the different artists work will be explored and discuss with particular focus on how these artists challenge our traditional understanding of animation.
Learning objective: By the end of the session, participates will be able to identify key artists and techniques that have influenced alternative animation.
• Session 2: Caroline Leaf and Mary Beams work discussed.
Phase one of group project.
Screening & discussion of Leaf and Beams work
Caroline Leaf and Mary Beams (color, 75 min, 1975/2005)
Description from Documentary Educational Resources (der.org)
Academy Award nominee Caroline Leaf’s animated work springs from her expert storytelling and pioneering animation techniques. Accomplished animator Mary Beams’ hand-drawn films carry themes of memory, erotic fantasy and feminism. Both women visited Screening Room in July, 1975.
Discussion of group project:
– Brainstorming group project with a focus on concept
– Discussing the project theme and the techniques to be employed
Learning objective: By the end of the session, participates will be able to describe and react to Leaf and Beams contributions to alternative animation. They will be able to develop project concepts and rational.
• Session 3: Robert Breer work discussed.
Phase two of group project.
Screening of Breer’s work and discussion
Description from Documentary Educational Resources (der.org)
Robert Breer (color, 75 min, 1976/2005)
Since the 1950s, American animator Robert Breer has been well-known for his films exploring shape, color, perspective and motion. In November 1976, he appeared on the program to Recreation, A Man and His Dog Out for Air, 69, Gulls and Buoys, Fuji, and Rubber Cement.
Part Two; work on group animation project
– Introduction to the use of the freeware animation program Frame Thief, the concept of onion skinning is explained and implemented. Frames and timing in film explained.
Beginning of work on group project
– Scene 1 – Using frame thief and camera: filming of scene 1
Learning objective: By the end of the session, participates will be able to describe and react to Robert Breer’s contributions to alternative animation. They will also begin to understand how to use Frame Thief in order to compile and shoot.
• Session 4: John & Faith Hubley work screened and discussed.
Phase three of group project.
Screening of John & Faith Hubley works and discussion
Description from Documentary Educational Resources (der.org)
John & Faith Hubley (color, 64 min, 1975/2005)
Academy Award winning husband and wife John and Faith Hubley worked as a team over many years to set standards for creative animation. They appeared on Screening Room in April 1973 to discuss and screen their films.
Part Two ; work on group animation project
Filming of scene 2
Learning objective: By the end of the session, participates will be able to describe and react to John & Faith Hubley’s contributions to alternative animation. A more developed understanding of how to use Frame Thief in order to compile and shoot will be explored.
• Session 5: John Whitney, Sr , “father of Computer Graphics.”
Phase four of group project.
Part One; screening of John Whitney, Sr work and discussion
Description from Documentary Educational Resources (der.org)
John Whitney, Sr. (color, 68 min, 1972/2005)
Abstract computer animator, inventor and digital pioneer John Whitney, Sr. (1917-1995) is widely considered the “father of Computer Graphics.” He was a guest on the inaugural episode of Screening Room in November, 1972.
Part Two ; Part one & two ; work on group animation project
Compiling scene 1-3 into Final Cut Pro.
Learning objective: By the end of the session, participates will be able to describe and react to John Whitney, Sr contributions to computer generated animation. By the end of the session, participates will be able to import finished video clips into Final cut Pro where they can then be edited. Participants will also be able gain a better understanding of the role of sound in animation.
• Session 6:
Part one:
Adding sound.
Part two;
Screening of film. discussing content and writing synopsis.
Learning objective: By the end of the session, participates will be able to understand how to create an sample animation.