ANIM 30102 Fall 2015 Assignments

1. Anim 30102 Fall 2015
Storyboarding- Advanced Story Structure
Instructor: James Caswell james.caswell1@sheridanc.on.ca
Office hours: Room A160. Office Hours: TBD.
Assignments
ASSIGNTMENT #1: Premise/Sketch/Present INDIVIDUAL MARK
You will produce a premise, inspirational sketch and present your idea for the GROUP project
that comprises the bulk of the 3rd
year of the BA: Animation program.
You will produce:
1. A logline: a brief sentence or “elevator pitch” that describes the essence of your story. Think
tweet length (140 characters.) THIS IS NOT THE MORAL OF THE STORY.
2. A synopsis: one or two paragraphs that will explain the character and conflicts of the story.
The theme or moral should be explicit. This is the: who, what, where, when, and why of the
story. Both of these are considered part of the premise.
3. An inspirational sketch: the sketch can be black & white or colour but must communicate
the essence of the story. It is a launch pad of the storyboarding process, not a concept
illustration. The sketch can be presented under the document camera or as a digital file.
4. Present. You will present their premise and sketch for class critique.
Deliverables: Value: 10%
Sketch and premise on one page.
One hard copy or one electronic copy (PDF) submitted to HAND_IN folder.
If you choose a hard copy, please remember to hand it in after the presentation.
Due: Week 3 in lab.
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Pitch an individual story that reflects thoughtful and coherent visual and written development.
Apply strong storytelling abilities that feature character, emotion and movement.

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ASSIGNTMENT #2: Story Development/ Story Reel GROUP MARK
Working as a member of a group, you will produce rough story ideas, inspirational sketches,
research material, a storyboard through many iterations, and, “pitch” the group story (describe
and act out.)
At every stage, you are expected to give and receive “notes” (suggestions to better communicate
the story.) The application of these notes is an integral part of the storyboard process.
The first pass should be written. On index cards, break the story concept into a beginning,
middle and end. One card per beat. Brainstorm situations that develop the story and character.
Research the characters and environment your story takes place in. Develop a shot list from these
cards. This will facilitate the division of labour drawing the board. Each group member should
illustrate a concept of one of the story situations.
Deliverables:
1. Rough Board (1st Pass) Value: 5%
To be reviewed in the lab.
Due: Week 4
2. Rough Boards (2nd
Pass) Value: 5%
To be reviewed in the lab.
Due: Week 5
3. Sketch Pass (3rd
Pass) Value: 5%
To be reviewed in the lab.
Due: Week 6
4. Pitch Story in Lecture Value: 15%
One electronic copy (PDF) visuals to be pitched in the lecture.
One PDF of the presentation to be submitted to HAND_IN folder.
Due: Week 7 in the lecture period.
NEW THIS YEAR: Critique or “Getting notes” is an important part of the filmmaking
process. In your future careers, you will be asked to give and receive notes. This is an important
skill to practice.
AFTER WK 7 Story Sketch Presentation:
You will submit your notes: suggestions for improvement, confusions or what you think works
in the Hand_In folder Friday after the presentation. It will affect your individual mark by 5% if
you do not submit. The notes will be compiled and sent to the appropriate group for
consideration. You will be given some time after each story presentation to make your notes.

3. Anim 30102 Fall 2015
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Generate storyboards that exhibit visual continuity and consistency.
Develop a variety of co-operative strategies and leadership skills within the context of the group
story production.
Collaborate effectively on the pre-production story visualization, development and research for
use in the final group story reel.
Incorporate sophisticated elements of story (multiple conflict, complex character development
and story arc) into the development of the storyboard.
Demonstrate practical knowledge of cinematic language, acting and staging and the ability to
express story and character through drawings.
Present work in a clear and entertaining way with the ability to invent action and express it
through drawing.
Analyze the elements of story from a visual presentation, deconstruct, comment and defend in
written and verbal form.

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ASSIGNTMENT #3: The Storyboard Test INDIVIDUAL MARK
THIS ASSIGNMENT RUNS CONCURRANTLY (AT THE SAME TIME) AS THE GROUP PROJECT.
YOU ARE REPONSIBLE TO YOUR GROUP FOR THE WORK YOU ARE ASSIGNED AS WELL.
This assignment will simulate a storyboard test from a production company. It is now standard
that animation production house ask you to do a test to demonstrate your storyboarding
understanding.
You will be required to produce: rough ideas, roughs, and a clean approximately timed and
properly labeled board. (An animatic (Lecia) can also be produced but is not necessary.)
You are required to storyboard the script in as many panels as you think necessary. In an actual
situation, you should watch a number of the episodes of the program to recognize who the
audience is, similar shows, the attitudes of the characters, etc. As this is a sample case, this is
NOT required.
This assignment is to show your thinking process on how to interpret and illustrate the script as
presented. DO NOT focus on making elaborately rendered drawings, but demonstrate how
you communicate the action in the script, the acting in the dialogue and that the characters and
BGs are in the style of the show. Be as close to model as possible. Size relations are particularly
important. Rough/ loose drawings are fine but be clear as to what’s going on.
These tests typically take a day or two to complete so you should judge you time accordingly.
Elements Supplied:
Board template, character models, and script. On this project, no location design or secondary
characters are provided. You will have to create your own
Deliverables:
1. 1st
Pass: Value: 5%
To be reviewed / marked in the lab.
Due: in Lab Week 5
2. 2nd
Pass Value: 10%
To be reviewed the lab.
Due: in Lab Week 7
3. Final clean timed Board Value: 10%
One hard copy OR one electronic copy (PDF) submitted to HAND_IN folder.
Due: Lab Week 9
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Generate storyboards that exhibit visual continuity and consistency.

5. Anim 30102 Fall 2015
Complete individual work in accordance with prescribed story production timelines.
Demonstrate practical knowledge of cinematic language, acting and staging and the ability to
express story and character through drawings.
Present work in a clear and entertaining way with the ability to invent action and express it
through drawing.

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ASSIGNTMENT #4: An animatic (Leica Reel) and Conformed Board GROUP MARK
The group will refine their story pitch, assemble a production (conformed) storyboard and
complete an animatic for the 3rd
year group project.
Again, at every stage, you are expected to give and receive “notes” (suggestions for the better
communication of the story.) The application of these notes is an integral part of the storyboard
process.
Deliverables:
1. Animatic Value: 15%
One electronic copy (.mov) submitted to HAND_IN folder prior to Story lecture.
Due in Lecture Week 11 to be screened in the lecture period.
AGAIN, NEW THIS YEAR:
After the Animatic screening, you will submit your notes: suggestions for improvement,
confusions or what you think works in the Hand_in folder Friday after the presentation. It will
affect your mark by 5% if you do not submit. The notes will be compiled and sent to the
appropriate group for consideration.
2. Final Production Board Value: 5%
The board will be clean and timed with appropriate details: numbered pages and scenes,
shot description, dialogue, proper screen direction, sound notes, special effects
indications and slugging notes (rough timing of the scenes.)
The final board should be done in ToonBoom Storyboard Pro (presently industry
standard.)
Due in Week 12 in the Hand_In folder.
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Pitch an individual story that reflects thoughtful and coherent visual and written development.
Develop a variety of co-operative strategies and leadership skills within the context of the group
story production.
Produce a story reel digitally that uses effective sound, timing, recording, editing and
performance processes for the final production.
Incorporate sophisticated elements of story (multiple conflict, complex character development
and story arc) into the development of the storyboard.
Complete individual and collaborative work in accordance with prescribed story production
timelines.
Analyze the elements of story from a visual presentation, deconstruct, comment and defend in
written and verbal form.

7. Anim 30102 Fall 2015
ASSIGNTMENT #5: Story Analysis Test INDIVIDUAL MARK
In the week 13 lecture, a story will be screened. You will be required to analyze the story of the
project. In point form, you will describe the beginning, middle and end, the protagonist, the
theme, the mood, the genre, and give your opinion of the story. This is your chance to
demonstrate and improve your analytical skills.
A story artist must be able to review such projects to deconstruct with respect to their story
aspects: spine, protagonists, plot, characters, theme, etc. to accomplish his/her job.
Deliverables: Value: 15%
THIS WILL BE IN THE LECTURE PERIOD Week 13. MARK YOUR CALENDERS NOW.
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Analyze the elements of story from a visual presentation, deconstruct, comment and defend in
written and verbal form.
Please address questions in lab or to: james.caswell1@sheridanc.on.ca