This course explores the progression and evolution of the field of animation and the visual effects used in entertainment from the past to present. The student will gain insight of the development of the movie industry and those that helped develop and create the dynamic characters, environments and stories they loved as a child. We will delve into the innovations and creative minds that inspire our own. Are you ready for the journey?
Course Outline
Module 1 | The Silent Years of Film
The Silent Years of film and Animation are the foundation of the moving picture industry. The student will discover the creative and magical techniques developed by artists McCay and Max Fleischer that brought memorable characters to life, and into our hearts. These masters of the silent films were able to convey the art of storytelling without any spoken word.
Module 2 | Cel Animation and Multiplane Camera
The art of storytelling continues with the development of Cel-Animation and the Multiplane Camera. The student will discover how these inventions transformed the entertainment industry and the success of the Walt Disney studios.
Module 3 | Disney, Iwerks & the Golden Years of Animation
The student will explore the Golden Years of Animation and the dynamic partnership between Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. From their early years at Universal and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to the creation of Mickey Mouse and the Disney Studios, these are the men behind the magic that transformed character animation forever.
Module 4 | Warner Brothers Studios
The students will explore the history of the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts and artists such as Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, and Mel Blanc, "The Man of Thousand Voices" that created them. The student will cover the contributions of the Warner Brothers Studios in the field of animation and how the development of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck where some of the most iconic characters ever penciled on paper.
Module 5 | Industrial Light & Magic / Pixar
The entertainment industry would be lifeless without the visual effects to help drive the story. The student will discover the contributions of John Lasseter, George Lucas’s THX, and ILM – Industrial Light & Magic, Steve Jobs and the creation of Pixar. During this time in history, the visual world comes alive in the field of CGI with the contributions of engineers and visionaries.
Module 6 | New Studios
The art of innovative storytelling and visual effects continue with the development of some new iconic creative studios such as DreamWorks, Blue Sky Studios, Sony and Aardman Animation. The students will see the contributions of Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, and many others and their innovative way of storytelling.
Course Instructor
Available Enrollments
History of Animation
For this on-ground course, students will have the opportunity to work with their instructor in studio.
Included with this course:
- 6 weeks of professional instruction
- Access to the on-ground facilities and resources
- Weekly assignments and feedback
- Graded final assignment
- Credit towards a corresponding program area
*Disclaimer: Because this is an on-ground course, a minimum of 5 students must sign up for the course to make. If the course does not reach this minimum, all students who have signed up will be fully refunded and the course schedule will be canceled.
Enroll now for this on-ground course that begins 3/3/2025!