FMX - Film, Animation, and New Media

A critical and analytical study of the history of animation, from the earliest experiments in countries around the world to modern day computer and videogame animation in Western and non-Western contexts. The course content may consist of lectures, screenings, and discussions, as well as the production of simple animation projects in response to course material. Course readings go in depth to provide an understanding of animation from Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the United States and Canada, each in its own context. May be counted in the Humanities if not credited to the major.

A studio production course that provides an introduction and investigation into digital drawing techniques, principals, concepts and styles. This course involves the correlation between digital drawing and themes. Emphasis is on studying digital drawing styles and techniques. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that introduces electronic and digital tools for use in diverse media projects. Covers the history, evolution and theory of relevant technology in order to provide context for the hardware and software used in the class. Laboratory fee required.

A survey of media in art, including theatre, architecture, sculpture, painting, film, video, sound/music, photography, performance, games and computing and an exploration of how these art forms have been changed by technologies that are digital, networked, immersive, biotechnical and interactive. Within this context the course explores the use of technology as both a medium and a tool. Recent developments in media arts are examined in relationship to historic art movements with an emphasis on the history of art and its critical interpretation.

A studio production course that explores 3D computer modeling and creation of physical reproductions of the 3D models using 3D printers. Includes an investigation into the theory and concepts  of additive manufacturing and design. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that gives an introduction to three-dimensional computer animation, exploring the basic techniques of modeling and animation. The course also includes necessary aspects of texture mapping, deformation, motion control, lighting, cameras and rendering. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that teaches the technique of animation as a visual medium, and enables students (regardless of major) to design, script, write, direct and communicate concepts through animation. Emphasizes art, history, movement, audio design and writing. May be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the humanities if not used in the major. Laboratory fee required.

An introduction to the practice and principles behind the art and craft of screenwriting. Class includes writing exercises, pitching sessions, script readings, and screenings and film analysis of dramatic narrative films, animation and emergent media. Students complete a series of writing assignments, write short screenplays with Final Draft software, and multiple drafts leading to complete short format screenplays. Students learn about major screenwriters and the art, structure and aesthetics of various types of films and emergent media.  This is a writing intensive course, may be used to fulfill the requirements for and the humanities, if not used in the major.

A studio production course that teaches introduction to hands-on digital film production and post-production. Each student will complete a short documentary, narrative and experimental film. Technical instruction will include level-one instruction on non-linear digital editing software and an introduction to HD cameras. Students will be introduced to portable equipment at the cage (including cameras, tripods, audio recording tools and more) and production facilities, including the black box studio space. Class will be comprised of technical demonstrations, in-class shoots and critiques of student work. Basic history, theory and aesthetics of related media are presented.

May not be used to satisfy general distribution requirements. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course, students develop professional online portfolios, as assigned, to include: 1) work completed within their majors at UT; 2) work from other institutions in transferred courses; 3) bios, project statements, resumes and cover letters. Final portfolios will be submitted for FMX 398 Junior Portfolio Review to be reviewed by FMX faculty. Class will include brainstorming sessions to solve technical and conceptual problems with the support of fellow students, invited faculty and guest professionals. To be taken with FMX 398 after completion of 44 credits. For Animation, Digital Arts, New Media, or BFA Film and Media Arts programs.

A studio production course that is a continued exploration of graphic and time based tools with emphasis on the creative usage of programming languages. The class will be centered around the interactive manipulation of traditional and experimental time based media and graphics. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that is an advanced Web design and production class addressing the history and culture of the Internet and exploring the Web as a domain for publication and expression for online producers. Special emphasis is placed on defining the differences between client-side and server-side creations, and how these affect the content and presentation of the information on the Web. It also emphasizes the evolution of multimedia into hypermedia through the use of client/server tools, Web services, programming languages and databases. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that offers students a hands-on opportunity to explore narrative filmmaking using digital technologies in a combined theory and practice approach. Each student completes a series of short digital films relating to the history, theory and aesthetics of narrative film. Technical instruction includes digital cinematography, lighting, sound and editing. Class includes screenings and discussions on the history and theory of the narrative film. May be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the majors. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that offers students a hands-on opportunity to explore documentary filmmaking using digital technologies in a combined theory and practice approach. Each student completes one or more short digital films relating to the history, theory and aesthetics of the documentary film. Technical instruction includes digital cinematography, lighting, sound and editing. Class includes screenings and discussions on the history and theory of documentary film and video. May be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the humanities if not used for the majors. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that offers students a hands-on opportunity to explore experimental filmmaking in a combined theory and practice approach. Each student completes one or more short films relating to the history, theory and aesthetics of the experimental film. Technical instruction includes cinematography, camera operation, lighting, editing and sound. Class includes screenings and discussions on the history and theory of experimental cinema. May be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the humanities, if not in the majors. Laboratory fee required.

An advanced studio production course that further develops skills in 3D printing skills with a focus in 3D sculpting. Applications in 3D sculpting will be studied in depth to create different types of highly detailed 3D models, from hard surface objects to fantastic creatures and characters. Industry standard software and techniques will be used during class. Retopology, exporting and portfolio/demo reel creation will also be a component of the course. Laboratory fee required.,

A studio production course that investigates three-dimensional computer animation, including advanced techniques of modeling and animation. This course also includes necessary aspects of texture mapping, character rigging, motion control, animation principles, digital lighting, virtual camera principles, particle effects, dynamics and rendering. Laboratory fee required.

An advanced studio production course that investigates and develops skills and knowledge in, 3D computer modeling for game graphics, game asset and animation clip development, coding for interactive content and game engines, and content for virtual and augmented reality. The course will also cover character rigging, surface texturing and digital lighting as it applies to games and interactivity. The integration of content into game engines and the distribution of content along with multiplayer experiences will be covered. Laboratory fee required.

An advanced studio production course that investigates and develops skills in, simple script writing, directing, choreography, and animation in the area of motion capture for film, games, computer simulations, and interactive media. Computer character design and computer character rigging will be a component to facilitate original creative outcomes. This course offers the opportunity for students to offer professional services to the community in the form of motion capture data. It also seeks to prepare students to work with dancers, performers, athletes, and actors in their animation, VFX and game development careers. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that introduces students to digital visual effects (VFX) for film, animation, new media and television. Through hands-on creative VFX assignments students will gain basic skills, including: compositing, keying, matchmoving, rotoscoping, camera projection and basic 3D animation. Students will learn how visual effects have evolved globally, and are used in the gamut of productions from cutting edge music videos to groundbreaking films and documentaries. Students will create portfolios of their own work through the exploration of contemporary VFX techniques used within the professional and independent industry. This course may be counted in the Humanities if not credited in the major. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that covers the aesthetics and techniques of motion picture cinematography through hands-on demos and assignments. Instruction includes camera operation with in-class workshops utilizing  Canon DSLR, RED Scarlet and Blackmagic cameras, inter-changeable lenses, filters, lighting, diffusion screens, car-mounts and support systems. Underwater cinematography, macro cinematography, time lapse, and other specialized techniques will be covered. Through this course students will creatively explore the principles of cinematography including, composition, exploring the X and Z axis, use of light, color theory, depth of field, and more. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that will encourage experimentation and innovation in sound design for motion pictures, animation, and new media. Instruction and assignments will include techniques in location and studio recording, audio post-production, including ADR, sound effects editing, and mixing that can be applied to a wide array of media - from films, to mobile applications, to audio installation. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that explores the roles in the creative decision-making processes of the director, cinematographer and production designer.  It emphasizes the technical, administrative and communication skills that provide the means for successful realization of drama, television, documentary and new media projects.  The aim is to develop a wide range of skills necessary for effective performance in these roles in the context of complex creative collaboration.  Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that professionalizes the implementation and production of animation techniques, including the use of computers. Advanced projects deal with specific problems and exercises in drawing, storyboard and script/visual analysis. May not be used to satisfy general distribution requirements. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course in creative digital interactive game design and production. Each student will pitch a unique game concept, develop storyboards, prototypes, and layouts, explore user interfaces, interactivity and application architecture, and create the game through industry standard programming languages and mobile platforms. Classes will be comprised of hands-on workshops on UX/UI design concepts, software and coding, critiques of students works in-process, and the basic theory and history behind successful games. Laboratory fee required.

Covers the elements of developing and writing scripts for feature films, animation projects, and other long form media, including character development, dialogue, and dramatic structure. This is a writing intensive course, and may be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the humanities, if not used in the major.

A writing intensive workshop course designed to generate and refine short-form script-writing for narrative filmmaking, animation, and other short-form narrative media. Students will analyze short narratives in cinema, literature, and other media, and explore structure, character, situational drama and conflict, and cinematic modes of the short form story on screen through workshops of original stories, revised screenplays, and stories adapted for screens from previously-written material. This is a writing intensive course, and may be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the humanities, if not used in the major.

A studio production course that teaches producing of professional Hollywood style and independent episodic, serial, and long form, and/or interactive digital media productions. Students acquire skills in production budgets, package development, assignment of production roles, script breakdown, shooting schedules, call sheets, location permits, guilds and unions contracts, marketing and sales presentations and including distribution plans for potential projects.  Relevant producing software is taught and utilized. Laboratory fee required