FMX - Film, Animation, and New Media

History of Animation is a critical and analytical study of the world history of animation, from its earliest origins, up to modern day computer animation for movies, video games and extended reality. The course content may consist of lectures, watching examples of animation from around the world, discussions, as well as the production of simple animation projects.

A studio production course that provides an introduction and investigation into illustration techniques, principals, concepts and styles applied to both traditional and digital illustration. This course involves the correlation between materials and themes. Emphasis is on studying existing illustration 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.

Art and Technology is a course conceived to provide a context for the development of art and its interrelations with technology. Students examine the definition of multimedia and its evolution toward what is currently known as hypermedia. Special emphasis is placed on the creation and transformation of technology used in the 20th century, such as radio, television, computers, the Internet and networked environments. Developments are related to historic art movements.

A studio production course that explores 3D computer modeling, surface texturing and virtual lighting for the purpose of creating digital reproductions of still images. Includes an investigation into the concept of virtual and artificial reality imagery. 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.

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.

An advanced studio production course that further develops skills in 3D printing, modeling, sculpting and painting through the use of 3D printers and appropriate computer software. Applications in 3D modeling and animation (Maya) and 3D sculpting and painting (Mudbox) will be studied in depth to create more accurate and optimized meshes to become 3D printable/sculptural objects. 3D scanning will be used to generate computer models for further development and combination with other existing meshes for 3D printing. Digital lighting and surfacing for computer display and portfolio/demo reel inclusion 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 performance/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.

An advanced studio production course that investigates and develops skills in, 3D computer modeling for CG characters, 3D printing for animatronic creature puppets, and compositing method for combining visual effects and live action footage for film and interactive media. The course will also cover character rigging and creating electronic and mechanical apparatus for controlling animatronic puppet characters. 3D scanning will be used to generate computer meshes for further development and combination with other existing meshes for 3D printing. Digital lighting and surfacing for seamless compositing into live action will also be a component of the course. 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 mobile application design and production. Each student will pitch a unique mobile app concept, develop storyboards, prototypes, and layouts, explore user interfaces, interactivity and application architecture, and create the app 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 applications. Laboratory fee required.

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

A studio production course that teaches advanced creative and technical possibilities of motion picture editing using the University's advanced digital editing facilities. May not be used to satisfy general distribution requirements. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that introduces students to the necessary software, and methodology used for writing, shooting and editing the web series for distribution.  Students will write a web series, shoot, edit, and distribute the pilot episode of their web series.  May not be used to satisfy general distribution requirements. Laboratory fee required.

Inquiry based on experience working in the related field.  May be repeated for credit.  Students gain experiential credit for working within the field in a variety of available positions.

A studio production course that simultaneously explores digital based photography and digital manipulation of imagery. Relevant history, theory and aesthetics of related media are presented, along with discussions of the societal impact that digital imaging has introduced. Laboratory fee required.

A course offered at the discretion of the FMX department.  Subject may focus on a topic of current interest in the field, or topic that is of interest to a particular group of students.  May be repeated for credit, if the topic is different.

Independent project developed under the guidance of a Film, Animation, and New Media Instructor.  Students will apply by submitting a project proposal to an FMX professor for 1-4 credits.  May be repeated for variable credits of 1-4 hours per course.

The Junior Portfolio Review is for students in one of the following: BFA in Film and Media Arts, BFA in Animation, BFA in Digital Arts, BFA in New Media, or BA in New Media Production programs only. The review of on-line portfolios developed within the Professional Seminar, will be made by made by at least two FMX faculty members, and / or guest evaluators. It is a zero-credit course taken concurrent with Professional Seminar, during the second semester sophomore year (after completing 44 credits, before 60 credit hours in the major). The review provides feedback and identifies areas of improvement.

A studio production course that allows faculty and/or professionally oriented students to intensively explore topics in digital & new media.  May be repeated for additional credit, with a maximum of 6 credits total.

A studio production course that allows faculty and/or professionally oriented students to select and intensively explore topics in animation.  May be repeated for additional credit, with a maximum of 6 credits total.

This studio production course offers a hands-on approach to exploring the methods through which humans communicate with computers and interact with physical and virtual spaces. Students will create works that explore self-expression and interaction with analog and virtual interfaces, in tangible, digital, or expanded realities. Laboratory fee required.

A studio production capstone course for seniors to complete a thesis film production as the requirement for graduation in the film and media arts degree programs.  Pre-production and production of the senior thesis project will be completed by the end of the semester.  Students pursue production projects of sufficient breadth and depth as to crystallize their experiences at the University.  Should be taken two semesters prior to graduation (fall semester, for spring graduation; spring semester for fall graduation). Laboratory fee required.

A studio production course that introduces students to contemporary multimedia and installation through both the study of the cutting-edge practitioners within the field and through the production of related projects. Modes of production covered include video projection, audio installation, mixed, virtual and augmented reality, and hybrid combinations of the above. Laboratory fee required.

Independent project developed under the guidance of a Film, Animation and New Media instructor.  Students will apply by submitting a project proposal to a FMX professor for 1-4 credits. May be repeated for variable credits of 1-4 hours per course.

A studio production mandatory capstone course for Animation, Digital Arts, or New Media majors. Each student will create a creative thesis project in their major area that demonstrates the depth and breadth of their learning, leading to exhibition of this work.  This course is required to be taken in students' final semester in the program, and that they exhibit and present their thesis work during the scheduled showcase. Laboratory fee required.