Course Curriculum
TERM 01
Fundamentals of 2D Animation
Learn 2D animation fundamentals starting with drawing based on the 12 Principles of Animation. Using the industry standard software Toon Boom Harmony, your mentor will show you key tools and features. Then start creating your own pieces including a bouncing ball, flour sack jump, character walk cycle, and a character reaction known as a “take”.
Learn how to:
- Navigate Toon Boom Harmony UI
- Use the 12 Principles of Animation
- Build 2D animations from scratch
- Stay organized and work efficiently
Weekly Breakdown
- The Principles of Animation
- Bouncing Ball Exercise 01
- Bouncing Ball Exercise 02
- Drawing Fundamentals
- Flour Sack Exercise 01
- Flour Sack Exercise 02
- Flour Sack Exercise 03
- Walk Cycle Contact Poses
- Walk Cycle Inbetweens
- Walk Cycle Follow-through
- Character Take Key Poses
- Character Take Inbetweens
*Curriculum subject to change based on industry input
TERM 02
Acting and Creature Animation
After strengthening your skills in anatomy drawing, challenge your understanding of body mechanics by animating a quadruped walk and a biped run in perspective. You’ll develop your ability to plan and visualize a performance with a lesson on acting for animators. Then you’ll have a go at animating a pantomime and short dialogue character scenes yourself.
Learn how to:
- Use advanced drawing techniques
- Set up proper workflows for projects
- Study and analyze acting scenes
- Create 3 polished portfolio pieces
Weekly Breakdown
- Anatomy for Animators
- Anatomy with Volume
- Quadruped Walks 01
- Quadruped Walks 02
- Runs in Perspective 01
- Run in Perspective 02
- Acting for Animators
- Pantomime: Key Drawings
- Pantomime: In-betweens
- Study of Animation Greats
- Character Monologue 01
- Character Monologue 02
*Curriculum subject to change based on industry input
TERM 03
Advanced Acting for Animation
By this stage, you’re excited and ready for more advanced aspects of 2D: creating appealing characters, solid drawings, expressive acting and fx animation. Increase your technical skills while working towards creating a polished dialog scene. Finish the 2D animation course by polishing your portfolio and exploring career pathways with your mentor.
Learn how to:
- Create successful model sheets
- Develop a 2-person dialogue scene
- Add compelling FX and details
- Finalize projects for your portfolio
Weekly Breakdown
- Body Language
- Dialogue Scene: Planning
- Study of Acting Scenes
- Dialogue Scene 01
- Dialogue Scene 02
- Figure Drawing
- Dialogue Scene 03
- Drawing Quadrupeds
- Clean-up Animation
- Tradigital FX 01
- Tradigital FX 02
- Animation Reel Review
*Curriculum subject to change based on industry input
Meet Your Mentors
Scott Claus
Scott worked at Disney and DreamWorks Feature Animation on classics such as: Pocahontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Prince of Egypt and Road to El Dorado. He later moved to CG work where he worked on films like Over the Hedge, Flushed Away, The Hulk and The Golden Compass. As a supervisor, he was part of the team that won an Oscar for best special effects for Life of Pi. Scott was instrumental in bringing this 2D animation course to life, and is excited to share his passion with you!
Known For
Mike Wiesmeier
It was Mike’s trip to Disneyland at the age of eight that led him to an animation career of 28 years. He’s worked as an animator, supervisor and director on AAA video games, TV shows and feature films for companies like Walt Disney Studios, Filmax Animation, Netflix, and Eidos Interactive. His credits include Pocahontas, Hercules, Tarzan, Fantasia 2000, and F is For Family. Mike’s wealth of knowledge helped inform the 2D animation course curriculum, and he is a wonderful mentor!
Known For
