Through hands-on projects this course will explore a wide range of basic animation styles, materials and techniques. This will include flip-books, traditional animation, 2D computer software animation (Flash), cut out and mixed media animation, and stop-motion/claymation. The course will also cover basic animation lighting and sound techniques. Throughout the course we will bring in guest animators to speak and share examples of their own work. After conducting a survey of different animation methods, participants will develop their own projects individually or in small groups. The course will conclude in December with a film showing of student work at sprout that will also be shown on SCATV, Somerville Channel 3.

We will be working on these projects in collaboration with Somerville Community Access Television who will be providing space and equipment to the course. Included in the class fee is a membership to SCATV, which will allow participants to borrow SCATV equipment and make use of their studios and other facilities for one full year.

We will be learning to use a variety of equipment including miniDV camcorders, microphones, lighting kits, and digital SLR cameras. Many of these tools will be available on loan from SCATV. Access to your own laptop will be helpful but not necessary. If you don't have your own laptop, please let us know when you sign up for the course.

Monday meetings will be held at the SCATV facilities from 7–9PM. Mondays will serve as class time in which we will explore animation techniques, screen examples of other animators' work, and get exposure to various animation tools. Thursday nights will meet at sprout's studios just outside Davis Square and be structured as studio time in which participants can ask questions and work on their own projects.

This program will run for 10 weeks, meet twice each week on Monday and Thursday evenings, and cost $380/participant. Contact Jonah and Meagan with any questions about the course. Financial aid (including work trade and sliding scale options) is available; please contact Shaunalynn with any questions about payment.