BFA in Animation (68–71 hours)
This is a limited-enrollment program requiring departmental admissions approval. Please see the department office for information regarding requirements for admission to this major.
The BFA in animation is an interdisciplinary degree offered by the College of Fine Arts and Communications through the cooperative involvement of the Department of Theatre and Media Arts and the Department of Visual Arts and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences' Computer Science Department.
Application deadline: June 8 after completing CSAnm 150, VAAnm 131, and VAAnm 160.
Program Requirements |
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- Complete the following premajor courses:
CSANM 150 : Introduction to Three-Dimensional Computer Graphics.
(1.5:1.5:1.5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall Blk 1, Blk 2; Winter Blk 1, Blk 2; Spring |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Fundamentals of modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering used in exploring principles and elements of three-dimensional design. |
VAANM 131 : Figure Drawing for Animators.
(3:6:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Figure study in animation using a variety of media and methods. Readings, writing, and participation in course work exhibition required. |
VAANM 160 : Introduction to Two-Dimensional Animation Skills.
(1.5:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Summer |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Foundational principles and techniques for animation, storyboarding, design, and a variety of two-dimensional animation skill sets. |
- Obtain acceptance into the animation BFA program.
- Pass portfolio review during the sophomore year.
- Complete the following foundation courses:
CSANM 250 : Intermediate Three-Dimensional Computer Graphics.
(2:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Fundaments of building three-dimensional computer models and setting up model rigs for mobility. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 250 beginning Fall 2012. |
CSANM 252 : Introduction to Three-Dimensional Animation.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | STANM 250 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Foundational principles and techniques of three-dimensional animation, including timing and pacing, character setup, and dynamics. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 252 beginning Fall 2012. |
CSANM 350 : Character Animation in 3D.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | STANM 252 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Three-dimensional character animation applying traditional animation principles. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 350 beginning Fall 2012. |
CSANM 354 : Shader Programming.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Shading and rendering techniques for the attainment of desired visual effects: use of shading languages for the realization of both photorealistic and non-photorealistic imaging. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 354 beginning Fall 2012. |
CSANM 450R : Advanced Senior Film Production 1.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| DESCRIPTION:  | In-depth experiences creating computer animations and visual effects. Senior film front-end development and introduction to full animation production. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 450 beginning Fall 2012. |
CSANM 458 : Three-Dimensional Visual Effects.
(1.5:1.5:1.5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter Blk 2 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Exploring procedural and three-dimensional animation methods to create realistic special effects. Applying a large spectrum of animation principles to integrate their effects aesthetically and convincingly into a live action or animated environment. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 458 beginning Fall 2012. |
TMA 102 : Introduction to Film.
(3:4:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Analytical studies for understanding and appreciating media forms and messages, as well as basic history, theory, and aesthetics. Lab required. |
VAANM 262 : Two-Dimensional Animation.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | VAANM 131 & VAANM 160 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Fundamental principles of two-dimensional animation: timing, acting, performance, overlapping action, volumes, etc. This is a traditional two-dimensional drawing course. |
VAANM 265 : Drawing for Animation.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | VAANM 131 & VAANM 160 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Fundamental skills of animation artists, namely design, composition, staging, value, color, etc. |
VAANM 360R : Advanced Storyboarding.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | VAANM 160 & VAANM 250R & VAANM 260 & VAANM 265 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Exploring the professional practices of storyboard artists in advertising, film, TV, and animation through individual and group projects. |
VAANM 363R : Two-Dimensional Animation Production.
(1.5:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter Blk 2 |
| PREREQUISITE: | VAANM 160 & VAANM 250R & VAANM 260 & VAANM 262 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Develop basic knowledge of two-dimensional animation; emphasizing acting and performance of individual projects. |
VAANM 460 : Business and Ethics in Animation.
(2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | Acceptance to animation program. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Learning the practical and ethical side to the entertainment industry through readings and discussions as preparation for expectations as artists, leaders, and members of the Church. |
VAANM 468R : Special Effects.
(1.5:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter Blk 1 |
| PREREQUISITE: | VAANM 262 & VAANM 265 & STANM 350 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | The principles of design, research, timing, and movement of effect animation in a traditional drawing format. |
- Complete one course from the following:
CSANM 452R : Advanced Senior Film Production 2.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Portfolio development based on advanced animation/design projects. Senior film production and post production. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 452R beginning Fall 2012. |
CSANM 497R : BFA Final Project.
(1-3:Arr:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| PREREQUISITE: | BFA advisor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Advanced individual project with minimum guidance, showing high degree of competence within chosen major. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 497R beginning Fall 2012. |
- Complete the following:
TMA 294 : History of Animation.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | TMA 102 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Origins and developments of animation internationally to the present, focusing on aesthetic, technical, political, and economic aspects of the medium. |
- Complete one course from the following:
TMA 291 : Media Arts History 1.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Spring |
| PREREQUISITE: | TMA 112 & TMA 114 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Survey of social, aesthetic, business, and technical dimensions of film and media from 1895 to 1945. |
TMA 292 : Media Arts History 2.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter; Summer |
| PREREQUISITE: | TMA 112 & TMA 114 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Survey of social, aesthetic, business, and technical dimensions of film and media from 1946 to present. |
VAILL 355 : History of American Illustration 1 (1860-1930).
(3:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| PREREQUISITE: | Visual arts core. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Survey of illustration in visual communication, emphasizing the birth of publishing and "Golden Age" of American illustration, 1860-1930. |
VAILL 356 : History of American Illustration 2 (1930-Present).
(3:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | Visual arts core. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Survey of American illustration in visual communication, emphasizing from 1930 to the present. |
- Complete three courses from the following:
CSANM 351R : Lighting for Three-Dimensional Graphics.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Developing lighting and color, and the compiling of the various elements for final images for use in three-dimensional applications. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 351R beginning Fall 2012. |
CSANM 454 : Advanced Shading.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Advanced shading, rendering, and lighting methods for creating virtual scenes that emphasize story and innovatively meet an art director's vision through traditional and procedural methods. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 454 beginning Fall 2012. |
CSANM 459R : Advanced Animation Technology.
(1.5:1.5:1.5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Meeting a variety of complex visual production demands by combining technical ingenuity with artistic creativity. Crafting directable tools with artistic flexibility and using them to create visuals for the production's story. |
| NOTE: | Course changed to CSAnm 459R beginning Fall 2012. |
TMA 123 : Acting Fundamentals.
(2:4:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Fundamental acting skills: exercises in perception, objective/action, thought processes, scoring of scripts. Lab required. |
TMA 185 : Basic Media Production.
(3:4:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring |
| PREREQUISITE: | Media arts major/minor status or animation major status; concurrent enrollment in TMA 105. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Introduction to basics of film and video production. Includes lecture and practical lab experiences with audio and video. |
TMA 241 : Screenwriting 1.
(3:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring, On Demand; Summer, On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | TMA 291 or 292 or concurrent enrollment. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Basic narrative and nonfiction (documentary, educational, industrial, multimedia) screenwriting principles through reading, viewing, testing, and completing writing assignments. |
TMA 257 : Storytelling.
(2:4:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | TMA 115; Theatre education major status or instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Theories, techniques, and practice in the art of constructing and telling stories for use in performance, recreational, and educational settings. |
TMA 475R : Media Arts Capstone.
(.5-3:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | Media arts major status. By application only. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Final collaborative project for media students. May be narrative, nonfiction, multimedia, writing, or critical studies format. |
| NOTE: | Fee. |
VAANM 263 : Writing for Animation.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | VAANM 160 & STANM 150; Acceptance into animation program. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Fundamental principles of writing, creation, and telling of short animations. |
VAANM 361R : Visual Development and Character Design.
(3:6:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | VAANM 250R & VAANM 265 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Design characters, props, and environments for various uses in animation and print. |
VAANM 365R : Digital Painting.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | VAANM 250R & VAANM 265 & VAANM 361R |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Tools and techniques of digital painting for concept design in the entertainment industry. |
VAILL 350R : Advanced Life Drawing.
(3:2:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring |
| PREREQUISITE: | VAILL 131 & VAILL 252 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Drawing the figure in modern or historical costume; developing drawing skills, especially relating to the draped figure. |
VAILL 453 : Illustration 4.
(3:2:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| PREREQUISITE: | VAILL 351 & VAILL 352; BFA acceptance. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Advanced assignments in illustration. Various instructors with unique skills and market experience. |
VAPHO 170 : Introduction to Black and White Photography.
(3:2:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| PREREQUISITE: | Acceptance into visual arts program. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Basic camera and darkroom techniques emphasizing black and white film processing and printmaking. |
VASTU 104 : Introduction to Sculpture for Non-Majors.
(3:4:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Basic sculpture processes and concepts, including lecture, demonstrations, lab time, slide lectures, some art historical material. |
| NOTE: | Fee. This course is part of a GE Mosaic. See ge.byu.edu/mosaic-list for more information. |