Guidelines for Assignment 1

SMST318-14A: Animation Studies

Guidelines for Assignment 1: Proposal (pairs) Due: 8 & 9 April

*This is a Compulsory assignment, worth 30% of total course assessment.

In pairs, create a proposal for a moving image project that explores some key concepts associated with the study of animation (see assignment brief # 2). This is a proposal that (in the real world) would be utilised to apply for and attract funding for the project you will produce for assignment 2. With this function in mind, your proposal should be clear and sucinct, and should make use of visual language and visual imagery to attract interest in your project.

The project you are proposing can be situated within any moving image genre, or straddle two or three genres (animated documentary, music video, experimental video, live performance, video installation, dramatic short film, machinima etc). Your project does not need to follow a classical narrative storyline, but your knowledge of narrative conventions, structuring devices and character should be evident in the manner with which these aspects are presented in the proposal (i.e: treatment, beat script, storyboard, images etc). This means that we encourage you to explore various alternatives to classical narrative, such as analogical structure, poetic structure etc. But this exploration needs to be evident in your proposal.

You must create and present this proposal in the form of a blogsite. This will enable you to upload scripts, storyboards, still and moving images showing your ongoing process, which will also provide a context for discussion amongst your peers. When you present this proposal to class, you should take the opportunity to seek feedback from your peers and teacher(s). Remember that this is effectively a pitch for your project, so be enthusiastic!

The following assessment criteria will be utilised to assess your proposal:

• Demonstrates effective use of visual and written language, which attracts interest in the project.
• Demonstrates a high level of conceptual exploration..
• Demonstrates a high level of contextual research has been conducted in relevant areas.
• Demonstrates effective selection and use of relevent audio-visual examples that demonstrate your historical, cultural and aesthetic research, as a context for your project development.
• Provides adequate information, such as scripts, storyboards, images, examples of other audio-visual projects that have been an inspiration to your project, aesthetic influences, conceptual background, production crew, etc.
• Presents information clearly and succinctly, and with enthusiasm for your proposed project.

The duration of your presentation should be 15 mins, after which you should offer the opportunity for 5-10 mins of questions, discussion and constructive feedback from the audience. * You must email your blogsite URL (along with a list of the full names and ID numbers of all students involved in creating this proposal) to the course convenor at least one day before the presentation date (before 2pm on 7th April).

Note: all assessments for this paper must be uploaded to the blogsite, which will need to be kept active throughout the semester so that assessment can take place.