Non-Cinema Majors and the Animation Emphasis (Jan 2009)

The Animation Emphasis is located in the Cinema Department and is open to Non-Cinema majors who pass the Portfolio Review. The Animation curriculum provides students with a foundation for developing short animated films from initial planning to production and post-production. Students work in a variety of techniques: hand drawn, stop-motion, 2D/3D computer and effects animation. Enrollment in ALL animation courses requires consent of instructor. Admission to CINE 360 requires a Portfolio Review. Non-Cinema majors who fulfill the prerequisite core of their major may apply and should contact an animation advisor.


Portfolio Review

The Portfolio Review is held in the Fall Semester only, the day before classes begin, in FA 325, 10am to

12noon. Students must bring copies of transcripts and DARS reports to the review.


Portfolio Guidelines:

It is highly recommended that students take a Beginning Drawing and a Life Drawing class before the review. Portfolios should only include a student’s strongest work and be limited to 20 pages assembled in one book.

*4-6 samples of life drawings done from live subjects (not from photographic references)

*4-6 samples of rough and gesture style sketches of animals and humans in motion (not from photographic

or cartoon references)

*2-4 samples of color and design work that may include drawing, painting, photography, 2D and or 3D design

*2 samples of recent personal work in any media

*Up to 2 animation or film samples in DVD format are welcome



Animation Emphasis Required Courses (3 units each / 15 units total)


Cine 360 - Animation 1 (fall) Intro to principles of animation & various techniques. Portfolio Review

Cine 362 - Animation 2 (spring) Intro to sync-sound animation using various technologies

Cine 365 - Animation History OR Cine 465 - Contemporary Animation

Cine 466 - Animation 3 (fall) Develop a short animation project. Storyboard Required

Cine 468 - Adv Animation Workshop (spring) Completion of animation project started in Cine 466



Animation Emphasis Electives for Cinema AND Non-Cinema Majors (3 units each)


Cine 361 Drawing for Animation (fall) Take with Animation 1

Cine 364 Animation Pre-Production (spring) Story & visual development. Take with Animation 2

Cine 500 Character Animation (fall) Character development and acting studies

Cine 590 Animation Practicum (summer) Hands-on, pre-professional projects

Cine 660 Beginning 3D Computer Animation (spring) Beginning course in 3D using Maya

Cine 661 Intermediate 3D Computer Animation (fall) Intermediate course in 3D using Maya

Cine 662 Advanced 3D Computer Animation (spring) Advanced course in 3D using Maya



Animation Advisor


Martha Gorzycki office: FA 335 tel: 338-1879 gorzycki@sfsu.edu