1. Physics of Animation (Art/Physics 123)
Prof. Alejandro Garcia
Fall 2009
Class is fully enrolled and I am not allowed to add students. Sorry.

2. Contact Info
Office: Science Bldg. Room 245
Office Phone: (408)
Office Hours:
Mon. 2:00-3:00pm & Wed., 1:00-2:00pm
and also available by appointment.
WWW:
Course website:

3. Course Overview
Physics of Animation is an introduction to the principles and concepts of physics relevant to animation and special effects.
Who Should Take This Course?
Animation / Illustration majors (ideally concurrent with Art 114); Film majors; non-science majors interested in animation, special-effects, and physics.
Science and engineering majors will not find this course to be useful because they cover the same physics in their required courses.

4. Course Website
ArtPhysics123.pbworks.com

5. Prerequisites Physics of Animation is an Area R course
Course prerequisites are completion of core GE, satisfaction of WST, and upper division standing.
For students who begin continuous enrollment Fall 2005 or later, courses used to satisfy Areas R, S, and V must be taken from three separate SJSU departments or other distinct academic units.
Note that these prerequisites apply to any "SJSU Studies" course

6. Schedule
Visit the course website for the full schedule of lectures and assignments
Furlough dates (for this class only!):
Monday, September 14th (Out of town)
Monday, October 19th (Campus-wide furlough)
Wednesday, November 25th (Thanksgiving)

7. Grades Two Term Papers (125 points each) Homework (175 points)
Class Participation (25 points)
Final Exam (50 points)
There will also be several
opportunities for extra credit.
Points
Grade
500 – 401 A
400 – 301 B
300 – 201 C
200 – 101 D
100 – 0 F

8. Term Papers
Term Paper #1. The Laws of Physics in an Animation Universe (Due Oct. 14th)
Term Paper #2. Science Fact or Cinematic Fiction? (Due Nov. 25th)
The required length of each term paper is 1500 words, which is about 6 double-spaced typewritten pages (not counting images).

9. Homework Homework will be assigned periodically.
Assignments will be non-traditional, such as shooting video reference, analyzing video using tracking software, and creating stop-motion animation.
You will “turn in” your homework by uploading it to your personal blog.

10. First Homework Assignment
Your first assignment is to set up a personal blog for this course.
You may use any system you prefer but I recommend using Blogger, which I will be using (go to artphysics123.blogspot.com).
If you already have a personal blog then I strongly suggest that you set up a separate one for the course; in Blogger it's easy to manage multiple blogs.

11. First Homework Assignment
Please use your real name on the blog. It will also be helpful to me if you include a recognizable photo of yourself in your profile.
This course blog will mainly be used for posting your homework assignments but you can also post other comments. It's your blog.
You are encouraged to read each others blogs, especially if you give each other helpful comments and advice.
Can also post comments, advice, suggestions, etc. to the course blog.

12. First Homework Assignment
When your blog has been set up, send me an with a link to your blog.
This assignment is due by 8am on Monday, August 31st (week from today).
You have plenty of time but don’t wait; set up your blog tonight so you don’t forget.

13. Class Participation During lecture I’ll ask simple questions.
Next time I’ll demonstrate the clicker system we’ll use in class.
Participation counts towards your grade.
Attending class is optional but if you don’t attend, you can’t participate.
Answering quiz questions correctly counts for extra participation points.

14. Cheating
Don’t.

15. Special Topics Textbook / Supplies
No textbook. Need a digital camera that can shoot video for homework
Disabilities
Please contact me if you’ve any special needs.
Emergencies
If we need to leave the room, please take your things.

16. Special Announcement A/I Program General Meeting
For Animation / Illustration students only:
A/I Program General Meeting
September 3rd (Thurs.), 5:30 pm
Morris Dailey Auditorium (Tower Hall)
Mandatory Attendance

17. Demos Frequent demos to illustrate concepts. Welcome volunteers
Safety comes first
No magic tricks, just physics

18. Demo: Egg Throw
Throw a raw egg as fast as possible at a bedsheet that’s held loosely. X X X X
X (Hold here)

19. Final Warning
This is the first time that this kind of course has been taught. Anywhere.
Because it’s unprecedented, there will likely be some “rough spots.”
I’ll do my best to make the course as useful and interesting as possible.
If you decide to stay, I hope you enjoy it.

20. Next Lecture Physics in Animation, The Big Picture
By Wednesday:
Visit the course website artphysics123.pbworks.com
Read the full course description, information on grading, and other syllabus items