Physics of Animation (Art/Physics 123)

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 [phone]
• Office Hours
• Mon. 200-300pm Wed., 100-200pm
• and also available by appointment.
• E-mail algarcia_at_algarcia.org
• WWW www.algarcia.org
• Course website
• http//artphysics123.pbworks.com

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
  e-mail (algarcia_at_algarcia.org) 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 dont wait set up
  your blog tonight so you dont forget.

13
Class Participation

• During lecture Ill ask simple questions.
• Next time Ill demonstrate the clicker system
  well use in class.
• Participation counts towards your grade.
• Attending class is optional but if you dont
  attend, you cant participate.
• Answering quiz questions correctly counts for
  extra participation points.

14
Cheating

• Dont.

15
Special Topics

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

16
Special Announcement

• For Animation / Illustration students only
• A/I Program General Meeting
• September 3rd (Thurs.), 530 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
  thats 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 its unprecedented, there will likely be
  some rough spots.
• Ill 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 LecturePhysics in Animation,The Big Picture

• By Wednesday
• Visit the course website artphysics123.pbworks.c
  om
• Read the full course description, information on
  grading, and other syllabus items