Year One
Our First Year
The first year of the program is devoted to learning the principles of making a traditional hand-done, animated film.
FALL QUARTER
- FTV 481A - Introduction to Animation (5 units)
- FTV 481B - Writing for Animation ( 4-8 units)
- FTV 484A - Visual Thinking and Organization for Animation /Life Drawing (4 units)
Recommended elective:
If you have completed 181A/B/C (Academic Year) and have finished your first film as an undergraduate, you can enroll in second year curriculum, but will need to take Seminar in the Animated Film (209D) during the winter quarter.
WINTER QUARTER
- FTV 481C - Animation Workshop (8 units)
- FTV 209D - Seminar in the Animated Film (4 units)
- FTV 484B - Visual Thinking and Organization for Animation/Life Drawing (4 units)
Recommended electives (may be restricted to advanced students):
- FTV 152C - Digital Audio Postproduction (4 units)
- FTV 188A Stop Motion Workshop (4 units)
- FTV 482B - Advanced Animation / Character Animation (4 units)
Falling Lizard Weekend is a traditional Workshop event that occurs in late January. For more details, please visit our Events
SPRING QUARTER
- FTV 481C - Animation Workshop (8 units)
Recommended electives:
- FTV 178 (4 units) For additional units if needed while working on your 181C film
- FTV 122N - History of Animation in America (4 units)
- FTV 188A Stop Motion Workshop (4 units)
- FTV 485 - Legal Issues in Animation (offered every other year) (4 units)
- FTV 152C – Digital Audio Postproduction (4 units)
Year TWO
Our Second Year
The second year is devoted to creating computer animation; the film may be 2D, 3D, or a combination.
FALL QUARTER
- FTV 489A - Digital Animation Workshop (4-8 units)
Recommended electives:
- FTV 483A - Advanced Computer Animation (Maya) (4-8 units) (required for 3D/Maya film)
- FTV 298A - Visual Development for Animation (Vis-Dev)
- FTV 488B - Layout (4 units)
- FTV 484A - Visual Thinking and Organization for Animation (4 units)
- FTV 482B - Advanced Animation: Writing for the TV Series (offered every other year) (4 units)
- FTV 152C - Digital Audio Postproduction (4 units)
- Theater C446A - Art & Process of Entertainment Design (Imagineering) (4 units)
WINTER QUARTER
- FTV 489B - Digital Animation Workshop (4-8 units)
- FTV 488B – Interactive Animation (degree requirement; 2nd or 3rd yr)
- FTV 483B – Advanced Computer Animation (Maya) (4-8 units) (required only if doing a 3D/Maya film)
Recommended electives:
- FTV 482B - Advanced Animation (Character Animation) (4 units)
- FTV 298A - Stop Motion Workshop (4 units)
- FTV 484B - Visual Thinking and Organization for Animation (4 units)
- Theater C446B - Art & Process of Entertainment Design (Imagineering)
Outside requirements:
The required courses outside of animation—one approved Directing course and one approved CMS graduate seminar—can be taken any quarter, as time permits.
- FTV 246 - Issues in Electronic Culture is a popular choice.
Falling Lizard Weekend is a traditional Workshop event that occurs in late January. For more details, please visit our Events
SPRING QUARTER
- FTV 489C - Digital Animation Workshop (4-8 units)
- FTV 483C - Advanced Computer Animation Maya (4-8 units) (required only if doing a 3D/Maya film)
Recommended electives:
- FTV 122N - History of Animation in America
- FTV 188A Stop Motion Workshop (4 units)
- FTV 485 - Legal Issues in Animation (4 units) (offered every other year)
- FTV 152C - Digital Audio Postproduction (4 units)
- # ?? - Acting for the Non-Actor
Year Three
Our Third Year
Most significantly, the student forms a Thesis Committee and begins production on their thesis film. Every thesis is a culmination that showcases the student’s creativity as a filmmaker.
FALL QUARTER
- FTV 596F - Thesis Production / Independent study (4-12 units)
Recommended electives:
- FTV 298A Thesis Animatic Workshop (2 -4 units)
- FTV 484A - Visual Thinking and Organization for Animation (4 units)
- FTV 208A - Film Structure
Outside requirements:
The required courses outside of animation (one approved directing course and one approved CMS graduate seminar) can be taken any quarter, as time permits – if you haven’t yet completed them, do so now . DO NOT wait until your final quarter.
WINTER QUARTER
- FTV 596F - Thesis Production / independent study (4-12 units)
Recommended electives:
- FTV 188A Stop Motion Workshop (4 units)
- FTV 488B - Interactive Animation (4-8 units) (required)
- FTV 482B - Advanced Animation / Character Animation (4 units)
- FTV 484B - Visual Thinking and Organization for Animation (4 units)
- FTV 246 - Issues in Electronic Culture (fulfills CMS)
Falling Lizard Weekend is a traditional Workshop event that occurs in late January. For more details, please visit our Events
SPRING QUARTER
- FTV 596F - Thesis Production / Independent Study (4-12 units)
Recommended electives:
- FTV 188A Stop Motion Workshop (4 units)
- FTV 485 - Legal Issues in Animation (S23, TBD) (4 units)
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
A minimum total of 72 units (18 classes) is required for the degree.
At least 5 graduate-numbered courses (200, 400, 500 Level) are required.
The minimum course load to remain a full-time student is 12 units per quarter.
Students must maintain a B average GPA or above.