Flash is a multimedia software package, designed and optimized for the web, used to create web environments, animation, and entire webpages.
Flash includes an intuitive time frame format as well as layers (in the sense of Photoshop layers).

As an animation tool, Flash has many advantages over simple GIF animation.
Foremost is the ability to "tween" (the software fills in and smooths inbetween frames) and the ability to manage much larger files, handling them with a running download technology called "streaming".

Flash can also incorporate sound and interactivity.

Your flash animations will be visual stories based on a theme.

Be an informed consumer of media! FIGHT BACK WITH INTELLIGENCE! Dont be a vidiot!

C h e c k o u t t h e A D B U S T E R S s i t e




First, storyboard your animation on paper - mapping out movements, timelines, & any dialogue. This will give you an idea of what will be involved in making your short before you get to the software.
Second, start learning how to use Flash. Utilize on-line tutorials, the basics covered with Flash's own tutorials, and b0nking. Start building your animation, which will be included in your final webfolio.
Recommended Tute Sites

Flashkit
Webmonkey
Cybermeister Tutes
Tableau Flash Tutorials
Does
ART
imitate
LIFE?
Does
LIFE
imitate
ART?
Does media reflect the needs and desires of society?
Does media influence
us and determine what we desire?

1.Choose an aspect of consumer culture on which you wish to comment.
          » This could be:
          »a product
          » a food
          » a company
          »a television program
          »a fictional character or a mascot
          »an advertising campaign
2.Conceive a storyline in which you subvert or jam the culture.
              In other words, tear the idea apart with a wickedly ironic story.
3.Storyboard someone else's animation.
         Browse animations in the Hotwired website. Choose an animation you really admire and storyboard it using the sheet provided in class. Be sure to complete both sides of the sheet.
4.Storyboard your own idea.
         »Break the storyline into a board of frames.
           »Each frame represents a scene in the story.
           »You must have at least six scenes in total.
           »Draw, on paper, a sketch for each of the six scenes.
           »Complete the back of the sheet as well. Please be detailed.
           »You must turn this drawn/written storyboard in for approval.
           »Do this before you begin working with the Flash software.

5. Begin by learning the basics of Flash. Work through the lessons in the Flash help                    menu, and use the tutorial sites listed above.
6.Now using your skills, create your animation.
         »It must have a running time of at least one minute.
           »A variety of camera changes, viewpoints and locales should be used.
           »Tweening and stop-frame animation must be used.
           »You must demonstrate the use of motion guides.
           »Use separate layers for different elements. The more layers, the more flexible your animation.

Some examples from past classes:

Component

»storyboard of another artist's animation on paper
»storyboard of your own animation on paper
»originality of idea - based on culture jamming / subvertising
»effective use of viewpoints and scene changes
»effective use of background and separate object layers
»effective use of motion and shape tweening
»effective use of motion guides
»effective use of keyframe and oscillating animation

Marks

»10
»10
»05
»10
»10
»05
»05
»05

Total
60