1. ANIM30261 3rd Year Story Lab Winter 2013 1
ANIM30261Storyboarding- Project DevelopmentWinter 2012
3rd Year Story Lab
Instructor: James R. Caswelljames.caswell1@sheridanc.on.ca
Office hours: TBA
Room A160.
Meetings may be arranged outside office hours. Please email for appointment.
Detailed Description
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to establish a personal artistic
vision that will direct their senior project in Year 4. Students are involved in conducting
independent research for the story concepts that will be the basis of the Senior Film Project they
develop in Year 4. Methodologies include a variety of location studies, interviews with subject
matter experts, development and collection of photo and video to support their individual artistic
voice. Products to be developed for their final portfolio submissions include a short essay,
sketches, concept art illustrating story arcs, drawings and a summary. Other components might
include set designs, story arc panels, character pages and short scripts. Students present a
summary of their project work before submission of the portfolio. Through interactive lecture,
discussion, independent research and portfolio development, students learn to generate a story
from initial concept to full portfolio development in preparation for the senior film project in
Year 4.
Course Critical Performance
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to design a comprehensive
portfolio that showcases a personal artistic expression, style, vision and effective problem-solving
through extensive research and in-depth development of a story concept.
Learning Outcomes
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
1. Evaluate a play, opera, ballet or cinematic film in terms of story and performance in the context
of their artistic vision.
2. Create a sketch journal of diverse observations of reference material that supports a focused
vision.
3. Generate an artist’s statement that incorporates research developed from a variety of
documented sources.
4. Utilize various research approaches to create component pieces of their portfolio.
5. Interview an expert in the subject under research, to assist in the development of story concept.
6. Develop an outline of a potential script.
7. Summarize their story through the development of selected visual story beats.

2. ANIM30261 3rd Year Story Lab Winter 2013 2
8. Synthesize material researched and developed into specific components to create a working
portfolio reflecting a focused vision.
9. Articulate their artistic vision clearly and succinctly in a presentation to peers.
10. Complete all deliverables in accordance with the deadlines provided.
11. Participate actively and constructively in critiques.
Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
Assignment 1: Story Experiments 30%
Assignment 2: Team Project Report 30%
Assignment 3: 4thYear Concept/Storyboard 30%
Assignment 4: “What’s Your Story So Far?” 10%
Total: 100%
No Textbook Required.
Recommended Reading List:
Levy, David B., Animation Development: From Pitch to Production, Allworth Press; 2009.
Murray, Joe. Creating Animated Cartoons with Character: A Guide to Developing and Producing Your
Own Series for TV, the Web, and Short Film
Sheridan, Sherri. Developing Digital Short Films. New Riders. 2004
3rd Year Story Lab: http://3rdyearstorylab.blogspot.com/
WEEK 1
LAB
Introduction Project Development:
The Story Thus Far: Assignments, Procedures and Expectations.
WEEK 2
LAB
Presentation Techniques/ Flexibility
Experiment #1: Rough Idea/ Work period.
Industry Research Group Selection.

3. ANIM30261 3rd Year Story Lab Winter 2013 3
WEEK 3
LAB
Experiment #1: Group 1 Presentation
WEEK 4
LAB
Experiment #1: Group 2 Presentation
WEEK 5
LAB
Work period.
WEEK 6
LAB
Experiment #2 Group 2 Presentation.
WEEK 7
LAB
Experiment #2: Group 1 Presentation
______________________________________________________________
READING WEEK
_______________________________________
WEEK 8
LAB
Prep 4th year Concept/Work Period.
WEEK 9
LAB
Research Projects Presentations Commence
4th year Concept Work Presentation Group#1
WEEK 10
LAB
Research Projects Continue
4th year Concept Work Presentation Group#2

4. ANIM30261 3rd Year Story Lab Winter 2013 4
WEEK 11
LAB
Research Projects Continue
4th Year Concept Work Period Refinement Group#1
WEEK 12
LAB
Research Projects Continue
4th Year Concept Work Period Refinement Group#2
WEEK 13
LAB
Portfolio Review Self Assessment Group #1
WEEK 14
LAB
Portfolio Review Self Assessment Group #2