Class Evaluation

1. Why did you take this class?
I took this class because I wanted to know how animated movies came to be. I've always been curious and I wanted to see it in depth and also work with it a little on my own. I know I could have just used the power of good old Google to discover how animation works, but I wanted to learn it with my own grubby little paws. I understand with action more than I do words, and so taking a class all about my curiosity really....piqued my curiosity.

2. In general, what did you like most about this class?
In general, the thing I liked most about this class was learning all the new programs. I know Audacity can help me in the future in some way or another, as will Premiere or Photoshop. Learning Harmony will hopefully assist me if I ever find a free animating program I might want to use because I will have a basic understanding of one animating program. I also enjoyed learning Maya, even if it was rough because I was always wanting to know how 3D animation worked.

3. In general, what did you like least about this class?
In general, I least liked the 3D animation. It was cool to learn about and see what work was put into making an animation like it but I did not enjoy making my own animations through the medium. Rigs are very, very complicated and make me want to cry and the lighting is touchy. Plus it is hard to create workable backgrounds and bring new elements in or take old elements out.

4. What was your most favorite project and why?
Although I disliked 3D, my favorite project was the 3D Short. I liked it the most because I found a simple little rig that I fell in love with and then was able to create a story with. It was also the one where I experimented most with sound and music and modeling, and the one where I finally grasped key-frames semi-properly.

5. What was your least favorite project and why?
My least favorite project was the final project. I had issues coming up with a story that followed all the requirements, and even then didn't meet all of them. I also had spent a while out of Harmony so I forgot a lot and slowed down my progress on the project. The project also frustrated me in general because I had a vision for it that didn't play out properly, due to having to readjust and still not being able to meet time constraints.

6. Discuss the overall effectiveness of the instructor (for example: preparation, availability, interest, content knowledge, expectations, etc.).
I think Miss Licata was a very effective instructor. She taught me a lot of things I did not know and wanted to know. She was a good mix of strict yet funny and tolerated the days where I barely got work done because my focus was nonexistent. It was also nice to have an "art" teacher who didn't play favorites for once, she gave honest opinions and critiques that helped out my art. She expected us to take what we learned and turn it into something decent that followed criteria, but not something that met professional levels.

7. What are the most valuable things you learned in the class?
I learned a lot about time management. With deadlines for days, I had to work out a schedule that wouldn't result in anything being handed in late. I also learned how to stay focused on one goal for an extended period of time, which could benefit me in the future with journalism or theatre.

8. Do you feel that this class will help you achieve your future academic or career goals? How or why (or why not)?
I feel this class has helped me to build ethics that will help me achieve my future career goals. I have built a good time management mindset and a better focus in this class so I feel those will help me with my future deadlines and projects in whatever job I end up in.

9. How could this class be improved?
I feel like there could be more essays because there are so many weekends that take away blogs.

10. What would you tell incoming students to help them be more prepared for the class?
I would tell them to be organized and to have a good sense of time management or they will suffer.

11. Additional Comments:
Tim Burton is my dad.