Department of Visual & Media Arts
Animation and Motion Media (BA, BFA)
Sam Perzanowski '09 is a user interface artist
Animation major Sam Perzanowski '09 works for a company that is part of Warner Bros. creating game menus. (Filmed and edited by Emerson College students.)
The specialization in Animation and Motion Media focuses on computer animation, film animation, motion graphics, visual effects, and compositing techniques. Students can take a broad range of courses and will produce original work in digital 2D animation, 3D modeling and animation, and frame-by-frame film animation. Students will be more prepared for careers in the movie, gaming, and television industries. Students pursuing an Animation and Motion Media specialization are encouraged to look into the ProArts Consortium at www.proarts.org.
Credits: 44 for BA, 60 for BFA (both degrees also include 8 additional upper-level liberal arts credits)
I. Visual and Media Arts Foundations (12 credits)
The Visual and Media Arts Foundations offer students a broad theoretical, historical, and practical introduction to the visual and media arts.
Required Courses
| VM 100 | History of Media Arts I |
| VM 101 | History of Media Arts II |
one of the Following:
| VM 102 | Dimensions of Creativity |
| VM 120 | Foundations in Visual and Media Arts Production |
II. Introduction to Disciplines (16 credits minimum)
At the Introduction to Disciplines level, students explore one or more of the department’s main discipline areas.
Required Courses
| VM 200 | Media Criticism and Theory |
At least one of the following:
| VM 220 | Writing the Short Subject* |
| VM 221 | Writing the Feature Film |
| VM 222 | Writing for Television |
*Writing the Short Subject is the preferred course.
At least one of the following:
| VM 204 | Topics in Media Arts: Practice |
| VM 230 | Introduction to Film Production |
| VM 231 | Intermediate Film Production |
| VM 240 | Introduction to Video Field Production |
| VM 241 | Introduction to Studio Television Production |
| VM 250 | Introduction to Sound Principles and Audio Production |
| VM 251 | Location Recording |
| VM 260 | Introduction to Interactive Media |
| VM 331 | Topics in Visual and Media Arts: Practice |
| VM 364 | 3D Computer Gaming |
III. Specialization
Required Courses
| VM 261 | Computer Animation |
| VM 303 | Studies in Digital Media and Culture |
| VM 363 | Advanced Computer Animation |
At least one of the following:
| VM 360 | Film Animation |
| VM 362 | Motion Graphics |
| VM 470 | Advanced New Media Projects |
At least one of the following:
| VM 402 | Seminar in Media Arts Topics |
| VM 409 | Seminar in Western Art |
| VM 410 | Seminar in Non-Western Art |
In addition to the General Education and major requirements, all students are required to complete at least two courses at the 300 or 400 level from the following Liberal Arts areas:
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Recommended Electives
| VM 262 | Drawing |
| VM 375 | Advanced Interactive Media |
| VM 401 | Aesthetics and History of New Media |
| VM 463 | Graphic Design for Digital Media |
| VM 464 | Programming for Digital Media |
Advanced Visual and Media Arts Workshop
Students may apply to take the Advanced Visual and Media Arts Workshop. Two semesters are mandatory for BFA. Optional for BA.
For specific course prerequisites, please consult the Undergraduate Catalogue.
Emerson College classmates Alan Schoolcraft '95 and Brent Simons ’97 wrote the screenplay for the #1 movie in North America, Megamind. The Dreamworks film made $43.7 million at the box office in the first weekend.
