Dani Bowman’s Blu Star seminar series will feature the Love on The Spectrum star teaching the ins and outs of animation through a neurodivergent lens.
Read the course outline below:
Animation & Storytelling Workshop
(11 Weeks)
Instructor: Dani Bowman
Format: 11 Weeks | 1 Hour per Session | Virtual via Zoom
Week 1: Introduction to Animation & Storytelling
- Icebreaker: Favorite animated films & inspirations
- Overview of the animation industry & career paths
- Roadmap of the course: By the end, students will have a short animated scene or project pitch
- Introduction to tools (Storyboard software, animation programs like Toon Boom, Adobe Animate, etc.)
- Importance of storytelling in animation
Homework: Create a simple character profile and write a one-paragraph story idea.
Week 2: The Foundations of Storytelling
- Elements of a strong story (Three-Act Structure, character arcs)
- The importance of theme & message
- Writing a logline & elevator pitch
- Creating compelling characters (motivations, flaws, arcs)
Homework: Write a 3-5 sentence synopsis of a short animation idea.
Week 3: Visual Storytelling & Storyboarding
- Introduction to storyboarding & visual language
- How to frame shots for storytelling impact
- Understanding composition, perspective, and camera movement
- Basics of animatics
Homework: Create a simple storyboard with at least 6 panels for their short animation.
Week 4: Character Design & Expression
- Basics of character design (silhouettes, proportions, visual storytelling)
- Expressions & body language in animation
- Creating a character turnaround sheet
- The importance of appeal and exaggeration in animation
Homework: Design and sketch a character sheet with different expressions.
Week 5: The Principles of Animation
- The 12 Principles of Animation (Disney’s principles)
- Squash & stretch, anticipation, timing, and ease in/ease out
- Demonstrating motion & weight
- Simple exercises: Bouncing ball animation
Homework: Animate a simple bouncing ball sequence.
Week 6: Acting & Performance in Animation
- How to make characters feel alive
- The importance of reference footage
- Lip-syncing & facial animation
- Demonstrating emotion in animation
Homework: Choose an emotion and sketch 3 poses that convey that emotion.
Week 7: Scene Planning & Background Design
- Understanding layout and staging
- Perspective in background design
- Color theory & mood boards for animation
- How backgrounds influence the storytelling
Homework: Create a rough sketch of a background for their scene.
Week 8: Bringing It Together – Animating a Short Scene
- Planning an animated scene (blocking, keys, breakdowns)
- Rough animation techniques
- Clean-up & in-betweening basics
- Understanding animation timing
Homework: Create a rough keyframe animation of a short action (e.g., character waving or jumping).
Week 9: Post-Production & Sound Design
- Editing basics for animation
- The role of music & sound effects
- Adding dialogue & voice acting basics
- Sound syncing techniques
Homework: Choose a sound clip (provided) and match an animated movement to it.
Week 10: Finalizing & Preparing for Presentation
- How to polish animation: clean-up & finalizing
- Exporting & preparing animation for presentation
- Creating a compelling pitch for an animated short
- Guest speaker (if available)
Homework: Finish & refine the final animation or pitch deck.
Week 11: Showcase & Next Steps
- Presentation of students’ final animations/pitches
- Feedback session with Dani & peers
- Discussing next steps: film festivals, online platforms, portfolio building
- Fun closing activity and Q&A
