60-406 Advanced ETB: The Animated Short

10 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This course guides students through the complete process of creating an original animated short film, from early concept to final screening. Beginning with ideation strategies, students progress through concept development, storyboarding, animatics, animation production, sound and post-production. Class sessions combine lectures, screenings, critiques, and in-class lab time, providing structured opportunities to experiment, share works-in-progress, and receive feedback. The course emphasizes project planning, creative problem-solving, and strategies for working within limitations and tight deadlines. Students may work in any technique or genre, with projects ranging from narrative to abstract. Weekly screenings of diverse animated shorts, accompanied by discussions, will provide context and inspiration throughout the semester. By the end of the course, each student will have completed a 90-second film that demonstrates both personal voice and technical craft.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Spring 2027, Spring 2026

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