Experimental Animation

A Unique Opportunity To Experience Different Realms

The new class will pull from some of Patterson’s famous works.

If you’re ready to discover how your creative mind works and create productions that cross over into realms you haven’t imagined, then get ready to stretch the boundaries of your work this fall with a combination of music and animation.

CTAN-495A: Experimental Animation, Section 17907D, is a 2-credit elective course led by Adjunct Faculty Mike Patterson, which will expose students to an array of exciting contemporary work. Some technical skills will be covered to facilitate editing, shooting, and animation, and beginning with a short project and moving into larger clips, students will design imagery to music tracks, participate in workshops, work one on one, and hear from guest lecturers such as professional digital artists, record label commissioners, and directors.

“I want the class to look at this area of filmmaking from many angles; both from artistic issues to the practical aspects of production,” said Patterson, whose experience as a director will help identify and focus originality and creative strengths.

“The most empowering thing someone can say to you in a professional situation is, ‘I want you to do what you do.’ We need to look at style as the artist’s signature—what makes us creatively unique,” he added.

An experimental film artist and commercial film director specializing in TV spots and music videos, Patterson began his career in music videos in 1985 by animating the epic MTV hit Take On Me for A-Ha. Going on to direct award-winning spots for Nestle, NBC, FOX, General Mills and Yoplait, as well as receiving Clios for Intel and Reebok, Patterson has worked extensively with 2D compositing and 3D animation. In addition, his film Commuter was added into MoMA’s permanent collection in 2006.

“Being free from marketing an idea and focusing on pure creativity will cause the students to create work they’re passionate about,” said Patterson, who admits that his own work, like his ‘80’s hit video, was the result of “messing around creatively while at school.”

Citing examples of the latest works from today’s industry professionals, the class will also pull from Patterson’s other famous works including Suzanne Vega’s Luka, Sting’s Be Still My Beating Heart, Donald Fagen’s Tomorrow’s Girls, and Paula Abdul’s Opposites Attract, which won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video in 1990.  

“Helping students discover a concept or a style that’s original is my ultimate goal in the class,” Patterson added.

CTAN-495A Experimental Animation meets on Wednesday from 9am to Noon in Fall 2007. Open to non-majors with departmental permission. All students require d-clearance to register. Please contact: Daphne Sigismondi at 213-740-3986 .

Associated Person:

Daphne Sigismondi Mike Patterson