Computer Animation: Student Animation Showcase

Part of the Art Is… series, Computer Animation: Student Animation Showcase features the work of students (grades 9-12) at Northwestern Regional High School in Winsted, Connecticut, who are using the popular digital animation software packages Maya and Lightwave to take simple shapes, such as polygons, and combine them to create familiar objects and scenes. Working from storyboards, students can add lighting, multiple angles, and more in their animated productions, some of which (including a past international award winner) are featured here. Computer animation allows the creator complete control--over images, actors, shots, script--and while it might sound like a megalomaniac's dream, it can also serve as a cost-effective testing ground for artists' new ideas. Unfortunately, not much time is spent on the details of building the images from polygons, and none of the creators are interviewed, so this should only be considered for purchase by those who already own the previous volume in the series, Computer Animation (VL-3/00). Aud: H, P. (C. Block)