The Animated Feature and Graphic Novel Workshop

2025 Syllabus, Online Brochure Version (Partial)

*** Content and order of syllabus will be highly customized to individual needs and will depend on participant project readiness.

*** Syllabus subject to change before First Session commences.

PHASE 1 : Solid Foundations

Aug 30 - Oct 12

Session 1

August 30th, Saturday, 2:30pm

“How This Workshop Works”

• Participant and Project Introductions

• Overview on Workshop curriculum

• Introducing Our Workshop Process

• Ways to ideate

• Commence the "One Sheet"

• Practices for Writing and Strategies for Creative Blocks

  
  

Session 2

September 7th, Sunday, 2:30pm

“Outline Phase / Finding your Unique Process”

• One Sheet Share

• Now for : “The Detailed Outline”

• “Fueling and Honing”

• "The Importance of Taste, Part 1 : The Quality of an Idea"

• "The Director's Box"
  
  

Session 3

September 14th, Sunday, 2:30pm

“Writing the Extended Outline/Treatment”

• Breaking Down Acts

• Breaking Down Sequences

• Dialogue : "Collecting Words : The Emotional Lexicon of a Character"

• Lock in on Outcome Objectives

  
  

— No Session Week, Office Hours Sunday —

Session 4

September 28th, Sun

“How to Begin Writing Your Script”

• Set up : Program, Formatting, Everything you Need to Know

• How to Improve in Writing : Pros, Rhythm, Syntax, Dialogue, Subtext, Descriptions, Structure

• Commence Act 1 Scriptment

Session 5

October 5th, Sun

“Art Direction and The Importance of Taste, Part 2”

• Peripheral and Secondary Project Design : Title Logo, Poster, Digital Media, and the importance of Graphic Design

• Character Design and the Ensemble

• Composition and Execution, Part 1

• Commence Act 2 Scriptment

Session 6

October 12th, Sun

“All About Execution”

• Composition and Execution Part 2 : Drawing, Rendering, and the Final Look

• Environment Design

• Commence Act 3 Scriptment

— No Session Week, Office Hours Sunday —

PHASE 2: Visual Development For Production

Oct 26 - Dec 7

Session 7

October 26 :  “Platforms and Your Project’s Brand Identity”

• Look of Picture Commence

• Act 1 "Scriptment to Script" Due

Session 8

November 2 : “Composition and Cinematography” “Brand Identity Part 2: Release Strategy”

• Animated Films vs Graphic Novels

• Act 2 "Scriptment to Script" Due

Session 9 [MIDPOINT]

November 9 : “Midpoint Check In”  Mercury Retrograde Revisions Commence

• Act 3 "Scriptment to Script" Due

• Beginning Revisions; The First Layer

• Putting together the WIP Rough Draft

— No Session Week, Office Hours Sunday —

Session 10 

November 23 : [Mercury Rx] “Pre-First Draft Revision Mode”

• Second Layer of Revisions

• The Energetics and Technicalities of Fixing Things and Making Them “Better”

Session 11

November 30 : [Mercury Rx Ends] “Finalizing Revisions”

• Beginning Production on Storyboards (Animated Feature)

• Beginning Production on First Chapter (Graphic Novel)

Session 12

December 7 : First Draft of Script Toolbox Deadline

• Storyboards Continued, Feedback (Animated Feature)

• First Chapter Continued, Feedback (Graphic Novel)

— Winter Holiday Break, No Sessions Until New Year, First Draft of Script Grace Period —

PHASE 3 : Putting It All Together, Preparing for Next Steps

Jan 4 - Jan 25

Session 13

Jan 4 : Focus: First Draft of Script Final Deadline

• Script Reflections

• Storyboards or First Chapters, Continued

Session 14

Jan 11 : Focus: Production

• First 5 Minutes Storyboards Due (Animated Feature)

• First 1st Chapter Due (Graphic Novel)

• Commence Animatic : After Effects, Premiere (Animated Feature)

Session 15

Jan 18 : Putting It All Together + Finishing Touches

• First Draft of Package Due

• Continuing Animatic : Editing and Sound (Animated Feature)

• Packaging, Production, Marketing

Session 16

Jan 25 : Final Class

• Final First-5 minutes Animatic Due (Animated Feature)

• Participant Project Show and Tell

• Reflections

• Final Touches + Next Steps

• Send Off!

Register for the Workshop

Back to Workshop Page