-
Presentation
Presentation
This curricular unit aims to develop analytical, interpretative, and narrative construction skills within the field of cinematic language applied to animated film. Through the screening, analysis, and critical discussion of audiovisual works, students are introduced to fundamental principles of editing, composition, framing, and rhythm, thereby consolidating a critical understanding of narrative visual content. In conjunction with this theoretical and analytical component, students apply the knowledge acquired through practical exercises in storyboard and animatic development, directed towards the conception and planning of short mixed-technique animated films. Particular emphasis is placed on the construction of audiovisual storytelling, with a focus on point of view, shot organisation, continuity, pacing, and communicative clarity as essential elements in the cinematic development of a film.
-
Class from course
Class from course
-
Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Bachelor | Semestral | 4
-
Year | Nature | Language
Year | Nature | Language
1 | Mandatory | Português
-
Code
Code
ULHT613-17031
-
Prerequisites and corequisites
Prerequisites and corequisites
Not applicable
-
Professional Internship
Professional Internship
Não
-
Syllabus
Syllabus
Introduction to the fundamentals of cinematic language applied to the construction of storyboards in cinema and animated film, considering the storyboard and the animatic as essential pre-production tools for short films, feature films, and series. Study of image construction, framing, diegetic and non-diegetic space, the shot, and the sequence. Introduction to basic notions of continuity, editing, visual rhythm, and the construction of point of view. Identification and application of different shot types, as well as their narrative and expressive functions. Use of storyboard, layout, and animatic as fundamental tools for visual planning in animated film. Introduction to the software "Adobe Photoshop", "Krita", and "Adobe Premiere", to be used in the development of exercises throughout the semester.
-
Objectives
Objectives
The curricular unit aims to develop fundamental knowledge of cinematic language and its specific application to animated film, introducing students to the processes of conceiving, planning, and structuring a short film through storyboard, layout, and animatic development. By the end of the semester, students should be able to: / Critically analyse the essential components of an animated short film; / Formulate an informed assessment of a film's cinematic construction, taking into account its technical, formal, and conceptual dimensions; / Define strategies for developing an original concept from visual, textual, or narrative elements, such as a drawing, a photograph, or a written text; / Develop a storyboard and an animatic capable of communicating original narrative and visual concepts with clarity and coherence; / Conceive a visual strategy appropriate to a specific concept, articulating its technical application with the narrative and expressive objectives of the project.
-
Teaching methodologies
Teaching methodologies
The first classes focus on the analysis of short narrative texts and their graphic adaptation into storyboards, introducing students to different shot types and to their expressive possibilities in the process of converting text into sequential images. In the second half of the semester, students are supervised in the conception and development of a storyboard, which is subsequently converted into an animatic layout for an animated short film, constituting the main assessed project. During this period, masterclasses focused on specific technical methodologies will also be presented, alongside comparative examples of storyboard, animatic, and final animation in both live-action and animated film productions, including the analysis of behind-the-scenes processes.
-
References
References
Bacher, H. P. (2008). Dream worlds: Production design for animation. Focal Press. Brown, B. (2025). Visual storytelling for filmmakers. Routledge. Dancyger, K. (2026). The technique of film and video editing: History, theory, and practice (7th ed.). Routledge. Ghertner, E. (2010). Layout and composition for animation. Focal Press. Glebas, F. (2026). Directing the story: Professional storytelling and storyboarding for animation, comics and live action (2nd ed.). CRC Press. Hu, C. (2026). Mastering storyboarding: Professional techniques for visual storytelling. CRC Press. Katz, S. D. (1991). Film directing shot by shot: Visualizing from concept to screen. Michael Wiese Productions. Pearlman, K. (2025). Cutting rhythms: Creative film editing (3rd ed.). Routledge. Whitaker, H., Halas, J., & Sito, T. (2009). Timing for animation (2nd ed.). Focal Press.
-
Assessment
Assessment
A avaliação da unidade curricular é contínua e resulta da média ponderada das duas componentes lecionadas pelos docentes da UC: Storyboard/Layout, com peso de 50%, e Animatic Layout Sonorizado, com peso de 50%.
Na componente de Storyboard/Layout, a avaliação incide sobre os exercícios práticos desenvolvidos ao longo da primeira metade do semestre, considerando a aplicação dos conteúdos lecionados, a clareza narrativa, a adequação dos enquadramentos, a continuidade visual, a progressão do trabalho, a assiduidade, o cumprimento das tarefas propostas e o envolvimento no acompanhamento tutorial. Esta componente inclui dois trabalhos práticos de storyboard: o primeiro, desenvolvido a partir de um pequeno texto/argumento cedido pelo docente, com peso de 25% da nota desta componente; o segundo, desenvolvido a partir de um pequeno conto igualmente cedido pelo docente, com peso de 75% da nota desta componente.
Na componente de Animatic Layout Sonorizado, a avaliação incide sobre a capacidade de transformar o material de um dos exercícios desenvolvidos em storyboard num animatic claro, ritmado e comunicante, considerando a estrutura narrativa, a duração dos planos, a montagem, a progressão visual, a legibilidade da ação, a relação entre imagem e tempo, o cumprimento das tarefas propostas e o envolvimento no acompanhamento tutorial. O animatic layout sonorizado corresponde a 60% da nota desta componente, sendo os restantes 40% atribuídos à participação ativa do estudante em regime de avaliação contínua, incluindo assiduidade, acompanhamento regular do projeto, cumprimento das etapas de trabalho e capacidade de responder criticamente ao feedback recebido.
A nota final da unidade curricular resulta da média ponderada das duas componentes: 50% Storyboard/Layout e 50% Animatic Layout Sonorizado. A nota mínima de aprovação é de 10 valores.
Os estudantes que obtenham uma classificação final inferior a 10 valores em avaliação contínua são admitidos a exame. O exame consiste na melhoria, reformulação e/ou conclusão dos exercícios desenvolvidos ao longo do semestre, de acordo com as indicações específicas fornecidas pelos docentes da UC. Em exame, serão avaliados os mesmos objetivos e competências previstos para a avaliação contínua, nomeadamente a clareza narrativa, a coerência visual, a aplicação dos princípios de linguagem cinematográfica, a qualidade do storyboard/layout e/ou do animatic, e a capacidade de integrar as correções propostas durante o semestre.
Descrição
Data limite
Ponderação
Exercícios práticos de Storyboard/Layout, considerando a assiduidade, o cumprimento das tarefas propostas e o envolvimento do estudante no acompanhamento tutorial e no desenvolvimento dos projetos.
a definir
50%
Exercício de Animatic Layout sonorizado, considerando a assiduidade, o cumprimento das tarefas propostas e o envolvimento do estudante no acompanhamento tutorial e no desenvolvimento do projeto.
01-06-2027
50%
-
Mobility
Mobility
No
