Virtual Animation Merit Badge

What:   This merit badge class will be a survey animation art, techniques, history and careers. We will strive to understand the different forms of animation (CGI, Stop Motion, Cel, and Flash) and the basic skills that underlie them all (character design, thumbnails, storyboards, scripts, sound design and animation itself). Scouts are encouraged to share work and will be required to do research. This is a fun-filled topic, but the expectations are that you take it seriously. 

 Meet your Counselor - Representing Troop 6 of Barrington, RI, Jack Siegel has more than 20 years' experience writing and producing animation for television, commercials, digital and interactive platforms. He has worked at studios such as Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Warner Bros. Animation and Hasbro; and on many shows including, Phantom Investigators, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Hi Hi PuffyAmiYumi and Ben 10.  

WHO: Open to all Scouts BSA members.

HOW:  This Merit Badge will be taught in a virtual classroom. The class has a capacity of 20 Scouts. Small classroom size provides all students with the opportunity to share and interact with the counselors and other Scouts. Scouts should be prepared to be challenged and to join the conversation! Participants who do not engage with the class may not receive credit for the badge. Scouts must be prompt for all badge sessions. Late participants may not receive credit for all requirements. Scouts must use a device with video to access this class.

Before beginning work on any merit badge, scouts are to have a discussion with their unit leader regarding the specific badge and counselor.

WHEN: This class will be held virtually over three sessions:

May 6, 2020 7:00PM-9:00PM

May 13, 2020 7:00PM-9:00PM

May 20, 2020 7:00PM-9:00PM

Scouts must attend all three sessions to complete the offered requirements.

After registering, Scouts will receive a link and login information via email the day of the scheduled class. Scouts will also receive instructor details that can be used to connect to the counselor on Scoutbook. This assures that completed requirements are easily recorded. 

PREREQUISITES:  None

Requirements completed in class: All requirements

Requirements completed as homework: Some assignments and research assigned between sessions

Suggested supplies/prep-work for students: Please view these examples of early webtoons written, directed and produced (even voiced) by a young Jack, that demonstrate each class topic and using desktop tools available to all. We will be discussing elements of these examples in class:  

Happy Hiro's Used Mecha Warehouse (Web Premiere Toons) 

Flash Animation - Evil Awards