Michael Boas Headshot

Michael Boas

Visiting Lecturer

School of Film and Animation
College of Art and Design
mxbpph@rit.edu
585-496-4532
Office Hours
Zoom by appointment https://rit.zoom.us/j/2389102845 Meeting ID: 238 910 2845
Office Location
GAN-2250

Michael Boas

Visiting Lecturer

School of Film and Animation
College of Art and Design

Bio

Mike Boas has been making movies in Rochester, NY, since 1998. His background is in art and animation, but also works as live action editor and producer. Through his company, Mad Dog Movies, he has produced 2D cartoon animation and motion graphics for Animatus Studio, END Films, Red Shirt Productions, Wood Entertainment, and many others. His animation work has appeared in features, short films, advertisements, DVD/Blu-ray featurettes, industrial films, and at trade shows and film festivals. Feature credits include AMERICAN GRINDHOUSE, THAT GUY DICK MILLER (each SXSW premieres) and QUENTIN TARANTINO: THE FIRST EIGHT. He animated the intro to the Rondo Award winning MEDIEVAL TIMES: THE MAKING OF ARMY OF DARKNESS. He contributed hand-drawn animation for the feature BUBBLE GIRL and assisted on stop-motion effects work for JOHNNY GRUESOME and WIDOW'S POINT. His short film H.P. LOVECRAFT'S THE OTHER GODS has played in festivals on four continents. Boas designed and animated the Apex Award winning HELP MIKEY MAKE IT OUT, a fire safety game for kids, produced by Animatus Studio for the Prevention 1st nonprofit. In the world of live action, Boas acted as editor and first assistant director on the experimental feature 3.14, which involved shooting in California's Death Valley.  For the drama HERO OF THE UNDERWORLD, Boas was producer, co-editor, and first A.D. Boas has taught students of all ages at Animatus Studio's Animation Workshop and at several Maker Faires. Boas is on the executive board for the Rochester Association for Film Arts and Sciences and is co-runner of the Rochester Writers Workshop.

mxbpph@rit.edu
585-496-4532
Personal Links
Personal Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Areas of Expertise
Animation
2D Animation
Film Production

Currently Teaching

SOFA-108
Drawing For Animation
3 Credits
This course focuses on the mechanics of motion as applied to animated characters, both human and non-human. Working directly from a live model, costumed and nude, and also employing visualization techniques, students will apply figure-drawing skills along with gesture drawing, focusing on the correct representation of weight, energy and force in sequential poses. Specific attention is paid to improving drawing skills in order to create stronger storytelling poses for animated properties. A variety of drawn animation examples will be screened in class.
SOFA-121
Animation I
3 Credits
This class will introduce students to the gamut of animation thinking and making through classroom instruction and hands-on practical experience. Lecture and readings will emphasize the process, theory and practice of animated filmmaking with extensive film screenings to illustrate each technique and related aesthetics. Hands-on supervised studio sessions will guide students to an intuitive understanding of the process of producing animation and students will use this understanding to analyze various animated works. Each student will develop their personal vision through assigned projects utilizing the material discussed in class. **This course has a facilities fee for Non-SOFA students.**
SOFA-217
Animation Production Workshop I
4 Credits
This course will provide the first practical experience of building a complete animated film from conception to finish. Students will apply their knowledge within the greater context of an animation production pipeline. Weekly workshops are focused on helping students plan, develop, and execute their work with regular milestones and deadlines. Students will practice time-management and build skills to adhere to deadlines, and will present their completed films to the RIT community.
SOFA-221
After Effects for Animators
3 Credits
This course will teach students the basics of Adobe After Effects. Students will learn production theory as well as gain practical experience in 2.5 D animation production.
SOFA-228
Animation Scriptwriting and Storyboard
3 Credits
This course concentrates on the structures of temporal organization for the screen in all animated productions. Particular attention is paid to the structures of scriptwriting and the layout of movements and visual composition via editing into storyboards. Various individual written script projects will be required of the student, leading to a final production script for an animated film that will be fully storyboarded and formatted. Particular attention will be paid to the visual storytelling aspects of converting a written script. Layouts from the production will also be developed.
SOFA-323
2D Animation II: Performance
3 Credits
This course will focus on the continued development of students’ skills in the two-dimension animation medium, using computer software. As an intermediate course, students will build on the skills they accrued as well as learn new, advanced techniques. A variety of examples of 2D computer animation will be screened in class.
SOFA-599
SOFA Independent Study
1 - 6 Credits
SOFA Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should propose a course of study or project with clearly defined deliverables. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. Student must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to apply.
SOFA-799
Film and Animation Graduate Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
Film and Animation Graduate Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should propose a course of study or project with clearly defined deliverables. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. Student must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to apply.

Featured Work