Amy Kravitz

Professor
Image
RISD faculty member  Amy Kravitz
BA, Harvard University
MFA, California Institute of the Arts

Amy Kravitz (b. 1956 Wilmington, DE) explores animation as a distinct language that uses unusual materials, unique spatial expressions and visual metaphors as its grammar. She believes an intimate collaboration between viewer and maker takes place between each drawing. Her films—including River Lethe, The Trap, Roost and The Hour Coat—transform the vicarious phenomena of cinema into genuine emotional experience using timing, abstraction and movement to communicate on a visceral level. Her films have been lauded as powerful experiences that defy verbal explanation. The Trap was considered by Jules Engel to be one of the 10 essential films through which to teach the principles, techniques and concepts of the art of animation.
 
Kravitz’s singular teaching methods, refined over five decades of experience, encourage students to develop individual approaches to the medium and enable their unique voices. She is one of the principal architects of the animation program at RISD, and her approach to animation and teaching techniques informed RISD’s Movement Lab. In 2011 she received the Frazier Award for Excellence in Teaching. 
 
Kravitz studied anthropology at Harvard University and experimental animation at California Institute of the Arts. She started making animated films at age 11 and was teaching by age 14. Her films have been screened at many festivals including the Ottawa International Animation Festival, Annecy International Animation Festival, Cork International Film Festival, Animafest Zagreb, Clermont Ferrand Festival of Short Films, Hiroshima International Animation Festival, Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, Melbourne International Animation Festival, Rotterdam International Film Festival, Holland International Animation Festival, and Anima Mundi. They have earned numerous awards. Kravitz was honored with a retrospective and the honorary presidency of the Ottawa International Animation Festival in 2022.

Academic areas of interest

Experimental Animation, Movement Study

Courses

Fall 2023 Courses

FAV 5106-01 - INTERMEDIATE STUDIO: ANIMATION
Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

FAV 5106-01

INTERMEDIATE STUDIO: ANIMATION

Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: W | 11:20 AM - 4:20 PM Instructor(s): Amy Kravitz Location(s): Market House, Room 307 Enrolled / Capacity: 15 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

The intermediate year of animation study witnesses a significant transformation, in which the student grows from novice to independent director. This year-long studio develops an integrated understanding of the diverse aesthetic tools of animation, and teaches students directing for the animation medium. The course is comprised of four elements. First, weekly in-class structured experiments and homework awaken and refine the student's understanding of movement, timing, writing, editing, sound design, art directing, and use of materials. Second, students receive technical training in 2D animation production. Third, students screen and discuss animated works spanning history, culture, and design approach. Fourth, each student designs, animates, directs, and produces two independent projects, one in the fall and one in the spring.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $300.00 Deposit: $150.00

Please contact fav@risd.edu for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday.


Major Requirement | BFA Film/Animation/Video | Animation

FAV 5106-02 - INTERMEDIATE STUDIO: ANIMATION
Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

FAV 5106-02

INTERMEDIATE STUDIO: ANIMATION

Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: M | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM Instructor(s): Amy Kravitz Location(s): Market House, Room 307 Enrolled / Capacity: 15 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

The intermediate year of animation study witnesses a significant transformation, in which the student grows from novice to independent director. This year-long studio develops an integrated understanding of the diverse aesthetic tools of animation, and teaches students directing for the animation medium. The course is comprised of four elements. First, weekly in-class structured experiments and homework awaken and refine the student's understanding of movement, timing, writing, editing, sound design, art directing, and use of materials. Second, students receive technical training in 2D animation production. Third, students screen and discuss animated works spanning history, culture, and design approach. Fourth, each student designs, animates, directs, and produces two independent projects, one in the fall and one in the spring.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $300.00 Deposit: $150.00

Please contact fav@risd.edu for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday.


Major Requirement | BFA Film/Animation/Video | Animation

FAV 5195-01 - SENIOR STUDIO: ANIMATION
Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Fall 2023
Credits 6
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

FAV 5195-01

SENIOR STUDIO: ANIMATION

Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Fall 2023
Credits 6
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: T | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM Instructor(s): Amy Kravitz, Ayce Kartal, Christy Karacas Location(s): Market House, Room 307 Enrolled / Capacity: 20 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

During the senior year, students synthesize and apply what they have learned in their previous studies to the creation of a year-long project. Students develop, design, animate, direct, and produce these projects independently. Students receive weekly individual guidance from instructors and two critiques by established professionals from the world animation community. Class meetings are devoted to film screenings, group critique, and specialized technical workshops.

Estimated Materials Cost: Varies considerably with production design; average $1,000.00 to $3,000.00 Deposit: $150.00

Fall semester includes a one-week field trip to the Ottawa International Animation Festival in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Majors are pre-registered by the Department Coordinator during the pre-registration period in the Spring semester preceding the senior year. Students make full payment via Slate. Payments can be made at any time once registration begins in May. Payment must be completed by September 1.

Estimated Travel Cost: $700 - $1,000

Department permission is required to register for this course; this course is not available via web registration. Please contact fav@risd.edu for permission to register.


Major Requirement | BFA Film/Animation/Video | Animation

Spring 2024 Courses

FAV 5107-02 - INTERMEDIATE STUDIO: ANIMATION
Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Spring 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

FAV 5107-02

INTERMEDIATE STUDIO: ANIMATION

Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Spring 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-02-15 to 2024-05-24
Times: M | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM Instructor(s): Amy Kravitz Location(s): Market House, Room 307 Enrolled / Capacity: 15 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This is the second semester of a year-long animation study, in which the student grows from novice to independent director. This studio develops an integrated understanding of the diverse aesthetic tools of animation, and teaches students directing for the animation medium. The course is comprised of four elements. First, weekly in-class structured experiments and homework awaken and refine the student's understanding of movement, timing, writing, editing, sound design, art directing, and use of materials. Second, students receive technical training in 2D animation production. Third, students screen and discuss animated works spanning history, culture, and design approach. Fourth, each student designs, animates, directs, and produces two independent projects, one in the fall and one in the spring.

Estimated Cost of Materials: varies considerably with production design; averages $300.00 to $1,200.00

Deposit: $150.00

Please contact fav@risd.edu for permission to register.


Major Requirement | BFA Film/Animation/Video | Animation

FAV 5196-01 - SENIOR STUDIO: ANIMATION
Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Spring 2024
Credits 6
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

FAV 5196-01

SENIOR STUDIO: ANIMATION

Level Undergraduate
Unit Film/Animation/Video
Subject Film/Animation/Video
Period Spring 2024
Credits 6
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-02-15 to 2024-05-24
Times: T | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM Instructor(s): Amy Kravitz, Ayce Kartal, Christy Karacas Location(s): Market House, Room 307 Enrolled / Capacity: 20 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

During the senior year, students synthesize and apply what they have learned in their previous studies to the creation of a year-long project. Students develop, design, animate, direct, and produce these projects independently. Students receive weekly individual guidance from instructors and two critiques by established professionals from the world animation community. Class meetings are devoted to film screenings, group critique, and specialized technical workshops. Spring Semester features speakers from different sectors of the animation field who meet with students to prepare them for professional practice. During the spring semester each student also prepares a professional reel and portfolio. The year culminates with the RISD Senior Festival, a public showcase.

Estimated Cost of Materials: varies considerably with production design; average $1,000.00 to $3,000.00.

Deposit: $150.00

Please contact fav@risd.edu for permission to register.


Major Requirement | BFA Film/Animation/Video | Animation

Image
RISD faculty member  Amy Kravitz
BA, Harvard University
MFA, California Institute of the Arts