Subject code
JAN
Course Number
133
Course Title
Embodied AI: Puppets & Cinema
Modality
In-Person
Meeting Days
MTThF
Meeting Time(s)
9:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Instructor(s)
Wu, Jia
Instructor(s) Email
jw14@stmarys-ca.edu
Prerequisites
None
Course Fee
$125
Units
3
Course Description
Embodied Futures: AI, Puppetry, and Cinema Studio
This intensive four-week January course introduces students to AI-assisted creative research and storytelling alongside hands-on mixed-media performance and animation practices. In the first two weeks, students develop a foundational mindset and workflow for using AI in concept development, narrative exploration, visual research, and storyboarding across creative disciplines, including graphic design, spatial design, filmmaking, and content creation. In the final two weeks, students translate their AI-informed research and concepts into tactile, embodied works through hand-made puppets, masks, props, and performing objects, using stop-motion, cut-out, object, collage, silhouette animation, and single- and multi-channel video practices. Through guided studio sessions and iterative prototyping, students complete a series of creative exercises and produce a final integrated project that bridges AI-driven research with material-based performance and moving-image creation. No prior experience with AI or animation is required—only curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to experiment across media using emerging technologies and hands-on making.
This intensive four-week January course introduces students to AI-assisted creative research and storytelling alongside hands-on mixed-media performance and animation practices. In the first two weeks, students develop a foundational mindset and workflow for using AI in concept development, narrative exploration, visual research, and storyboarding across creative disciplines, including graphic design, spatial design, filmmaking, and content creation. In the final two weeks, students translate their AI-informed research and concepts into tactile, embodied works through hand-made puppets, masks, props, and performing objects, using stop-motion, cut-out, object, collage, silhouette animation, and single- and multi-channel video practices. Through guided studio sessions and iterative prototyping, students complete a series of creative exercises and produce a final integrated project that bridges AI-driven research with material-based performance and moving-image creation. No prior experience with AI or animation is required—only curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to experiment across media using emerging technologies and hands-on making.