Introduction
Throughout this course you will be creating animations using original characters that you create. But creating a character takes time and I would like you to get some experience making a stop motion product right from the beginning. So this week, the project is to design the character that we will be creating this semester. This is just a preliminary design. The character you create this week is the first step. The character that you will be animating will be constructed and animated throughout the course. But we have to have an idea of what we are going to be working towards so this is where we start. There is an optional component of creating your own short animation. It is intended to be an exploration not a final product. Just so you can see how the process works and to get an idea of the amount of time and work it takes to produce a few seconds worth of animation.
Week 1
Character Creation
1. This week use your imagination to create a character that you may like to include in a stop motion animation.
2. You can either draw or create your character using clay (or play dough) and upload a picture to this activity.
3. Describe your character on a google docs. Use your imagination and be CREATIVE. What are their:
If you are feeling really creative checkout this site and try to make your own stop motion animation right now you can check out this page.
https://tinkerlab.com/easy-stop-motion-animation-kids/
Or you can check out the video below.
To Do:
Design a character and upload a picture of it to this activity in the google classroom
Describe your character on a google docs and attach it to this activity in the google classroom
2. You can either draw or create your character using clay (or play dough) and upload a picture to this activity.
3. Describe your character on a google docs. Use your imagination and be CREATIVE. What are their:
- - physical attributes
- - personality traits
- - what do they like to do
- - where do they live
- - any other important information
If you are feeling really creative checkout this site and try to make your own stop motion animation right now you can check out this page.
https://tinkerlab.com/easy-stop-motion-animation-kids/
Or you can check out the video below.
To Do:
Design a character and upload a picture of it to this activity in the google classroom
Describe your character on a google docs and attach it to this activity in the google classroom
Week 2
Setting and background
This week we are going to look at the setting for your animation. The setting is where and when the scene or story takes place. Is it inside or outside? Is it a busy place or pretty peaceful? Is it day or night or somewhere in between? When you decide what the setting is going to be, then you can begin to describe it. You can describe it in words and also in pictures. Write about the place and then draw or paint the setting. You can do several sketches quickly, but then I ask that you create one final draft of your setting that is more finished. At this stage in the project, the setting might still have to be revised and it will have to be more finished than the version we are creating this week, so right now we will call this version of the setting a final draft.
To Do:
Create your own unique watercolor artwork. This could be something you create on your own, a picture or canvas you paint.
Please attach a photo of your setting draft to this activity in the google classroom
Describe 1 or 2 ways that you could incorporate watercolor art into a stop motion animation project.
To Do:
Create your own unique watercolor artwork. This could be something you create on your own, a picture or canvas you paint.
Please attach a photo of your setting draft to this activity in the google classroom
Describe 1 or 2 ways that you could incorporate watercolor art into a stop motion animation project.
Week 3
Week 3 Google Slides
This week we are going to be revisiting an old friend Google Slides. Watch the video and create your own google slides video using the steps shown in the Get Animating!! FUN With Google Slides video below. Your animation should be at least 30 slides. Submit your link using google docs. When you turn in your link, also tell me what animation software if any you have to use at home. If you don't have any, now you know that you can still create animations with google slides!
Week 4 |
Reflection
Write a post about your experience so far in Stop Motion animation so far. What are your strongest skills? What are you struggling with? Have you finished an animation? Do you prefer to work with paper, clay or digital media to create your animations? I am working on assembling some resources for you, but I want to know where to focus the instruction.
To Do: Write about your experiences so far and link some resources that are helpful to you. Post your answer to the questions above along with the links to pages or videos that are useful to you.
Not required but useful information
Do not download software without your parents permission!
Here are some digital resources to investigate.
https://windowsreport.com/stop-motion-animation-software/
https://pixlr.com/
Claymation and real objects
The first link is one I created in 30 frames
To Do: Write about your experiences so far and link some resources that are helpful to you. Post your answer to the questions above along with the links to pages or videos that are useful to you.
Not required but useful information
Do not download software without your parents permission!
Here are some digital resources to investigate.
https://windowsreport.com/stop-motion-animation-software/
https://pixlr.com/
Claymation and real objects
The first link is one I created in 30 frames
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Week 5
Week 5 Repeat Motion
This week we are going to be building on the activity from week 3.
Look back to the character you created for week 3 activity and create a finished color drawing or one clay sculpture of your character that you can pose, photograph and re-position. Review your story idea and think of what motions your character makes according to the story. For example if your character walks, you can draw your character and cut out the arms and legs so you can position them to look like it is taking steps. Photograph your work and import the photos into google slides. Resize and reposition each of the images so that the figure doesn't bounce excessively and the motion flows smoothly. Just focus on one motion this week.
I know that this video link demonstrates how to make a campfire, but the process is the same for duplicating a repeating motion for a figure or background motion. Once you have completed filming and arranging one complete step, you can duplicate the slides or frames and paste them so that your character repeats the motion.
To do:
1 Draw the figure you wish to animate.and cut out arms and legs OR
Create a figure from clay that you can repostition
2. Photograph and reposition your figure or drawing and re photograph. Continue until your figure has completed one complete motion.
3. Import your photos into google slides and resize and position the images so that your figure makes a fluid steady motion.
4. Copy and duplicate the slides so that the motion continues for 30 or more frames.
Save your work to google drive and turn in your slide show.
Look back to the character you created for week 3 activity and create a finished color drawing or one clay sculpture of your character that you can pose, photograph and re-position. Review your story idea and think of what motions your character makes according to the story. For example if your character walks, you can draw your character and cut out the arms and legs so you can position them to look like it is taking steps. Photograph your work and import the photos into google slides. Resize and reposition each of the images so that the figure doesn't bounce excessively and the motion flows smoothly. Just focus on one motion this week.
I know that this video link demonstrates how to make a campfire, but the process is the same for duplicating a repeating motion for a figure or background motion. Once you have completed filming and arranging one complete step, you can duplicate the slides or frames and paste them so that your character repeats the motion.
To do:
1 Draw the figure you wish to animate.and cut out arms and legs OR
Create a figure from clay that you can repostition
2. Photograph and reposition your figure or drawing and re photograph. Continue until your figure has completed one complete motion.
3. Import your photos into google slides and resize and position the images so that your figure makes a fluid steady motion.
4. Copy and duplicate the slides so that the motion continues for 30 or more frames.
Save your work to google drive and turn in your slide show.
Week 6
Careers
This week I would like you to look at the career of an animator. And look for some examples of stop motion animation outside of the typical YouTube channel or video short.
For this weeks activity, you will have to do some research and some writing. When you are looking at the career options for stop motion animator, what kinds of job did you expect to see? What kinds of jobs were listed that surprised you? Why was this surprising for you? I have posted a link to get you started. You don't have to research these jobs too in depth; just get a sense of how much stop motion animators have to know and how they might be employed.
Next, look for stop motion animation examples that are used for advertising. Find two advertisements or examples of stop motion animation used the media effectively and one that did not. Post links to your responses and write why you think each one is or is not effective.
Have a great week: And continue to work on animating using google slides or your preferred program or app that you have access to.
For this weeks activity, you will have to do some research and some writing. When you are looking at the career options for stop motion animator, what kinds of job did you expect to see? What kinds of jobs were listed that surprised you? Why was this surprising for you? I have posted a link to get you started. You don't have to research these jobs too in depth; just get a sense of how much stop motion animators have to know and how they might be employed.
Next, look for stop motion animation examples that are used for advertising. Find two advertisements or examples of stop motion animation used the media effectively and one that did not. Post links to your responses and write why you think each one is or is not effective.
Have a great week: And continue to work on animating using google slides or your preferred program or app that you have access to.
Week 7
Storyboard
Week 8
Set the Scene
Towards the beginning of the class, we came up with an idea for a story, created a small story board, animated a motion that we can repeat and last week we built a rigging to make animating easier and more fluid. This week we are all ready to build the set. Look back at the story you created for this class. This is the set we will plan and build this week. Before you begin, check out the links for inspiration. The first link is for an author / Illustrator who builds sets that will become the illustrations for her books. The second link takes us behind the scenes building a set designed for stop motion clay animation. Your set doesn't have to be built using a box, but if you don't you should build it somewhere you can leave it set up for a while. You will need your idea and a few drawings along with some or all of the following; paper, pencil, ,coloring materials, clay, scissors, string, cardboard or heavy paper, tape and found objects. If you use found objects such as sticks, rocks, blocks or any thing besides your drawing and artwork, get permission first. You don't have to use the materials I listed, It is just a list to get you thinking about what you might need for your project.
To Do:
Draw and color a small version of the set you need to create for your character. Include the character in the drawing for scale. Next draw each component of the set full size and cut the pieces out. Decide how you are going to attach or support the parts of the set. For example, if the component needs to be movable, consider attaching a kick stand or clay on the back of it. If the component is supposed to stand tall and the paper keeps bending over, adding a fold along the length of the piece will help it stand up straight.
Once you have completed building your set, take a photo and submit the image of your work for week 8.
To Do:
Draw and color a small version of the set you need to create for your character. Include the character in the drawing for scale. Next draw each component of the set full size and cut the pieces out. Decide how you are going to attach or support the parts of the set. For example, if the component needs to be movable, consider attaching a kick stand or clay on the back of it. If the component is supposed to stand tall and the paper keeps bending over, adding a fold along the length of the piece will help it stand up straight.
Once you have completed building your set, take a photo and submit the image of your work for week 8.