STOP! ITS ANIMATION TIME!

The best project..evverrrrrrrr

The Intro.

Megan Krieger I teach 8th grade at Miamisburg Middle School All the information will be on my class blog at www.MiamisburgMSArt.blogspot.com under the OAEA Conference tab. Any other questions: [email protected]

Whats the Deal?

After this presentation you should be able to: 1. Know what Stop Motion Animation is. 2. What you will need to start this project. 3. What this project demands from you as the instructor as well as your students. 4. Inspire you to adapt this project to your grade level and art room! 5. PLUS gain a ton of information and handouts that are listed on the blog!

So, what is it?

Stop Motion Animation (SMA)= A form of animation that brings inanimate objects to life.

How does it work?

Place the inanimate object and take a digital photograph, then move the object and take another photo. This process is repeated hundreds of times to create a film. The digital photos are put together on the computer where they are shown like a slideshow . With 0.125 seconds in between the photos, we can see the inanimate object moving. This process is similar to a flip book.

Where can SMAs be seen?

Past and present! The first documented stop motion animation was in 1898. Used widely in TV, movies, commercials Amazon, Target Has been used in the original Star Wars trilogy, Terminator, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Robocop, Robot Chicken, Gumby, Original King Kong (1933), Nightmare Before Christmas, and Fantastic Mr. Fox

Why Teach SMA?

An engaging way to create in the 4th dimension. Student involvement: those students that do not identify themselves as drawers or painters can really find their artistic voice in this project.

Vocab: 4th dimension real and recorded time.

Adaptable?

With some determination and creative thinking this project can be adapted for almost any grade level. I invite you to start the brainstorm during this presentation.

Materials.

Digital Cameras: old or new, yours or students# of cameras dependent on how many groups you have Tripods: if possible.. Rechargeable batteries: art order? Flash drives: one per group, yours or students Memory Card Reader: under $20 at most stores. iPods or iPhones: if no digital camera is available, MUST use the white cord since there is no memory card. CAUTION! TRICKY! Phones: this can only work if you have a MicroSD adapter.

TIP!

Ask family or friends for their old cameras! Everyone has an old cameras in a drawer somewherewhy not donate it for a good cause! Put a status on Facebook, mass email, Twitter etc! Offer to mail a check back for shipping costs.

Lets Break It Down.

The actual project itself will be broken down into FIVE Components: 1. The Brainstorm 2. The Set 3. The Pictures 4. Saving/Clean Up Making the Movie

Component #1: The Brainstorm

Students choose their groups of either 2-3. 1 prop mover, 1 camera person, 1 gopher/prop mover Write a short paragraph summarizing the beginning, middle, and end. I encourage NO PEOPLE: change of clothes, absent students, hard to animate something that is already animated.

Component #1: The Brainstorm

MUST TELL A STORY!!!! No storyline = random, somewhat boring videos.

Pictures

without a purpose.

Storyboard 5-10 frames with quick sketches. Guess how many photos it will take to shoot the frame. 300+

Component #1: The Brainstorm

Conference with students after they have completed the storyboard. Overload them with questions: How will the set look? What materials? Biggest Question: What is your plan B? What happens when you have taken 125 photos and your story is done? How can you extend your storyline without making it too random?

Component #2: The Set

Created with a variety of materials which encourages the element of Play. Can either be stationary in the room or else can be set up every class period.

TIP!

The cardboard boxes that large paper comes in makes great sets!
These can be moved and stored with great ease!

Component #3: The Pictures

Establish responsibilities in group. Who is the best picture taker? Take a picture, move the object, take another picture, repeat.

TIP!

10 picture check back! Will save A LOT of time and effort.

Component #3: The Pictures

Stress to students that the camera must be steady at all times. The earthquake Keep hands, feet, shadows etc. OUT of the cameras view. Clear!

Component #3: The Pictures

Smaller the movement of the object = smooth, fluid pictures.

Bigger the movement of the object = robotic

Component #3: The Pictures

No tripods? Not a problem! Get creative! Use books, tape, stools etc. to make sure the camera is steady at all times.

Component #3: The Pictures

My expectations = 300+ photos at the end of the project. 300 photos may give you a 40ish second film. An on task group with an easier set can take around 100 pictures in one class period (hour) An off task group can take between 20-50 photos a class period. However, an on task group with a difficult set (dry erase board) will not be able to get 300 photos. Adaptations are necessary.

Component #4: Saving and Clean Up

Most extensive part for you as the instructor.

If a group is using your digital camera then you must empty the memory card of all the pictures so the next group can use the camera.

Component #4: Saving and Clean Up

Using your card reader, insert the card, insert the groups flash drive, start a NEW FOLDER by right clicking, title it, highlight all the pictures (Ctrl A), drag to NEW FOLDER!

Component #4: Saving and Clean Up

Then the next day that group will need to look at the last picture (on the flash drive) they took to know where they should start for today. ALL PICTURES MUST BE SAVED UNDER A FOLDER!!!! VERY, VERY IMPORTANT!!

Component #4: Saving and Clean Up

Clean Up = mark out with masking tape where the set, tripod, camera should be so the next day students can fix anything if necessary.

Vocab: Hot Set = a set that is still being used to film. Nothing can be moved or touched from the set.

Component #5: Making the Movie

In computer lab make sure you have Windows Movie Maker tech request, free download. Now that all the pictures are taken you need to put them all together in the computer. Use packet! Step by step instructions free you up to help students. A really short slideshow Troubleshooting is your BFF. When in doubt ask a student.

Component #5: Making the Movie

Windows Movie Maker is a dumb program.

Therefore, you MUST save your pictures, the in progress movie file (still workable file), and music under the SAME folder! Otherwise it does not know where to look.

Component #5: Making the Movie

Note: you must publish movie after you are done. This compresses the movie and you can no longer edit it. This is different than saving the movie in progress (very large file) where you can still edit.

OhIs That All?

Heads Up: If students want to use text or speech bubbles then they must do a math problem. If one picture is shown on screen for 0.250 seconds or less then how many pictures will they have to take of the same speech bubble if they want the viewer to be able to read it? How long did it take you to read the speech bubble?
3

seconds X 0.250 = 12 pictures.

Its Time.

Day 1: Intro to students Day 2: Cartoon character Test 20 minutes, rest of class time brainstorm. Day 3: Brainstorm story, work on storyboard. Day 4: Conference, work on set. Day 5: Work on set Day 6: Set, start taking pictures Day 7-13/14: Pictures, mid-project conference Day 15 and 16: Computer Lab Day 17: Extra day in case anyone has to finish up editing on computer. Alt. Assn. Flip Book? Day 18: Celebrate with a movie premier!

Test.

Great way for students to get their feet wet before starting the project. Usually takes between 20-30 minutes. Insert memory card into computer and scroll through pictures. Do not Windows Movie Maker. Look for: hands, clarity of picture, fast movements etc. Great way to critique before they start

Test.

The cutout needs to walk the length of a ruler and do two back flips and one front flip while walking along the ruler.

This must take at least 50 photos

Making it Special.

Krieger Video Awards (KVAs) One day we watch the videos and students complete a quick worksheet for each video in the class. Next day we give awards for videos.
Best

Class Video Best Overall Video Best.soundtrack, most number of pictures, best use of a penguin etc.

Making it Special.

Students are able to invite their favorite teachers to the KVAs. Principals, Superintendent, HR, Central Office staff are invited.

GREAT WAY TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR PROGRAM!!!!!!