Stop Motion (Groups of 2 People Allowed on this Project)
This is a project that will allow you to explore and experiment with a technique that has been used since the dawn of film making. Stop motion films create the illusion of movement into objects that don't naturally move on their own. The animator brings these object to life during the production process by moving objects between each frame. The film is created one frame at a time. When the film is played the hands of the animator are not visible and the objects in the fame appear to come to life on the screen! It's like magic!
Pre-Production:
The preproduction stage of creating a film is where you do all of your planning for every shot that you need to assemble a film. You will create a story map, screen play, and storyboards prior to filming your footage. In a stop motion film these steps are critical to creating a film that will engage a viewer. Be very diligent with planning out your story, consider the duration of each shot, consider your actions with speed ( are things speeding up or slowing down?...notes for the animator )
Story Map: Before you animate you will need to develop a story. Begin by plotting a story on paper. Draw out a bell curve on paper and draw in points if interest in your story. What are the rising actions that happen in your film that lead to your climax? What is the big reveal, the ah-ha moment? After the climax, there needs to be an ending that resolves the story.
Screen Play/ Storyboard: Once you plan your story map you are ready to write a script or screen play. The screen play describes camera movements or shot framing, the actions that are to occur within the frame.
Storyboard: Create drawings in your sketchbook or on note cards to plan out each shot you need to capture. Write notes to yourself about the motions that occur during each shot. Is the object speeding up or slowing down? Use all of the different types of shots we learned to make in the film practice assignment. You will use your storyboards to create a list of shots you need to capture during the production stage. The better you plan out your storyboards the easier your experience with filming will be.
Set design and Character Construction: Build your "set" using cardboard, props, construction paper, paint, or other objects. This will become the stage for your animations to take place. Consider using cardboard to create a backdrop for you film.
Use the clay-motion clay to build characters or objects that will be in motion. You will want to create simple characters that don't have too many fragile embellishments that can get damaged during the animation process. Test your characters limits before committing to filming with your character. Can it move and be manipulated without falling apart? Will it survive the production stage of filming?
You can also animate anything....consider using string, pencils, blocks, cut paper, toys, action figures, or anything else you want to see come alive.
Story Map: Before you animate you will need to develop a story. Begin by plotting a story on paper. Draw out a bell curve on paper and draw in points if interest in your story. What are the rising actions that happen in your film that lead to your climax? What is the big reveal, the ah-ha moment? After the climax, there needs to be an ending that resolves the story.
Screen Play/ Storyboard: Once you plan your story map you are ready to write a script or screen play. The screen play describes camera movements or shot framing, the actions that are to occur within the frame.
Storyboard: Create drawings in your sketchbook or on note cards to plan out each shot you need to capture. Write notes to yourself about the motions that occur during each shot. Is the object speeding up or slowing down? Use all of the different types of shots we learned to make in the film practice assignment. You will use your storyboards to create a list of shots you need to capture during the production stage. The better you plan out your storyboards the easier your experience with filming will be.
Set design and Character Construction: Build your "set" using cardboard, props, construction paper, paint, or other objects. This will become the stage for your animations to take place. Consider using cardboard to create a backdrop for you film.
Use the clay-motion clay to build characters or objects that will be in motion. You will want to create simple characters that don't have too many fragile embellishments that can get damaged during the animation process. Test your characters limits before committing to filming with your character. Can it move and be manipulated without falling apart? Will it survive the production stage of filming?
You can also animate anything....consider using string, pencils, blocks, cut paper, toys, action figures, or anything else you want to see come alive.
Production:
During production you will go out and film your footage. If you were diligent during the preproduction stage then your production will be really easy. Use your shot sheet and storyboard notes to help guide your shooting.
There are 4 or 5 computers in F-122 that have a program called iStopMotion. You will need to connect a camera to a power supply and to the computer via Firewire. Create a folder on the desktop with your name. Save your iStop motion project into this folder. When you are done filming you will want to export a .mov file to this same folder. Transfer this folder to the server so that you can edit your footage on a different computer.
Consider your frame rate when setting up your project, how many frames does it take to create one second of film? Less frames per second will create a more choppy feel...more frames per second will allow you to create a smoother feel but will take more movements between image captures.
Use a tripod for filming! Use a tripod for filming! Use a tripod for filming! This is stated thee times because it is extremely important! Absolutely critical for stop motion.
There are 4 or 5 computers in F-122 that have a program called iStopMotion. You will need to connect a camera to a power supply and to the computer via Firewire. Create a folder on the desktop with your name. Save your iStop motion project into this folder. When you are done filming you will want to export a .mov file to this same folder. Transfer this folder to the server so that you can edit your footage on a different computer.
Consider your frame rate when setting up your project, how many frames does it take to create one second of film? Less frames per second will create a more choppy feel...more frames per second will allow you to create a smoother feel but will take more movements between image captures.
Use a tripod for filming! Use a tripod for filming! Use a tripod for filming! This is stated thee times because it is extremely important! Absolutely critical for stop motion.
Post Production:
This is the stage when you begin to edit all your footage. Collect all of your clips into a folder on your computer.
Rough Cut: Drag your clips into your time line to see how your footage appears in the order you planned. You can always adjust your film at this point to tell a better story.
Final Cut: At this stage you are now working on editing each shot. Cut them down to include only the actions, motions, or dialogue that propels your story. If a shot does not drive your story....cut it from the film.
After you get your final cut complete export a .mov file. Create a Garageband Project "Podcast" and drag and drop your .mov clip into the project. Use Garageband to create a soundtrack for your film. Add sound effects or a musical score to enhance your film project. Be sure your audio levels are adjusted so they do not overpower your film audio. When you complete your sound track, delete the film clip from the project. Export an .mp3 from Garageband. Import the sound track.mp3 and then import it into your film project. Adjust the audio tracks so they sound okay.
Now you are ready to export your film project.
Rough Cut: Drag your clips into your time line to see how your footage appears in the order you planned. You can always adjust your film at this point to tell a better story.
Final Cut: At this stage you are now working on editing each shot. Cut them down to include only the actions, motions, or dialogue that propels your story. If a shot does not drive your story....cut it from the film.
After you get your final cut complete export a .mov file. Create a Garageband Project "Podcast" and drag and drop your .mov clip into the project. Use Garageband to create a soundtrack for your film. Add sound effects or a musical score to enhance your film project. Be sure your audio levels are adjusted so they do not overpower your film audio. When you complete your sound track, delete the film clip from the project. Export an .mp3 from Garageband. Import the sound track.mp3 and then import it into your film project. Adjust the audio tracks so they sound okay.
Now you are ready to export your film project.
Project Requirements:
- Create a film that is at least 30 second but less than 2 minutes
- Follow the steps outlined in the pre-production process before you film.
- Your film will need titles, credits, and an appropriate sound track
- Allow your teacher to approve your script and storyboards before you film.
- Your film must be school appropriate and meet the guidelines for GHS student productions.
- Submit your project titled with your lastname.stopmotion.mov to the Media Dropbox Folder on the server by the due date.
Grading Rubric
A: You gave it your all and it shows! You have earned an A. You did all the requirements for the assignment.
B: Great, but...: You created a film but you skipped some steps of the pre-production process.
C: Average work: You created a film but you did very little in terms of preproduction.
D: Bare Minimum: You just barely completed this assignment. Very little effort displayed, spent time off task, or did not get organized enough to complete a film.
F: No attendance or no project submitted at the time of grading.
X: You need to submit or resubmit a project. If you do not understand why it needs to be resubmitted ask Mr. Hanson.
LATE WORK: Projects that are submitted after the due date will be reduced by one letter grade.
You can always resubmit an assignment to improve your grade. Before resubmitting an assignment make refinements to your previously submitted project. Contact the teacher to find out what should be improved. If you skip the preproduction process before filming you may not do these things in post production to earn an A. An A film will follow all of the film requirements. Every student has the ability and opportunity to earn an A. The choice is yours.
B: Great, but...: You created a film but you skipped some steps of the pre-production process.
C: Average work: You created a film but you did very little in terms of preproduction.
D: Bare Minimum: You just barely completed this assignment. Very little effort displayed, spent time off task, or did not get organized enough to complete a film.
F: No attendance or no project submitted at the time of grading.
X: You need to submit or resubmit a project. If you do not understand why it needs to be resubmitted ask Mr. Hanson.
LATE WORK: Projects that are submitted after the due date will be reduced by one letter grade.
You can always resubmit an assignment to improve your grade. Before resubmitting an assignment make refinements to your previously submitted project. Contact the teacher to find out what should be improved. If you skip the preproduction process before filming you may not do these things in post production to earn an A. An A film will follow all of the film requirements. Every student has the ability and opportunity to earn an A. The choice is yours.
Stop Motion Resources:
Check out these pages for ideas, further instruction, or resources to assist in your production.
Clay Animation Tricks
iStop Motion Help
Keying out a background with After Effects
Clay Animation Tricks
iStop Motion Help
Keying out a background with After Effects
Stop Motion Example 1You may need to view these video clips from home. |
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Stop Motion Example 2 |
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