Time Lapse or Pixelmotion (Individual Project Only)
Time lapse photography or pixelmation is when you take a series of photos over the course of time. The photographs are turned into a film and the illusion of motion begins when the viewer sees these images at a specified frame rate. Time lapse photography is when a camera is setup to take a series of images usually at a regular interval ( every 1 second, 5 second, 20 seconds, 5 minutes etc). This can be used to capture the movement of things that happen slowly over time.
Pixelmotion is a similar concept however this is when the photographer has more control over when the shutter is released to capture an image. Usually people are the subject and they move between shots. This can give the illusion of movement, time passing, or objects moving without a mechanism for movement.
Pixelmotion is a similar concept however this is when the photographer has more control over when the shutter is released to capture an image. Usually people are the subject and they move between shots. This can give the illusion of movement, time passing, or objects moving without a mechanism for movement.
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? 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.
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? 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.
Production:
During production you will go out and take your photos. 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.
You can use any camera to take pictures. Use the lowest resolution setting so that your camera can capture more images before the memory card is full. As you take images you will move the objects between frames or just allow the camera to capture what is happening in front of the camera.
Consider your frame rate when shooting 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 time lapse photography or pixelmotion.
You can use any camera to take pictures. Use the lowest resolution setting so that your camera can capture more images before the memory card is full. As you take images you will move the objects between frames or just allow the camera to capture what is happening in front of the camera.
Consider your frame rate when shooting 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 time lapse photography or pixelmotion.
Post Production:
This is the stage when you begin to edit all your footage. Collect all of your photos into a folder on your computer.
How to turn your photo sequence into video clips:
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.
Create a Soundtrack:
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 timeline. 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.
How to turn your photo sequence into video clips:
- Open up Quicktime 7 on your computer.
- Choose File->Open Image Sequence.
- Navigate to your folder and select only the top image in the list.
- Choose Ok.
- On the next screen you will choose your frame rate. You may need to experiment with a frame rate that works well for you.
- Once you create the film clip you may need to choose View, fit to screen or half size so you can see the play button.
- Once you see the play button you can play your clip.
- If you are satisfied you will want to choose File and save as to save your clip. Save your clips into another folder on your desktop.
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.
Create a Soundtrack:
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 timeline. 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.
- Allow your teacher to approve your script and storyboards before you film.
- Your film will need titles, credits, and an appropriate sound track
- Your film must be school appropriate and meet the guidelines for GHS student productions.
- Submit your project titled with your lastname.timelapse.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
Clay Animation Tricks
iStop Motion Help
Time Lapse Example 1You may need to view these video clips from home. Time Lapse Example 2The Aurora is worth checking out. Better yet, spend a summer in Alaska and check it out for yourself.
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Pixel Motion ExampleNorman McLaren is an animator that has been recognized by the National Film Board of Canada. His film Neighbors is an example of Pixel Motion Check out GRAVITY: This is an example of how another film maker can use a technique developed by one person and take it to a new level. How do you think the actress in this clip was able to float? |
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