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STOP-MOTION ANIMATION
Stop-motion animation involves taking lots of still images of
characters and props, which are moved small amounts
between shots, and running the images together to make it
look like the objects are moving.
Planning
The best animations are well-planned. Students should complete a storyboard of what
will happen in their animation. This can be in the form of pictures or words, or a
combination. It is useful to note how long each bit of dialogues lasts (see Animation Tips
below).
Hardware
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Option 1
Use a digital still camera on a tripod and take a photo of your set and characters. Move
them a small amount and take another photo. Continue doing this until you have
finished the required action. Download all of the photos onto the computer and import
them into a video-editing piece of software. Press play and watch your characters come
to life. You may need to reduce/increase the length of time each photo is shown in the
timeline to make sure the action isn't too slow/fast.
This is the cheapest option, but it is very difficult to judge how far you've moved a
character between shots, and the movement may look quite jerky as a result. If the
camera moves between shots, it will also look poor.
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Option 2
Use a digital video camera that uses tapes, on a tripod, and attach to your computer
with a firewire cable (i.Link). Turn the camera onto Camera/Record mode and open
some stop-motion animation software. Through the software you should be able to see
what the camera sees and take still photos of your set and characters.
This will probably give you the best quality animation, but many computers don't have
firewire ports, and most modern video cameras don't use tapes. Using the specific stopmotion software means you can use 'Onion Skinning', whereby you can see the last
shot you took, superimposed with the view from the camera, and therefore it is easy to
see how far you've moved characters. It is also easier to delete any shots and redo
them, or duplicate and reverse series of shots.
C. Elliott, Sheffield South CLC
Feb. 2011
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Option 3
Use a webcam that attaches to the computer via USB cable. There are a number you
can buy that don't need any software installing before you use them. Attach it to the
computer and open up the specific stop-motion animation software. You should then
see what the webcam sees.
It is harder to position the webcam in the right place, and the quality may not be as
good. However this is another relatively cheap option, and you have the 'Onion
Skinning' facility still through the software.
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Option 4
Use an iPhone or iPod Touch with inbuilt camera and download an animation app (see
below). Use the app to capture frames and put them together.
Again it is not as easy to position your handheld device, although there are tripods
adapted for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It isn't so easy to edit the finished animation on
your computer.
Software
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I Can Animate, by Kudlian Soft. Costs £29.95 for a single user licence and is
compatible with Windows based PCs and Apple Macs. You can also get an
iPhone app version. This software is very easy to use and has everything you
need to make a good animation.
Stop Motion Pro, costs £29.99 for a single user licence, but is only compatible
with Windows based PCs. This software has some really good features for the
more advanced user, but isn't so user friendly for younger students.
Zu3D, costs £24.99 for a single user licence and is compatible with computers
running Windows XP or Vista. This is a good bit of software for use with younger
students as you can add titles and music/voiceover on the finished animation,
without having to export it into a second bit of software.
Monkey Jam is a free download, and is compatible with Windows 98-XP. It isn't
quite as user friendly as the others.
Windows Movie Maker (PC) and iMovie (Mac) are free video editing pieces of
software, and can be used to add titles, effects and sound to your animation once
you have finished creating it.
C. Elliott, Sheffield South CLC
Feb. 2011
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Sets, characters and props
There are two ways of filming your animation, in 2D or 3D.
2D
The camera is suspended above the set, looking down, and all of
the characters and props are two-dimensional (e.g. paper cut outs). We generally say
students should have a background that is A3 size, to provide enough space for action.
Any important features on the background shouldn't be around the edges (see
diagram), as these may get cut out of the shot. Bright, colourful backgrounds work well,
as long as the characters stand out.
Keep essential
scenery within the
centre rectangle.
Characters can be cut out of paper or card, and will need to be approximately 10cm
high. Card is preferable as it won't curl up at the edges and will be more robust. Use
split pins at joints so that limbs can move. You could create alternate heads if you want
the character to change expression or look around. You can of course use plasticine or
toys, and simply lie flat on the background.
2D animation is best used when characters or objects need to fly or jump.
3D
The camera points horizontally and therefore you need a backdrop and floor section for
the scenery. It can be done by sticking the backdrop to the wall behind the table, and
the floor to the table, or built into part of a cardboard box - but make sure it is easy to
access the set when moving characters.
C. Elliott, Sheffield South CLC
Feb. 2011
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Characters and props can be made out of plasticine - this is
great for being able to move limbs, mouths, eyes etc, but ensure
they are robust. Generally make figures bottom heavy, with thick
limbs. Toys, e.g. play people, are really useful, or use everyday
objects. Whatever you use, make sure they can stand up
unaided!
Animation tips
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Stick everything down with blutack first, even characters that move.
Don't move the camera unless absolutely necessary.
Most specific animation software works on 12 frames per second, so 12 still
photos will make up one second of action. It is often worth taking two frames of
each shot, otherwise the action happens very fast.
Make sure there is enough animation to last whilst people are talking. 5 seconds
of conversation will require 60 frames. If possible, keep dialogue to a minimum.
Have a practise run first, let the students get used to moving the characters and
taking the frames. Then delete it all and start the real version.
Make sure you/the students watch through the animation at regular intervals, to
check scenery hasn't moved, or hands are in shot.
Think about what's happening in the background when two characters are
talking. It can be made more interesting by a bird flying by etc.
The smaller the amount you move objects each time, the smoother your
animation will be.
When working with students, we generally assign 3 jobs: camera person - who
press the frame capture button on the computer; mover - moves the characters;
director - looks at the scene on the computer and ensure objects are moved to
the right place and no hands are in shot.
For a video on how to make a stop-motion animation, see
http://ssclc.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/animation/ - it doesn't talk about specific
software and hardware, but can be used to show students the process of creating
characters and scenery, and animating their story.
C. Elliott, Sheffield South CLC
Feb. 2011