This
unit will use the Pivot Stickfigure
animation program with PowerPoint to
create a story for children. One or
more animated figures will acompany
each page. One or more paragraphs
will accompany each page. To begin,
open the Pivot program from the local
computer or download it from the class
folder if it needs to be installed. The
program we are using will be free.
Starting the Programs
 There will be two programs to run for this
project. First, run the PowerPoint program
and write a paragraph for each page that
explains the children’s story. Then, after the
words are set up, create graphic movies with
the Pivot program. Both programs are on
the local computer and are started by
clicking on the start key/windows key in the
lower left corner.
When
running Pivot, more figures can
be added. First, select the figure
you want. Notice the default is
“Stickman,” but there are other
options as well. Then, click on the
add figure button. Take care, if the
button is pressed more than one time
the figures will keep adding in the
same place. Be sure to move your
added figure to desired location.
Creating Frames
 An animation or movie has to have more than one
picture. These pictures are called “Frames”. Click the
“Next Frame Button” to let the program know that the
frame is ready and a new one can be edited. Take care
to hit the “Next Frame” button often so that the
individual movements of the figure can be shown.
After the “Next Frame” button is pressed for the first
time, it gains focus. If done carefully, a student can
move the figure with the mouse and press enter
continuously.
Review
 Pivot Stick Fairy Tale: getting started
 Starting the Programs
 Adding Figures to the Program
 Creating Frames

The pivot program will allow a creator to
change color, size, direction and number of
figures. To change the color, click on the
“Colour” button. To change the size, click
on the number that starts at 100. To add
more figures, click the add button. There
are other kind of figures than the default.
Creating More Figures
 The Pivot Program will enable a student to
create their own kind of figures instead of
the basic person. Click on “File,” “Create
Figure Type.” This will give a menu to add
lines and circles to create a figure. A line
can be reduced to a width of zero and go up
to very thick. Choose this option to create
custom characters in the animation.
 It
is easier to make a held object
part of the figure its self rather than
a separate object. For example, see
the sword added to this regular stick
figure. Now, when the figure
moves, the held object
automatically goes with the rest of
the character. Setting up the object
separately makes it more tedious to
organize.
Handling the Frames
 Towards the top of the Pivot
animation program each of the
pictures of the movie are shown.
These frames can be deleted or
created at will. Be sure to add many
frames to increase the detail of
movement and length of the movie.
Managing the frames is important to
animators.
Configuring
the Figures
Creating More Figures
Adding Objects For the
Figure to Hold
Handling the Frames
•Strategies for Children
 There are some strategies to keep in mind as to
overall theme for a children’s story. The story is
supposed to quiet the kid so that they will go to
sleep and leave us alone. Be certain to NOT scare
the wits out of the poor child. For example, you
can say that the knight defeats the evil dragon or
the zombie is defeated in battle. Do NOT describe
the gory details of how the zombies face is ripped
off with guts flying all over. This will keep the kid
up and make for more work.
 The
file must be saved as a GIF
extension. After saving the
animation file to the desktop or
documents file, drag and drop it
onto the PowerPoint. If the file does
not show up correctly in PowerPoint,
try running the show to check it and
be sure to not accidentally transfer
a .PIV file instead of the .GIF.
Managing Multiple Animations
 Each part of the story should have its own animation
to show the current action. As the story progresses, so
should the animation. Students may choose to show
more than one animation on a slide and more than one
action in each animation. The choice is up to the
student who has final say as author, animator and
editor. It is important to keep the format in an
intelligent, consistent design.
 Some
animations will look better
with a picture in the background
rather than a blank white slate. To
add a picture, click on the “Load
Background” option under the file
menu. The picture should be saved
from the “Pbrush” program as done
in previous projects. It can be
created or downloaded.
Review
 Strategies for Children
 Transferring the Animations
 Managing Multiple Animations
 Adding Background
 Just
as we imported people and
objects to the background in the
previous project, photo
manipulation is enabled for this
project as well. Find a place that
makes a nice background. Find an
object that will add to the overall
look. Remove the background from
the object and place into its new
background. A personalized
background can display a student’s
sense of style.
Managing the Placement of
animations and pictures.
 The slide show can have both
animations and pictures. Pictures are
still and can give meaning to the plot,
characters and settings. The animations
show interaction of the characters as
they progress. Students choose how
many to place for pictures and
animations.
 The
project must look professional
and attractive to the child reading
the story. In some cases, a younger
child can’t read and will just see the
pictures as an adult reads for them.
Be certain that the scenery is
attractive to a young child to keep
their attention. Children have
shorter attention spans than adults,
so be creative in how to get them
interested.
Placing the correct amount of
words on a page
 Each PowerPoint page/slide should have a
paragraph. The paragraph starts with the topic
sentence. The paragraph has 3 or more body
sentences. The paragraph ends with a
concluding sentences. This page and the other
notes we take all display an example of proper
paragraph form.
Creating
Personalized Backgrounds
Managing the Placement of animations
and pictures
Creating a project Professional Look
Placing the correct amount of words
on a page
Editing the Story
 Look over the story carefully to make sure
there are no mistakes. Editing is the
process of analyzing and reviving the
project after it is created. Carefully look to
see that the slides all work together to
create an affect that a student can be proud
of. Remember, this project is designed for
children and should be edited to help them
stay interested.
 The
Pivot program saves files into the .gif
format. This GIF format is standards
amongst many programs. The file can be
added to any Office document or any web
page. Even professional pages can look more
interesting with an adorable character
moving around the screen. Be sure to not
overdo it on a page that is trying to be
serious.
Review
Editing the story
Using Pivot for other projects
College Majors: Animations
Careers in Advertisement and Children’s stories
College Majors: Animators
 Animation is not just about making cartoons. Today,
animation is a part of college majors in art, web design,
business, film and many others. Even small
companies now have their information posted on the
Internet. Being able to add a professional and well
thought out moving picture can make the difference
between your work being considered the best or
mediocre.
 There
are markets available for those who
want to make money making animations.
Parents love to buy their children stories
and with new hand held items coming out
every day, animated storybooks are more
and more popular. An illustrator with
talent in still or multiple frame pictures
will be far ahead of old fashioned
techniques. Whether working alone to
design advertisements or as part of a larger
team, animators can make a lot of money
in advertisement.