Stop, Snap, and Go……
(Task Sheet: Technology systems and information)
Unit Question:
How can I help others in my community through a short film?
AOI: C&S
Context:
Stop-motion has been used as a method of animation since before the dawn of the celluloid age. Stopmotion animation is a general term for an animation technique which makes a physically manipulated
object appear to move. The object is moved by extremely small amounts between individually
photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames are played as a
continuous sequence. Clay figures are often used in stop motion animations, known as claymation, for
their ease of repositioning. This method of presenting information can be easy to understand, and FUN!
Design Brief:
Your brief is, in groups of 2, to design, plan and create a stop motion short film (animated ) to spread
awareness about any issues related our school community.
Specifications:
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Each student will make use of the design cycle flowchart to help them document each step
of the process
Your group animation must be at least one minute in length.
Your message must be school appropriate.
Get approval from your teacher before you start.
Your group must complete a storyboard of the sequences that will take place in your
animation.
At least the characters in your story should be made of clay/play do/plasticine
All props/sets will need to be supplied by you.
All deadlines must be met
…….are there more????
The making of the stop motion film will involve all the stages of the Design Cycle namely: - Investigate,
design, plan, creation and evaluation.
Approaches to learning….and 1 other……
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We are specifically looking at your organization skills during this unit, and will explore
different mindmapping tools for brainstorming/organizing.
 ASSESSMENT
Criterion A Investigate, Criterion B Design, Criterion C Plan, Criterion D Create
Criterion E Evaluate, Criterion FAttitudes in Technology
Formative Assessment (whilst you are completing this unit)
Your involvement and enthusiasm in the process of designing and creating a stop motion movie.
Formative assessment will be carried out in the form of a checklist at each stage of the design cycle and
informal observation of the teacher when the students are working in the Designing Technology
lab/class.
Summative Assessment (at the end of the unit)
The final Product
Successful completion of the project and submission of a Design Cycle by each student.
Vocabulary you should use and understand during this unit:
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stop motion (or frame-by-frame) animation is a general term for an animation technique
which makes a physically manipulated object appear to move. The object is moved by
extremely small amounts between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of
movement when the series of frames are played as a continuous sequence. Clay figures are
often used in stop motion animations, known as claymation, for their ease of repositioning.
frame : one of a series of still transparent photographs on a strip of film used in making movies
animation: Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D artwork or model
positions in order to create an illusion of movement. It is an optical illusion of motion due to the
phenomenon of persistence of vision. This could be anything from a flip book to a motion
picture film.
persistence of vision : A visual phenomenon where an image is retained in the eye for a short
period of time, creating an illusion of continuous motion in film and video.
plasticine: a synthetic material resembling clay but remaining soft; used as a substitute for clay
or wax in modeling
Resources to get you started
http://www.myptechnology.com/ ( A very useful website containing lots of useful information
about Design Cycle and how to make Design Folders )
http://www.technologystudent.com/ ( A good website containing explanations about how to
write a Design Brief and Design Specification - See the Design Process section )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_motion ( For an explanation about stop motion film making
)http://library.thinkquest.org/22316/home.html Collection of resources to help a beginner to
get started with stop motion animation – written in simple language
)http://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.11/2.11pages/2.11briertonani.html ( A little bit advancedexplanation from an expert in the field of stop motion animation -extra reading
)http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Stop-Motion-Animation ( How to create a stop motion
animation – a very good resource )
http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Clay-Animation ( How to create a clay animation – a very
good resource )
FOLLOW THE STEPS OF THE FLOWCHART – this should help you and we will keep returning to
these steps as we go through the unit.
Investigate
1. Identify the audience of your animation movie ( conduct interviews/surveys )
2. Brainstorm about the possible ideas for your animation movie and characters.
3. Conduct case study on animation movies and write down your observations.
4. Research about the how a stop motion animation film is made and document all findings in
your design cycle folder with sketches and explanations.
5. Study how a character can be made out of clay and other materials.
6. Study how a story board is made ( see the example below ) - the ideas that you get from here
should be used in the making of your story board.
7. List the materials available.
8. Write the design brief and design specification – HINT – read this handout…
Plan
1. Make your own story board (See the attached worksheet on how to make a story board )
2. Consider some design ideas for the character and sketch them ( four different design ideas ).
3. Decide about the best idea that you want to work on.
4. Decide on the specification (ex. Measurement,materials,shape ,colour etc..)
5. Write down a sequence of work.
6. Make a time line for your animated movie ( predicted time ) – use the gantt chart maker excel
file
Create a product or solution
1. Work methodically to produce the stop motion animated film.
2. Observe all the safety rules while working with the tools.
Evaluate
3. Identify any problems discovered during the activity.
4. Write down your observation about the product you made.
5. Suggest any improvements, which could be made to your product.
6. Show the film to your audience and write down their response.
Don’t worry you will
get a bigger flowchart
to work with
History of
Clay Animation
Clay Animation isn't really a new technique at all. Wallace and Grommet is a very successful later
example.
Technically, clay animation began a short time after the invention of a clay-like substance called
plasticine. Plasticine was invented in 1897, and one of the first actual films to use clay was in 1902
using clay for lightning sculpting. This was one of the first steps for clay animation, but it took six more
years to make a film that used clay animated sculptures. This happened in 1908 when A Sculptor's
Welsh Rarebit Nightmare was released in February.
Clay animation First, you should come up with an idea for a character, props, and a background. With
this information, come up with a storyboard for the idea to your movie. Your storyboard should include
the basic layout of what you want to happen in your movie. Most importantly, USE YOUR
IMAGINATION!! (You know, that thing that comes up with interesting and fun ideas that make
everything better than it would have been if you hadn't used it.) After creating your character in your
mind, start picking out your weapons (tools) and your colors and organize them as best you can, by
putting them in order of use.
Creating Your Character: Start developing your character with the clay you have, by forming the clay
into shapes that look like the character you created in your mind. Start with basic shapes and
eventually work your way to the more difficult details, such as: eye colors, teeth and mouth shapes, hair
shapes, and finger and toe shapes. Soon your character will start to form and become alive before your
eyes. Keep adding and adding and sculpting and sculpting and soon you can begin the process of
shooting your movie.
Props and Backround Settings: The props and background part of clay animation is probably the
second most improtant thing. It should be colorful and detailed. The props you use should look good
with the character and the background should be the setting of your character (where you want your
character to be). How you want your character to appear depends completely on its surroundings. For
example, if you want your character to stand out a lot, don't make the background full of bright colors
and too many scenes. If you don't want to make your character stand out then you need to use
overpowering colors and many scenes and images.
Color: When dealing with colors you need to use contrast. Don't make the character the same color as
the background or the character will never be seen. Also, make the clay stand out by using bright and
attractive colors instead of dull and ugly colors.
Preparation: Preparing to do a clay animation movie may be one of the hardest parts in the entire
process. Once you have your story board drawn out and completed along with your tools, the rest of
the process is relatively simple. Yet, the tools that you use in your movie can prove to be very
important. Now, the word "tools" doesn't necessarily mean whatever you can buy in a local art store.
Tools can be whatever you want them to be. Most clay animators find new things to use with each idea.
Don't feel limited as to what can be used in clay animation.
Creation of A Character: Once a character has been created and developed, that's all there is to it,
right? WRONG? Anyone can 'create' a figure, but it's what you do in your movie that turns that figure
into a character and brings it to life. Many different techniques may be used to do this. Try adding
movement to a character, or making your character talk.
Wires Are Your Friends: Wires? What do you mean, wires? Well, once you start moving characters
around in movies, wires will tend to become a required tool.By inserting wires into the actual clay (e.g.
lengthwise across the arm) you will be able to position and maneuver the clay much easier. Another
way of making use of wires is for holding up the clay (e.g. a foot is in the air). They are easier to edit out
than a finger or some large object. If a character is supposed to walk, get someone else to walk slowly
across the room in front of you. Note the body position and the motion. Then, try it using the clay. An
objective in clay animation (and in most types of animation) is to make the movements and overall
appearance look clean, realistic, and fluid as possible. As you progress in skill, there will be less jerky
movements in the clay animation film.
Sound: Sound is also an important part in clay animation. It is a wonderful advantage to a movie. If you
do choose to use sound then it should have something to do with the mood of the movie.
How To Shoot Your Character: One of the most important things in using a camera is becoming
familiar with it, especially if you are using a digital camera. Another important aspect is camera angles.
Many beginning animators make the mistake of shooting the entire movie from only one angle. Move
around taking shots of the same frame from different positions. Integrate these shots into your final
movie. We have the new WebCams to make your job easier.
When everything is in complete order and you have everything set up and ready to go, you will need to
start shooting your movie. Make sure your props, your background, and your charcter(s) are all in their
proper position. Then you will need to have a digital camera. A digital camera is probably best, because
it takes individual shots and is less expensive than the other cameras. Any format that you use, whether
it be a 8mm, 16mm, or a digital camera, make sure it has a program with it that allows you to import it
into the computer where you can manipulate your single frame pictures, picture by picture. Import
your pictures to Movie Maker for final editing
One Last Word: Okay, so it's not really one last word. But it may be the most important thing about
doing clay animation. JUST USE YOUR IMAGINATION!!! Okay, it sounds kind of fake, but it really does
mean quite a lot. To succeed in doing clay animation, all you really need to do is be creative. Don't
expect to have top-quality movies the first few times. Everything takes practice, and clay animation is
not excluded from this. Develop your own styles! Try different things! In clay animation, new
techniques and ideas are formed everyday. But it's up to you to find ways to make these ideas reality.
What does a story board look like ?
Story board making –
A storyboard is a story told
in pictures, like a comic
book.
Include an explanation
along with the storyboard.
The explanation should
include specific information
about what will appear on the
screen, the setting (where the
story takes place), the
dialogue (what the characters
say), where the characters
stand, how they interact with
each other, etc. should all be
included.
Before you create any piece of work first of all you need to work on an idea for a story. Write down a
list of characters you would like to have in your story, work out what is going to happen and give your
story a start, middle and end. Once you are happy with your story start to create your storyboard.
A storyboard is made up of a series of basic drawings showing the most important stages of the script
of your piece of work.
Make sure that your story has a
Beginning --------------Middle and ………………………….. End
Step 1 – Creating a plot or story line
Write down the plot or story line in a simple way on an A4 sheet paper.
Please remember to include the message you want to convey in the story line.
Sample:
The red clay is walking on the street
The red clay meets blue clay
They walk together
Suddenly they meet yellow clay and all of them walk together
Step 2 – Character design
Here you design the characters suitable for your story
Step 3- creating a storyboard – I will give you an outline to use
1. Sketch in pencil so you can make changes easily. Feel free to use any medium you are happy with professional storyboard artists use everything from magic markers to charcoal.
2. Scribble down short notes about what's happening in shot (e.g.. BOB enters )
3. Number your shots so that they can be quickly referred to on the shot list and during editing.
Citing your Sources:
It is essential to cite other peoples work that has helped you to form your own ideas. When you write a
report such as a Design Folder section it must be your own work, but that doesn't mean that you can't
use what other people have done to help you.
Citing other peoples work that has helped you gives those people credit, and helps you not to plagarise.
How?
We will go to the library and Mr. Kurt will speak to you about this – ALSO look at the 3 fold leaflet
available in rm205
Task Specific Rubrics-Stop motion film making (Technology )
Level
Investigate
Design
Plan
Create
*comprehensive brainstorm
* A story board with
explanations is included.
* Produces a step by
step plan that
contains a number of
understandable steps.
*product is clear example of
what was planned
* At least four sources are used. All the
sources are evaluated
5-6
* design brief clear& concise
*At least four different
designs for the character
are given
*interview/survey has introduction,
relevant questions, well presented with
excellent analysis/conclusions
* Each design is evaluated
against the design
specifications
*design specification contains at least 6
relevant pts
* The reasons for the
selection of a particular
design are given
* Very well written bibliography
following MLA guidelines
*Final design ( chosen
design ) conveys all
information to make
product
* A time line is present
with the scale clearly
marked .
* A list of material
requirements with the
quantity required is
given.
* a high level of skill has
been demonstrated working
with equipment / tools
*Attempts to do brainstorming
* At least three sources are used. Some of
the sources are evaluated
3-4
*Clear design brief
*interview/survey has conducted.
Results/Findings are not analysed.
*design specification contains at least 4
relevant pts
* Bibliography included, some essential
elements are missing.
Brainstorming not present
*An attempt to write design brief
1-2
*some evidence an interview/survey has
been conducted
* Some sources are used. Evaluation of
sources missing
*Attempts to write design specifications
* Very poorly written Bibliography .
0
No evidence of achievement
* At least three different
designs fro the character
are given
* Some designs are
evaluated against the
design specifications
* The reasons for the
selection of a particular
design are not properly
given
* Produces a step by
step plan that
contains some
understandable steps.
*product is a good example
of what was planned
* a good level of skill has
been demonstrated working
with equipment / tools
* A time line is present
(Gantt chart ) necessary
markings missing
* A list of material
requirements given
*Final design( chosen
design ) conveys most
information to make
product
* At least two different
designs are given
* Step by step plan lack
necessary details.
*product is a moderate
example of what was
planned
* Evaluation of designs
against the design
specifications missing
* An attempt to make a
time line.
* moderate level of skill has
been demonstrated working
with equipment / tools
* The reasons for the
selection of a particular
design are missing
* A list of material
requirements given
*Final design( chosen
design ) conveys some
information to make
product
No evidence of
achievement
No evidence of
achievement
No evidence of
achievement
Levels
Evaluate
A thorough and well set out evaluation that
comprehensively:
5-6
Attitudes in Technology
The student always displays:
*safe working habits
*evaluates quality of finished product
*a high level of involvement in the
learning process
*evaluates product as compared to design
specification/end user
*a collaborative approach to tasks
carried out in the class/ laboratory
*evaluates any modifications or improvements that
could be made to product
*an independent and resourceful
approach to his/her work
*has evaluated its function as a medium to create
awareness in a meaningful way
* a high level of organisation
* Evaluates performance of student in each stages
of the Design Cycle and suggests improvements
that could be made.
3-4
1-2
A moderate evaluation that attempts to :
The student displayed:
*evaluate quality of finished product
*safe working habits
*evaluate product as compared to design
specification/end user
*a good level of involvement in the
learning process
*evaluate any modifications or improvements that
could be made to product
*a collaborative approach to tasks
carried out in the class /laboratory
* evaluate its( product) function as a medium to
create awareness in a meaningful way
*an independent approach to his/her
work
* Evaluate performance of student in some stages
of the Design Cycle
* a good level of organisation
Incomplete evaluation
The student displayed an inconsistent
level of:
*safe working habits
*mentioned end product in regard to quality/end
user
*involvement in class
*collaboration with peers
*working independently
No evidence of achievement
0
*organisation
No evidence of achievement