Alex and Kierra had to miss Friday so our studio crew shot is short two artists.

Click on Victor's picture and artwork to check out his site.

*Most (maybe all?) of the above pics were taken by Corrine...great job! There's more photos to upload and will be on the site soon, so come back.

Welcome to your Bright Lights stop-motion production weblog!

We'll be adding to this blog during the week of class and it will stay online for the summer so you can share your work and visit whenever you want.
We'll tell you when it's time to say adios (goodbye) to the production blog.

Why stop-motion animation? Why not clay animation, puppet animation, 3-D animation or all the other names you've heard. Well, first thing Monday we'll talk about that and then get right into a hands-on demo so you can see what you'll be doing the rest of the week.

I set up a testing landscape to take pictures with and experiment.

Top pic: behind-the-scene shot of the setup. You can see the setting of the sand and trees, a frame to line-up camera angle, key light source, materials and white background to hide wall color.

Bottom pic: what the final shot looked like. See the blurry background? I took a close-up shot using macro on the camera so the everything behind the figure isn't in focus.

stop-mo video tests

tests with clay-only models, digital still camera and natural light.

Just downloaded stop motion pro trial to test it out...also, making a DVD to show clips from old VHS tapes I've had for many years. Winsor McCay, Ray Harryhausen and Lotte Reiniger. The Lotte Reiniger tape has a color documentary towards the end that explains how she did her cut-outs.

(click pic to enlarge)

Eadweard Muybridge's cat movement photograph

Class notes: act four...revisions and updates

Warning! A lot of reading down below...these are teacher notes...scroll down only if you want to learn more!
UPDATE: (green additions were added after week was over...these are additional thoughts on making the class better or elements to think about)
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It takes many steps to put together an animated project...mostly it takes patience. Here's a glance at the process of stop-motion animation:

Intro, your medium (materials like cut-outs, chalk or dry-erase, toothpicks, clay, objects, people), history of the art, cameras (angle of shot, composition, flash), studio, lighting (key light is main light, fill light and back light is high up, to the back towards camera), techniques with clay, models and wire frames, setting and props, special effects, movement, action and reaction, expressions, script (what's it about? your story to tell and ideas to convey or just abstract), story structure (something is in need so go and search then find and return...beginning-middle-and end), storyboard, characters and design, editing, sound and music, final product.

Technology & materials:

Cameras: digital still cameras with 512 mb memory cards. You can use a webcam with capture device or even an old 8mm film camera. (teacher note: "I'll be bringing in an old 8mm film camera and small projector so you can see it."). For computers, we'll be using Apple's imovie, iphoto and possibly idvd on Macs...HERE's a good tutorial on the process. HERE's Apple's site.

...might want to talk about Windows Movie Maker on PCs also...similar to imovie and any other easy and quick video editing programs available

Several tripods to keep cameras "locked-down" [also included the creative freedom to move camera...switch shots/angles, move in closer, gradual close-ups...], a 2-D ("clay painting") setup with lighting, materials for backgrounds and natural elements.

*We've setup the computers at our main learning site with a link to this site...just look for the green clay monster face on the main screen.

We'll burn (or create) DVD's with everyone's projects on Thursday after class so you can keep a copy to take home with you.

Animation principles:

squash and stretch, anticipation, follow-through and overlapping action, arcs, ease-in and ease-out, timing, secondary action, exaggeration, staging, straight ahead action, pose-to-pose, solid drawing and appeal in design.

Class notes:

Monday: started with making name tags, asking "what is stop-motion animation?", explaining Will Vinton's registered trademark "Claymation" was created for his process and instead we'll be using the word stop-motion (stop-mo, 3-D animation, clay animation...), show some pics (jpegs on CDR included...they will recognize some characters created in stop-mo but early stuff will surprise them...also had many "object" stop-mo work (food, sand, tools, objects) and fantasy Brothers Quay characters...really show them to spectrum of what stop-motion is about) of stop-mo, demo for sponsor where I took them through whole process: storyboard sketches, have fun with kids on what demo could be about...bouncing ideas off each other and what inspires the next idea and final story [they liked this part...when things started getting loose and fun...we elaborated on one idea to say, "okay, then how about this?" like Tex Avery's "Oh, No!" sessions where you build on ideas until you stop and say "Oh, No! we couldn't do that!"], showing the movement of clay character we'll use (*breakdown movement of a wave hello or walking or picking something up), explain clay-only or wire-frame, used digital still camera, everyone pitched in for effects and moves and we uploaded and edited in computer room so they could watch what we just shot; [**make sure they feel and understand transition of demo with what their group will create: "now you will create a project of your own...your favorite animals, things, ideas, characters and we start with your studio crew"] blue folders handed out for each group or "studio", break into groups based on name tag color or clay color, setup roles (director, camera, modeler, etc.) could add talk about consensus, working together, helping each other as a group/team...we used studio crew...started thinking about sets, props and included storyboard hand-out (included) so they started in. Walk around to each group asking about their roles, clean-hands for camera operators, modelers, set-up, direction they might need...NO equipment yet.
Tuesday: started with whole group and review of words, putting up signs and reminders, talked a lot about deadlines and how we have a Thursday deadline [count down on dry-erase board of hours], watch old stop-motion work like Ray Harryhausen fairytales, Winsor McCay, Lotte R, Clash of the Titans clip, Corpse Bride how-to, etc...talked about set and things we could use, mix it up, did another short demo with whole group using them and small bits of clay using monitor so they could watch at the moment [**might want to use this time for audio-syncing...demo and talk about mouth movements and sound effects they might want to synchronize with visual frames], get back into your group and start setting up your work area (table, props, art materials, clay and lighting [bring in colored gels and introduce key light lingo and mood and shadows]), production time, let them hang out as I feel as an artist this is when things happen between kids and story changes and ideas are created so be loose and let them goof around but corral them in when you want to move on or set direction, many kids wanted to go back to watching so I just played my mix of clips in the background...some watched and some worked at watched, some studio groups started shooting with camera after demo of how camera works, [they need to each get approved before they get camera...what's their story, characters, props, sets, any dialogue? roles, etc.] got their tripod and many were very itchy to start in and get going...always connecting with each kid and group and making sure you talk the right lingo and artist speak...don't talk down to them just ask, "what's this shot? let's do an experiment and see what it will look like...are you putting a wire-frame in this character or is he out of shot? bring in the camera closer so you don't see the wall...more detail on background, lock camera down..." etc...[hit home the language all the time...their immersion includes the professional language artists use...like stop-motion instead of the registered tm claymation...glossary words, programs used...keep things open as well so they can come to YOU and ask questions...don't be cut and dry and have every minute planned out! don't kill it...creative freedom]
Wednesday: continued with productions...played Clash of the Titans is background for anyone to watch when they could, [several kids commented on how it was cool to have time to just work on their clay figures and settings and hang out] editing and other post-production work was in full gear as each "studio" or group finished up shooting and went in with Diego (or current computer instructor) to begin editing and learning imovie and iphoto...I brought in some foley type items into computer room (cardboard tubes, gels to crinkle, tripod legs for clashing swords, etc..this really inspired them...don't take things for granted...kids don't always make these types of connections so tell them they can create sounds from these type of things like foley artists do) to create sounds they wanted, voice recording, shot some pixillation outside with kids as stop-mo subjects...they really had to know movement breakdown to freeze take picture then move again[more about this...this worked well and can be exaggerated and elaborated on...makes them move and get outside to "select" their own shooting location]..dry-erase art, flip books, stay busy box [make a bigger stay busy box! this worked well and could work even better] with clay, animated snacks was talked about (with goldfish crackers), bring in cds with sounds and music for Thursday...
Thursday...we talked so much about the deadline and now it's here! I first told the whole group how crazy today will get and how we need to make it flow easy, shift roles, work, and stay busy if another group is editing or you can't get what you need immediately. We went right into where we left off Wed. and got back to work...editing, sound recording, titles, shooting more video shorts, watching some movies, send one of the kids with a camera to take shots of snack break and friends to use for our web site, sign-making and ticket making for Friday...[reminder of premiere time for Friday and what we'll be doing] [might talk about wrap-party idea]
Friday...last day! We'll talk to the group, take group photos, create new DVD covers, show the final DVD so the kids can see their work, wrap party, take home flip books, clay erasers, clay, and more if they can distribute it...get ready for parents (talk to each one about what their child was into and what they did over the week) and folks coming to see their kids and all the work they created!

Glossary words (*=a word we stressed a lot or used often)

air-dry clay--just like it sounds...a clay (like activ-clay) that you can leave out and in a day and it will harden. You can keep it covered to continue and work on something.

*angle--The position from which the camera shoots the action. High, middle or low angle?

*animation--images that are slightly different in their placement but when shown in order give the illusion of motion

armature--see wire-frame.

claymation--a trade marked name created by Will Vinton for his clay animation work...his studio is now run by new people including "Nightmare Before Christmas" director Henry Selick

clay painting--clay is placed on a FLAT surface and moved like paints...some of the clay can also be built up towards camera. Joan Gratz was one of the first animators to use this technique.

close-up--a camera shot that is near your object showing a lot of emotion or detail

compression--"Reducing the size of image files using software that either stores data efficiently or discards details that you may not be able to see."

crop--To delete unwanted areas of an image...could be top, bottom or sides.

cut or edit--a change in what the viewer sees...a long shot cuts to a close-up...a sudden change in the film...cut is also used to stop camera, yell "cut!"

cut-out animation--pieces of paper, sometimes with images on them, can be animated with stop-motion on a flat surface.

*deadline--The point in time by which a project MUST be completed. For example: "We have to get this video done...our deadline is the end of class on Thursday!"

dialogue--spoken lines in a film

director--The person responsible for overall artistic control of all phases of project

file format--The form in which a digital image is stored and handled. JPEG is most common for photographers

final cut--The finished show when the director and producers agree to stop editing and start showing! See also: in the can

*frame--a single image captured by the camera

genre (zhawn-ruh)--This is what type of movie or project you're doing. It's from a French word meaning 'style' or 'type'.

"The category a story or script falls into - such as: thriller, comedy, action, horror."

in the can--When your project is in the can, it's completely finished and ready to show.

jpeg--The image file format most frequently used for digital photographs...this also includes GIF and TIFF.

*macro--close-up photography...really close-up!

onion-skinning--"Frame-by-frame animation can be difficult when you're working on one frame at a time with no references for the previous or next frames. In traditional animation, this problem is solved by the use of light desks or tables, which let you see through multiple layers of paper...in digital forms, onion-skinning is an effect that shows a range of frames both before and after your current frame, sometimes progressively fading them out as if they're layered on translucent paper on top of each other, or "onion-skinned", letting you easily know where your movements are and what you need to do.

persistence of vision--effect when the brain is fooled by images flashing on screen...mind thinks their "moving" when played fast enough

"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."

pixillation--where humans and objects are treated as animation objects...make your shoes, guitar, toys, pencils, or books move.

*plasticene (plas-tah-seen) clay--called a modeling clay...it's an oil-based clay that never hardens...we'll be using the excellent and colorful claytoons brand.

*plot--The specific pieces of the story chosen to tell the main characters story to the audience. The main plot presents the set-up, progression, and resolution of the conflict between the central/hero character (protagonist) and the villian (antagonist). The antagonist represents the opposition against which the heroes and/or protagonist must conten

polymer clay--like plasticene but once you're done modeling you CAN bake your creation. Super Sculpey and Fimo are popular brands.

*premiere--The first showing of your finished project.

*scene--A shot, or series of shots, that together make up a single, unified event, action, unit, or element of film narration, or segment of story within film. The end of a scene is often indicated by a change in time and/or location.

*shoot or shot--what the camera creates and records...can be the action of the camera...you take a shot of your character, setting, prop and so on. The shot can be at different angles, heights, colors, etc.

*soundtrack--Audio is an important part of your project that adds to every moment you've created...sound is everything you hear: voice, effects (door slam, squeaks, footsteps), nature and music. If you choose to add sound think about the mood you trying to express. Scary? Romantic? Adventure? Weird?

"Now you can spice up your movies with an element of fun or drama, using a whole array of cool sounds. You’ll have a blast making your friends shiver involuntarily with the sound of a cold wind or an eerily squeaking door. You can add the rumble of a steam locomotive thundering by, or have a clap of thunder reverberate during a scene. Want to add the roar of a tiger or the crackle of electricity to a movie? It’s easy with iMovie 3.

iMovie gives you three ways to add sound to your movie: You can use one of the sound effects included with the application, you can add a track from a music CD or from your iTunes music library or you can record your own voice over."

*stop-motion--an animation technique which makes static objects appear to move. The object is moved by little amounts between individually photographed frames, producing the effect of motion when the series of frames is played back at normal speed.

*story--see plot

*storyboard--all major camera shots and story elements are visually illustrated in the order they will appear in your project. Each image is in a box (or on a card), a lot like a comic...the boxes contain sketches that show what will happen in each frame, where characters come into the story, and where the settings change...makes it easier to plan and shoot your project.

"A series of sketches, similar to a comic strip, which outlines the action and dialogue in a scene. These drawings would be pinned up on a bulletin board and arranged, re-arranged and replaced as the story took shape. Early rough storyboard sketches are referred to as Thumbnails, while more detailed drawings would be called Finished or Final Storyboard Panels."

*synchronize--(audio-synch, lip-synch and other sound applications)...matching what is heard with what is seen...record or find your sounds/noises that you want to synchronize with your animation to both visual frames and audio

tie-downs--whatever it takes to keep your character in place while shooting and creating movement. There are a lot of ways to keep them from falling over: pin in foot, bolts, magnets, carefully place wax or tape, rod in back or fine fishing line.

*visual effects--Things done to spice up your movie during the shoot (or post-production...meaning after the shoot) to create illusions, such as snow, lasers, fire, leaves falling, smoke, and flying.

voice-over--When you hear but do NOT see the narrator.

*wire-frame--A wire-based figure helps keep the clay in place and makes it easier to move the different parts of your character. Some of your projects might have clay-only models in them, but if you want something to walk or have a lot of movement, you'll need a wire-frame or armature.

wrap party!--This is when you celebrate after shooting is completed to say thanks to everyone for their hard work.

Zoetrope--one of the first animation/moving images "toys" created by George Horner (see artistic contributors list for link). Here's a link to more optical toys.