1	Animated Language Clay Animation in the Classroom http://education.wichita.edu/claymation Tonya Witherspoon Wichita State University tonya.witherspoon@wichita.edu Gail Boddy Stucky Middle School, Wichita Public Schools gnboddy@cox.net
2	StopMotion Animation Persistence of Vision Illusion of movement from a series of slightly different still images played at a certain speed to fool your brain Flip books Take a series of still photos Use software to play them back at a frame rate that is fast enough to simulate motion Examples Wallace and Grommit Chicken Run
3	Create a Clay Worm and Set Roll balls of clay Thread onto pipe cleaner Add details (eyes, antenna…) Design and color folder for a set
4	Connecting Webcam Plug into USB port Make sure Windows recognizes camera Start SMA Do you see an image in your preview window? Drag to make window larger OR Special/Video Window Size 640 x 480
5	Using SMA Settings Options/Capture Options Frame Rate – 10 (for a smoother video choose a higher frame rate – file will be larger) Grab – 3 Video Format 640 X 480 OK Compression – Make sure you use the codec required for your video editing software Windows Movie Maker 2 – Microsoft Video 1
6	Using SMA Start – Takes the first photo and begins the movie Grab – takes another photo (we set grab to take 3 frames at a time) Movement – Move figure small amounts! Play – At any time push the play arrow to preview your animation Done – Don’t click until YOU ARE DONE! Saves all of the photos together in a movie file (AVI) DON’T CANCEL or you will lose your file! Until you click Done ALL of your project is in RAM Save frequently! Create shorter scenes of no more than 75- 100 photos
7	Create a Worm Movie Check lighting Set up camera – focus, SMA settings Take 4 photos Worm flat Worm half arched Worm full arch Worm half arched Play movie preview – looped
8	Brainstorming and Storyboarding Think of an idea Characters – limit number of characters Setting Plot – keep it short Create a storyboard or an outline of the action
9	Create Clay Figures Armature – pipe cleaners or wire, foil, Styrofoam Thin skin of oil-based non-hardening clay (Van Aken, or Claytoons) Stability – big feet, magnets Details Wiggly eyes or beads Garlic pressed clay hair Facial features: lips, ears, eyebrows Pockets, buttons, etc.
10	Sets File folders, shoeboxes, tri-fold boards Scale, proportion 3-Dimensions – remember the foreground Color – contrast characters and other objects with background Paper, fabric, glue, little toys, anything can be used Make changes to sets by flipping to the back or clipping on paper insert
11	Lighting Constant source of lighting Indirect – bounced Clip on shop lamps Beware of shadows – these cause flickering strobe-like effects! People walking by, people leaning over, clouds going by-- all change the lighting.
12	Digital Cameras Webcams – cheap, immediate feedback, small files, SMA creates an immediate movie file Digital Cameras – wait to see the photos until downloaded, bigger files, extra step putting the photos into a movie file Digital Video Cameras – must take individual photos, extra step to download and create movie, big files
13	Capture Software SMA – Stop Motion Animator for Windows FREE iStopmotion –FREE Lite Version for Mac and works with iMovie StopMotion Pro for Windows – includes movie editing features $98 (education) FrameThief for Mac – includes movie editing features $35 (education)
14	Video Editing Remove frames with hands Copy & Paste to lengthen a repeated sequence Titles Credits Effects Narration – Sound should be added after all changes have been made to the visual! Music
15	Materials Clay – oil-based, non-hardening (Van Aken, Claytoons) Armatures – wire, pipe cleaners, foil, Styrofoam Art Supplies – paint, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, construction paper, etc. Sets – cardboard, folders, shoeboxes Sculpting tools – garlic press, pasta maker, popsicle sticks, plastic knives, rolling pin, baby oil Misc. Supplies – baby wipes, cookie sheets, wax paper, Ziploc bags
16	Process or Production? What is your primary learning objective? Research and study a topic Experience visual language Group collaboration and extension of a topic Create a final product for parents, administrators, showcases…? Your primary objective will determine the scope of your production.
17	Classroom Management Group or individual activity Teachers could collaborate (Language Arts, Computer Studies, Art, Social Studies, Science…) One computer and one camera for the entire class OR one computer and camera per group or individual
18	Tips Start SMALL and don’t count on a production piece Storage – shoebox, Ziploc bags, place to keep everything safe Keep surfaces and hands clean File management – where are they going to save their files? File sizes – Storage room goes fast End product – CD, VHS, Web Procedures – this can be messy and time consuming
19	Curriculum Connections Cross Curricular – processing and synthesizing information and creating a visual representation Language – writing, reading, details, outlining Mathematical – logic, sequencing, problem solving, and spatial skills Collaboration Creativity Appeals to multiple intelligences
20	Curriculum Connections Animate a process http://www97.intel.com/education/odyssey/day_223/day_223.htm Communicate research or information http://teachnet-lab.org/santab/claymation.htm Retell a novel or story http://education.wichita.edu/claymation/videos7.html Animate a poem or song http://www.tech4learning.com/pdfs/claykit/personification_poetry.pdf Standards and Learning Goals http://tech4learning.com/claykit/standards.html
21	Questions?? http://education.wichita.edu/claymation Tonya Witherspoon Wichita State University tonya.witherspoon@wichita.edu Gail Boddy Stucky Middle School, Wichita Public Schools gnboddy@cox.net