Animation for Education Brendan Routledge E2BN Consultant

Animation is the process by which we see still pictures MOVE Each picture is shot on film one at a time and is shown at the rate of 25 pictures per second making the pictures appear to move What is animation?

Why use animation? Increase in creativity and imagination – literacy/story done through animation offers great opportunity for discussion Great opportunity to develop interesting approaches to ‘multimodal’ writing – better than PowerPoint! Huge increase in motivation esp. for boy’s writing Chance to develop personal / social skills / teamwork Chance to develop ICT skills in an exciting, interesting context

There are four basic techniques used in animation Drawn animation Cut-out animation Computer animation or computer generated imagery (CGI) Stop-motion or model animation Animation techniques

Drawn animation This covers any form where one drawing is replaced by another in a sequence. Each drawing is slightly different from the one before. It works the way a flip book does. These animated films are made up of thousands of drawings which are shown on screen very quickly one after the other Looks great and is very easy Very labour intensive

Cut-out animation This covers any form of animation where cut-out shapes are moved around or replaced by other cut-outs. Flat objects like buttons, matchsticks and string can also be used in this form of animation. Cut-outs can also be laid on top of drawings Quick and easy to create Can appear stiff & awkward

Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) This refers to the drawing of three-dimensional models and sets on the computer. Images can be scanned into the computer using digital photography or made within the computer itself. Human characters can be built from clay whilst sets and furnishings are modelled using design systems similar to architects drawings. These models are scanned into the computer as wire-frame models which are gradually built up into a coloured and textured form which will finally be recorded onto film Creates very lifelike animation Expensive Toy Story = $30 million

Stop-motion animation This involves the filming of puppets or any form of three-dimensional models. The materials used could include plasticine, clay or wire - in fact anything that can be bent or formed into another shape. The puppets are positioned and filmed before being moved ever so slightly and filmed again. These shots are put together as a piece of film and will give the impression of the models moving Same models can be used again and again Extremely time-consuming – Nick Park = 3 seconds per day

Stop-motion animation How we created ‘A Saint’s Revenge’

Stop-motion animation How we created ‘A Saint’s Revenge’ Write a new story or access an existing story – a myth or legend or folktale from your area – e.g. E2BN Myths & Legends site Amend your story – create a version suitable for filming Create a storyboard outlining the key scenes of the film – shot types Produce a list of characters and props which need to be made Create the characters, props and backgrounds Film the story, scene by scene Post-production work – voice-over, titling, music

Stop-motion animation The story See – use the text of one of the stories andhttp://myths.e2bn.net amend it create version which can be filmed

Stop-motion animation Create a storyboard outlining the key scenes of the film – shot types Produce a list of characters and props which need to be made

Create the characters, props and backgrounds Stop-motion animation Use oiled plasticine rather than clay – remains workable for much longer Start with basic shapes- spheres, cylinder, cubes Make characters approx 15cm/6 ins tall Keep legs short to support body and head Consider how to create expressions – eyes, mouth, hair – make them moveable and removable Make two sets of eyes, mouth etc Shoot against plain backgrounds or large images

Stop-motion animation Film the story, scene by scene Many software titles available including DigiBlue and Xipster Instant Animator Can use simple and cheap webcam Take 1 shot per movement or 2-3 for slower action Start and end with images with no action Include occasional pause – 8 – 10 shots Blinking – take eyes off, 2 shots, eyes back on Keep movements very small

Stop-motion animation Post-production work – voice-over, titling, music Post-production work can be done in Windows MovieMaker Add titles at beginning and credits at the end Use text to move the story on – silent movie style! Record the voice-over in sections Add sound effects if needed – Add intro music if needed –

Contacts & Further Help Film Education – Anim8ed - Animation for Education - British Film Institute – Tech4Learning – Myths & Legends – E2BN Gallery – Audio Networks – Xipster available from Oiled plasticine from Newclay Products Ltd. – E2BN – Brendan Routledge –

Animation for Education Brendan Routledge E2BN Consultant