Filming your sequence

ICT, Art and Design

Subjects

Stop motion, frame, narration, dialogue, storyboard, credits, props

Key words

• To create a stop-frame animation.• To work in a small group and take turns to

assume the assigned roles in the process.

Learning objectives

Lesson activityStarter: Preparation for filming

Working in their assigned groups ask children to set up their background scenes and props in accordance with their storyboards.

Ensure each camera is set up at the best possible angle to capture the best photograph. You may want to mark the position of each group’s camera to ensure that they know where to return this to in the event of it being accidentally moved.

For the same reason, children may also want to mark out positions of any props they are using.

Re-cap that they will be capturing as many frames as they can within the allocated time.

Nominate a role for each group member, with the instruction that roles are swapped every few frames to ensure all group members have a turn at all jobs.

Task 1 and 2: Filming

Once groups have set up their first frame, they should take the first picture (carefully ensuring not to move the position of the camera).

Then the child nominated to animate the character and setting should move the character on a tiny bit so the photographer can take the second frame. Groups can be encouraged to move more than one thing in each frame.

Ensure that groups continually refer to their storyboards to ensure they keep their sequence on track.

Once all frames have been shot, children can create a credits page which will show at the end of their sequence to credit the members of the group.

Lesson plan 4 : page 1

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Filming your sequence (cont.)

Lesson activityEditing the movies

Following this lesson, groups should import their final work into a movie maker package. This will show the results of all their hard work!

Most movie maker software options allow sound to be added; this is where sound effects and dialogue can come in. Alternatively you can even encourage children to create live sound effects as the sequence plays.

Plenary: To further reinforce the process of creating stop frame animation, ask children to write some simple instructions explaining the method of creating a sequence. The instructions should be written as if they will be read by someone who has never attempted stop frame before.?

Cross-curricular /extension opportunities:

Numeracy: children can time their finished sequences to see how long it is. Using this calculation they can then be set mathematical questions relating to the number of frames required to create sequences of different lengths.

Numeracy: Once the total running time of the sequence has been calculated, questions relating to time can also be posed, such as; what time would you need to start the screening in order to finish at 3.30?

Children can put together publicity materials for a special screening for parents. They can be tasked with making flyers and posters to promote the event and use the screening as a school fundraiser.

This lesson requires groups to film their short sequence stop-frame. Each group will need a digital camera or tablet (preferably with a small tripod).

You may find that additional spot lighting is required at each work station to ensure the set is adequately lit. Pupils working with the split-pin characters may wish to animate and film their sequence from above.

Once groups have taken all their frames, their work can be uploaded onto a computer and imported into a movie maker package. There are many free movie maker software options available online including I Can Animate and Stop Motion Pro.

Homework Notes

Lesson plan 4 : page 2

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