Claymation Assignment

Objectives:

• to create a video clip of an animating model
• to study movement, sequencing and time
• to examine basic geometric and spatial concepts

The Students Will:

• understand the concept of order by sequencing a series of events
• describe the position of an object in relation to another object
• describe the geometric shapes that are used in their construction
• write a brief description of a story idea, characters and plot
• create a 2 dimensional illustration of their model(s)
• create a 3 dimensional model(s) from an illustration
• work co-operatively in small groups defining individual responsibilities
• design and manipulate plasticine materials
• create frames using a digital camera
• create a video clip
• use a set of criteria for evaluation of their claymation

Materials/Tools:

• pencil, paper, thin wire,poster board, colored markers, miniature
• plasticine
• eMac and digital camera
• iMovie

The Set-up:

• Students will either work indivdually or divide divide into groups of 2 - 3 students and brainstorm ideas for a story. It is recommended that the characters (people, animals, or objects) of the story be such that they can be easily turned into a three dimensional figure. Each student will be responsible for the design of their own character.
• Students will write a brief description of their story idea, the characters involved and the plot
• Students will write a script that in detail describes what the activity of each of the characters.
• Each student will design, on paper, their own character. Divide a sheet of paper into four quadrants.
  • the upper left quadrant will be used to draw a front view
  • the upper right quadrant will be used to to draw the right side view
  • the lower left quadrant will be used to draw the left side view
  • the lower right quadrant will be used to draw the back view.
• Students will create a storyboard (similar to a cartoon strip) in which the claymation story is drawn frame by frame.
• Students will create three dimensional interpretations of their drawings out of plasticine. It is at this time that students should make reference to the actual geometric forms in their construction and analyze how their shapes would relate to each other as their character moves. In addition, students must
• envision the back and the sides of their designed character because of the motions(flipping, turning) it will make during the animation.
• Students will create backgrounds/sets for their story.The background could be a photo, a drawing. or a photo collage or it could be a set which could include miniatures such as trees, cars, or buildings.
• Students will create a title/credit page.

The Movie:

• Students will create a grid on which the background and miniatures will be placed.
• Students will use the grid to identify the original position their characters and their subsequent positions as they move during the animation. This is critical because each character must be removed from the set each time it demonstrates some action and then replaced so that the next frame may be shot using the digital camera.
• Students must decide on an action and break it down into it’s basic parts. Before taking any pictures students should do a dry run during which either using their model or having themselves act out the character’s intended movements “frame by frame” or in slow motion so they can feel and understand the movement as it is broken down into its constituent parts.
• Students will chose a position for the camera such that the entire background or set is in view. This position will be marked so that the camera can be place din the exact position each time a picture is to be taken.
• Students will take a picture, move their models slightly and take another image. This process will continue until your story is complete.Students will take a minimum of twenty images which will yield about six seconds of animation. If students wish they can take asmany clips as they feel are necessary.
• Students will now use iMovie to create their video clip.