The Ultimate Brick Toy Stop-Motion Moviemaking + Editing Experience! (Semester)

CLASS FORMAT OVERVIEW
This class meets once weekly for a full 12-week semester. Between each class, Learners will be assigned 1-2 hours of work towards making their movie, which they will need to submit as "homework." It's important that Learners have the time and commitment to doing the work between meetings in order to have a successful experience in this class.

TECHNOLOGY NEEDS
Learners must have access to all of the following items:
1. A Windows or Mac computer with the free HitFilm Express editing software installed. (Instructions will be provided.)
2. A phone or tablet with the free Stop Motion Studio app installed. (Compatible with Apple or Android devices.)
3. A tripod, grip, or homemade stand to hold the phone/tablet upright, in landscape mode (Google "homemade phone stand" for easy ideas)
4. Any of their favorite brick toys or miniatures to use in animation
5. (If needed) An adult in the home who is proficient at tasks like uploading and attaching files, and available to help your Learner if necessary. Instruction will be provided, but some Learners benefit from additional in-person help when these tasks are new to them.

**For FAQ about other technology, see Supply List.**

CLASS SCHEDULE:

*WEEK ONE
Students will learn the history and mechanics of stop-motion animation, and how it applies to the modern animation techniques they will use in their filmmaking. Next, they will break down the elements of storytelling, and will outline stories for their own short movies. Last, students will watch a live in-class demo of how to animate their toys, including best practices for lighting, in-camera effects, and shooting techniques. 

*AT HOME - WEEK ONE
After the first meeting, students will shoot their movies using the techniques learned in class. They are asked to do at least one hour of focused shooting, with the goal of producing about 200 frames to make an animated movie about 30 seconds long.

*WEEK TWO
Students will share the footage they shot as homework, and will learn how to give one another positive feedback. Then they will watch a live demo of how to edit their films using HitFilm Express. 

*AT HOME - WEEK TWO
Using the techniques they have learned, students will need to spend 1-2hrs editing their project on HitFilm Express to create a "rough cut" of their film. 

*WEEK THREE
Students will share their rough cuts and give positive feedback. They will be given final suggestions and additional techniques for polishing their films. 

*AT HOME - WEEK THREE
Students are asked to spend additional editing time as needed to polish and finalize their films. (Approx. 1-2hrs)

*WEEK FOUR
Movie watching party #1! Students will share their finished first projects with each other and celebrate their hard work. 
(Note: Day Four is shorter, just 30 minutes instead of 60.)

*WEEK FIVE
Students will begin their second movies! They will learn about cinematography and shot types, and how to incorporate them into their moviemaking. Next, they will use their knowledge of story structure and camera angles to plan their own movies. Last, students will watch a live in-class demo of how to shoot a stop-motion animated movie using a greenscreen. 

*AT HOME - WEEK FIVE
After the first meeting, students will shoot their new movies using the techniques learned in class. They are asked to do at least one hour of focused shooting, with the goal of producing about 200 frames to make an animated movie about 30 seconds long.

*WEEK SIX
Students will share the footage they shot as homework, and will learn how to give one another positive feedback. Then they will learn how to start editing their greenscreen footage.

*AT HOME - WEEK SIX
Using the techniques they have learned, students will need to spend 1-2hrs editing their project on HitFilm Express to create a "rough cut" of their film. 

*WEEK SEVEN
Students will share their rough cuts and give positive feedback. They will be given final suggestions and additional techniques for polishing their films. 

*AT HOME - WEEK SEVEN
Students are asked to spend additional editing time as needed to polish and finalize their films. (Approx. 1-2hrs)

*WEEK EIGHT
Movie watching party #2! Students will share their projects with each other and celebrate their hard work. 
(Note: Day Eight is shorter, just 30 minutes instead of 60.)

*WEEK NINE
Students will begin planning their third and final movies of the semester! They will learn about Keyframing to make things fly (!) and how to incorporate it as they plan their newest projects.

*WEEK NINE - AT HOME
Students will spend 1-2hrs to shoot their newest movie projects and capture the elements necessary for Keyframing. 

*WEEK TEN
Students will share the raw footage of their newest movies, and then learn how to Keyframe their projects in HitFilm Express.

*WEEK TEN - AT HOME
Students will complete the Keyframe editing of their projects.

*WEEK ELEVEN
Students will share their edits-in-progress and discuss final items needed to polish and finalize their films, including color adjustments and filter options.

*WEEK ELEVEN - AT HOME
Students will make final polishes and edits for their third and final movies.

*WEEK TWELVE
Movie watching party #3! Students will share their newest projects with each other and reflect upon their hard work and new knowledge from the semester.