Weekly Class Activities

Throughout this workshop the teacher demonstrates techniques such as "implied" motion, and full-motion "cycles".
Students develop unique ideas and props, and create their animated sequences with original artwork they create.  

NOTE: All class activities will cycle back to the beginning every four weeks, or be variated spontaneously depending upon the skill level of each week's group of students.  Over a four week period, eventually each exercise will be introduced and practiced in class.


1. Week of Dec. 5th:    

- Brainstorm your stop-motion ideas

Following a brief lecture and examples, each student will verbally and visually act-out scenarios which can be realistically animated while receiving feedback from others.  They also consider props, lighting, and other photographic requirements.


2. Week of Dec. 12th:

- How to shoot a live stop-motion scene

The teacher demonstrates pre-production and photographic techniques to achieve the illusion of live stop-motion.  Students apply paper objects to the wall (or whiteboard) and photograph unique visual choreography.


3. Week of Dec. 19th:    

- Simulating gravity with stop-motion

Using a blank wall or large whiteboard background, students learn to repeat techniques demonstrated by the teacher.  They learn to create the visual illusion of weight or gravity as they interact with paper props in each stop-motion photo.


4. Week of Dec. 26th:
  
- Photograph a repeating stop-motion "cycle" 

Combining new skills, each student begins photographing an animated sequence that features a repeating "cycle".  Students learn the importance of consistent movement, frame rates, and lighting.