This is an animation class where students explore the hands-on process of Stop-Motion through setting up characters and sets, using Clay and other materials. They would be taking the digital snapshots and putting together/editing their film via computer or Smartphone. 📱

If you are looking for a shorter introduction to Stop-Motion, I also teach an 4-week course:
https://outschool.com/classes/intro-to-stop-motion-movie-studio-with-clay-lego(r)s-and-crafts-rrBgowzP?usid=fF9cKM18&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link

Example student videos from previous classes can be found online through the "Raytoons Channel" on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/raytoons

ITINERARY: 

【Day 1】
✔️	Introduction & Slideshow
✔️	Show sample films by students.

【Day 2】
✔️ Student watch example stop motion title animation videos.
✔️ Direct Instruction: Students will follow along (or just watch and do it after class)  as the teacher as he puts together a "title animation" for a Stop Motion film.
      * Direction Instruction includes instructions on how to use android cameras and software. 
✔️	Afterwards. students can work on their characters and backgrounds.

【Day 3】
✔️	Students watch some more stop motion "claymation" videos.
✔️	Students watch a video on how a claymation video is made.
✔️ Direct Instruction: Students will follow along (or just watch and do it after class) with the teacher as he films a "Claymation" Stop Motion scene.

【Day 3 or Day 4】
✔️	Students watch some more stop motion "puppet animation" videos. (Toys are considered a part of puppet animation.)
✔️	Students watch a video on how a puppet animation video is made.
✔️ Direct Instruction: Students will follow along (or just watch and do it after class)  as the teacher as he puts together a "puppet animation" for a Stop Motion film.

[Day 4 & Day 5]
✔️ Students will watch example videos about Rotoscoping.
✔️ Direct Instruction: Students will follow along with the teacher as he shows the process of adding Rotoscoping effects with Flipaclip.
✔️ First Rotoscoping Practice: Students design special effects to any videos that they have with Flipaclip.
      (For example, a learner could make it look like they are shooting lasers out of their eyes.)
✔️	Students are introduced to "Comica Video", which is a special effects program that converts video into a cartoon.
        (Using Comica Video is optional.)
✔️	Instructor will show students how to turn a video clip into a cartoon with Flipaclip.
        (If they used Comica Video to convert a video, they can improve the animation in Flipaclip.)

【Day 6】
✔️	Students watch some more stop motion "cut-out" videos.
✔️	Students watch a video on how a cutout video is made.
✔️ Direct Instruction: Students will follow along (or just watch and do it after class)  as the teacher as he puts together a "cut-out animation" for a Stop Motion film.

【Day 7】
✔️	Students watch some more stop motion "pixilation" videos.
✔️	Students watch a video on how a pixilation video is made.
📣	Pixilation involves using doing stop motion with an actual person instead of a toy. 
        If the another person isn't available for filming, the student can use other materials in his or her room.

【Day 8】
✔️	Students can finish their stop motion animation, if they are not finished. (They can also add a credits sequence at the end.)
✔️	Students nay add a song for video as well, if they have one.
✔️	Students have the option to share their films with the rest of the class.
✔️	If there is extra Time: They will watch films made by students in previous classes, and videos on the making of Stop Motion films.

🏗️ Materials Required:
✓ Smartphone or Tablet (Android or iOS)
    If you only have a computer, you could either run the android apps on your PC with BlueStacks: 
    https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/3-free-ways-to-run-android-apps-on-your-pc
    Or you could try installing a Stop Motion program for Windows: https://fixthephoto.com/best-free-stop-motion-software.html
    Here is a link to Stop Motion Studio on the PC or Mac: https://www.cateater.com/
✓ Lapse It or Lapse It Pro (to animate the student art)
    Stop Motion Studio is another program that works well: https://www.cateater.com/

🏗️ Highly Recommended Materials:
      (These materials are what most students will use in the class. But they are not required for the class.)
    ✔️ Modeling/Oil-Based Clay 
          (Modeling Clay is the best material for Stop Motion characters. But paper, Paper, toys -  or even people - can also be used.)
    ✔️ Colored Paper
    ✔️ Scissors
    ✔️ Large Box - For Setting Up Background
          (This might not be necessary if your scene is located outdoors or in your home.)
    ✔️Scotch Tape and Glue

📎 Suggested Materials:
    ✔️ Smartphone Camera Stand (If you are using a Smartphone and it doesn’t have a kickstand case)
    ✔️ Plastic construction toy blocks 
    ✔️ Toothpicks and paperclips
    ✔️ Tablecloth
    ✔️ Sculpting tools
    ✔️ Styrofoam, armature wire, and/or foil
    ✔️ Pipecleaners
    ✔️ Toys
    ✔️ Beads and/or Buttons
    ✔️ Scraps of cloth.

Optional: 
    ✔️ Flipaclip App Software (For Android or iOS)
    This animation software app has the ability to easily import Stop Motion videos and add some fun "rotoscoping" effects. 
    Rotoscoping effects work great with Stopmotion! You can use it to make Toy or Clay characters fire lasers! Or add explosions!
    (I also do a class on adding Rotoscoping effects with Flipaclip: https://outschool.com/classes/making-stunning-animated-effects-in-movies-intro-to-rotoscoping-BsAiRsio?usid=fF9cKM18&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link)

📢 Please install Zoom on the same device as the Lapse It Software. That way the instructor will be able to see what the student is doing and be able to help the student if they are having any difficulties. 

This is a LIVE class and is NOT pre-recorded.  
This class will be presented via cameras from the instructor. He will have one camera at his face and another will be at the table where he is demonstration his stop motion animation, so that the student can see the instructor as speaks, and be able to observe step-by-step what the instructor is doing. Students can interact with the instructor, as well ask ask questions during instruction. 

Students are expected to communicate with the teacher. Communication, visuals, and hands-on instruction are all the things that I are important in helping the students get a better understanding of the subject.