This is an animation club where students explore the hands-on process of Stop-Motion through setting up characters and sets, using construction blocks, Clay, and other materials. Students will also have discussions with the instructor and other students on different ways to achieve certain special effects... For example, how to make a character look like they are flying.

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

ITINERARY: 
What the students would be doing during each club meeting...
✓ 	Discussions on how to achieve certain animated affects, such as...
        * How do I make a character look like they are flying or jumping?
        * How do I make an explosion?
        * How do I create forests and water?
        * How do I make eyes for my Claymation characters? How do I make them blink?
        * How do I make construction blocks stand without a base plate?
        * How do I make characters climb walls?
✓ 	Students have the option to share their films with the rest of the class.
✓ 	Watching example Stop-Motion film shorts (or parts of larger Stop-Motion films).
        * They will also have the option to watch films made by learners from previous classes.
✓ 	Watching behind-the-scene videos for Stop-Motion movies.

- 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, construction blocks, 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

- Other recommended Materials:
    ✓ Smartphone Camera Stand (If you are using a Smartphone and it doesn’t have a kickstand case)
    ✓ Construction 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 construction block 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.