The children like this one, but it can be tricky. You really must use a tripod, and I also draw a large box on the board, so that the children know where their screen is. The need to draw a little of their picture, take a photo, draw, photo and so on. The children get so excited about this one, that we often have a child in the photo, so I always remind them to wait until all is clear.
We also like to draw the picture and then erase a little at a time, especially with our finger. If you put the slides into MovieMaker backwards, it looks like finger is doing the drawing.
Once you have enough slides, open up Windows MovieMaker, insert all photos, set the time to 0.25 and you have your movie.
Wednesday 18 April 2012
Stop-Motion Using PowerPoint Animation
This is a fun way to show a story or even a concept. The children make a PP slide. They must make sure that their background and any extra objects are in the first slide. Add your object(s) that will move.
Then duplicate the slide, click on each object and use the arrow keys to move each object once.
Then duplicate the slide, click on each object and use the arrow keys to move each object once.
Keep duplicating each slide, moving your objects only a little. You will end up with many slides (at least 100).
Save your file. Then save it again, but this time save it as a .jpeg (JPEG) file. The computer will ask if you wish to save only one slide or all, save all.
Now you have your slides as pictures. Open up Windows MovieMaker, add pictures, change the speed to 0.25 and you have your movie.
Saturday 14 April 2012
Samples for Sharing
When we start a new project, I always share with the children what a possible finished project could look like. When possible, I also build at least part of a project with the children. I have included my samples of a graphic novel, with sound and animation, a stop-motion photo movie and an unfinished stop-motion cartoon.
Unfortunately, I can not share any of the student's work here.
Graphic Novel using a nursery rhyme:
Stop-Motion using Photos:
Stop-Motion Cartoon:
Unfortunately, I can not share any of the student's work here.
Graphic Novel using a nursery rhyme:
Stop-Motion using Photos:
Stop-Motion Cartoon:
Wednesday 11 April 2012
Stop Motion, Using People
This one is fun to do, but the most difficult. That is because people move! We practise walking like robots, and discuss using props (like chairs) to help us stay still. Having parents take the photos for this one helps, and you definitely want to use a tripod.
After brainstorming (or writing) what sort of story they could tell using people, the children get in their groups and start filming. They need to get set up, take a shot, move a tiny bit, shoot, move, and keep going. Again, at least 200 photos.
In the past, the children have made stop-motion animation videos of 'skating' down the hallway, magic (it is really easy to make things disappear), hopping up stairs, crazy classrooms, and vanishing students.
After brainstorming (or writing) what sort of story they could tell using people, the children get in their groups and start filming. They need to get set up, take a shot, move a tiny bit, shoot, move, and keep going. Again, at least 200 photos.
In the past, the children have made stop-motion animation videos of 'skating' down the hallway, magic (it is really easy to make things disappear), hopping up stairs, crazy classrooms, and vanishing students.
Monday 9 April 2012
Stop Motion, Using Objects
Using objects, I have the children take many (I tell them 200+) photos of objects. They are to move the objects a little bit each time. Using a tripod for your camera makes this work.
After taking all the shots, load them on a computer. Then transfer the files to Windows MovieMaker. Change the timing to 0.25. Longer works, but results in a choppy product.
Add titles and credits, and you have your movie. It really is that simple.
After taking all the shots, load them on a computer. Then transfer the files to Windows MovieMaker. Change the timing to 0.25. Longer works, but results in a choppy product.
Add titles and credits, and you have your movie. It really is that simple.
Stop Motion Animation
The children will recognize stop-motion movies from various cartoons and videos. I like to show them parts of the Claymation Christmas videos as inspiration. The musician Jeremy Fisher has created many of his music videos using stop-motion, including the one to Jolene.
One of the nicest things about creating these movies, is that they can be then shared via You Tube, copied on a flash drive to go home and they can also be burned onto a DVD so that people without a computer can still watch them.
After watching some videos from You Tube or past projects for inspiration, we get to work. For the first three projects below, we need to take many photos. The PP project is a little different, but still requires many pictures.
Once you have everything ready, you open up Windows Movie Maker and import your photos. You will need to set the timing to 0.25, add titles and credits and then save. As you are working on the movie, you can just save as you would save all documents (save project button). However, once you are finished and wish to save your final project you need to save a little differently.
You will need to save movie, and then select how to save it. I choose for computer as that lets me put the movies on flash drives, DVDs and anywhere else.
I have done four types of stop-motion animation with the children.
1. Using objects. This is easyish to do. I have the children use objects found in the class or from home. The possibilities are endless - one group played a soccer game using shoes and balls.
2. Using people. More difficult to do. I would recommend having a parent volunteer take the photos.
3. Using the white board. The children draw a little at a time. They really enjoy erasing a little at a time - makes for magic.
4. Using PowerPoint. Again, easyish to do. Once you teach the technique, it just takes time to produce.
One of the nicest things about creating these movies, is that they can be then shared via You Tube, copied on a flash drive to go home and they can also be burned onto a DVD so that people without a computer can still watch them.
After watching some videos from You Tube or past projects for inspiration, we get to work. For the first three projects below, we need to take many photos. The PP project is a little different, but still requires many pictures.
You will need to save movie, and then select how to save it. I choose for computer as that lets me put the movies on flash drives, DVDs and anywhere else.
I have done four types of stop-motion animation with the children.
1. Using objects. This is easyish to do. I have the children use objects found in the class or from home. The possibilities are endless - one group played a soccer game using shoes and balls.
2. Using people. More difficult to do. I would recommend having a parent volunteer take the photos.
3. Using the white board. The children draw a little at a time. They really enjoy erasing a little at a time - makes for magic.
4. Using PowerPoint. Again, easyish to do. Once you teach the technique, it just takes time to produce.
Graphic Novel, Adding Movement
One of the nicest things about creating Graphic Novels on the computer is what you can do with those early finishers. Sure they can help others, or create another novel, but they can also add animation to their existing novel. This is always a huge hit with the class!
I always have the children save their novel under a second name, such as ____ with movement. That way we can still print their original.
To add movement, the children need to select their creature (or what they are moving) and click on animations. I find that 'custom path' works the best. They then plan out where the object will move, draw this and double-click to finish. When viewing the PP as a slide show, their creature will now move, once you click on it.
The children really get into this part of the project. They enjoy having their characters come together, having them leave and making things move about. Once they know the basics, they play around and you will be amazed at what they can do.
I have shown the children how to do animations as we work through the novels, and they love this. I do find that some of the children get too caught up with moving things about, and don't remember to work on the rest of their novels.
I always have the children save their novel under a second name, such as ____ with movement. That way we can still print their original.
To add movement, the children need to select their creature (or what they are moving) and click on animations. I find that 'custom path' works the best. They then plan out where the object will move, draw this and double-click to finish. When viewing the PP as a slide show, their creature will now move, once you click on it.
I have shown the children how to do animations as we work through the novels, and they love this. I do find that some of the children get too caught up with moving things about, and don't remember to work on the rest of their novels.
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