TWT2011-Storytelling+with+StopMotion+Animation


 * Session: 17. Storytelling with StopMotion Animation**
 * Presenter: Robin Lentz rlentz@hewittschool.org**
 * School: Hewitt School**

Digital storytelling is an expanding area of interest for educators. This art form allows students to demonstrate understandings in exciting ways and gives students a different mode of communicating their thoughts and ideas. Please join us for an introduction to using stop motion animation as a tool in the classroom. We will discuss the logistics of setting up and creating simple projects and how to share them once completed.
 * Description:**

Instructions for attendees: Feel free to download free trial versions of stop motion programs available in the market. (webcam required) We can try to produce simple movies at the session. Two examples are Claymation Studio for Windows and iStopMotion for Mac.


 * Download Claymation Studio for Windows
 * Download iStopMotion for Mac


 * Sample Cooperative Roles**:


 * Director**: the student who "wrote" the movie, decided the basic style of the film - (hands seen or unseen, music or narration, end credit style etc.). The director (writer) stands at the movie set and helps move pieces--but she is the ultimate decision-maker.


 * Crew**: all the students contributing either artwork/props or speech bubbles or titles - they often gather around and help with the tiny movements in between shots, and providing extra voices during narration.

(ie. Hands IN---move the pieces, Hands OUT--filming ONE TWO THREE...Hands IN--move the pieces, Hands OUT--filming ONE TWO THREE, etc.)
 * Director of Photography:** the student with the finger on the space bar. The D.P. is the only one talking - and sets the pace for filming

put masking tape on the space bar that says 'filming'--it's easier for the kids to remember which button to press aim your external webcam DOWN (well taped to a shelf above)--and block off movie set 'borders' with masking tape (why fight gravity?) direct children to look at SCREEN not at the table top when moving their creatures turn on //onionskin// feature to see ghost of last image--this will help you line objects up, and give you a better sense of how subtle your movements are three clicks per movement is a good pace--but click MORE TIMES on things that need to be read--speech bubbles, title, end credits, etc.
 * TIPS:**


 * an argument for cut paper animation rather than claymation: it's much easier for young children to DRAW the figure they are imagining than it is to SCULPT that same figure. Kids can feel more in control of the imagery--working with familiar materials (ie. marker, pencil, crayon, construction paper). Photographs and/or xeroxed copies can be incorporated as well.**

Sample Videos:

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Students at Work:**

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