CREATIVE AND MEDIA PRODUCTION LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA Stop Motion Animation & Working to a Brief Unit 33: LO1; LO2; LO3; LO4 Unit 5: LO1; LO2; LO3; LO4 Sarah Wilson & Adam Jones Date Issued: Monday 4 th January 2016 Final Deadline: Friday 11 th March 2016
Aim and Purpose This unit aims to develop learners skills in the production of stop motion animation, using traditional frame by-frame methods to animate 3D materials such as objects, puppets, clay figures and other models. They will work the whole process of working to a brief, from initial negotiations through to completion of the work. Unit Introduction Animation has become an increasingly important media form and examples can be seen in formats as different as advertising, feature films, mobile phone content, the internet and television. The industry includes both large and small production companies working on stop motion animation projects using a range of formats and for a variety of purposes. Animation on all scales requires people with fresh, exciting ideas for new work, whilst larger companies will also need individuals with specialist skills, such as model making. This unit aims to extend learners competence in all stages of the stop motion animation of models (the term model being used in this unit to include the objects, puppets or figures used as characters in a stop motion animation). Learners will work on design, character, setting and narrative, whilst also developing a range of production techniques. Point of view, lighting and movement, such as walking and lip synching, are key issues in this unit. Stop motion animation involves developing creative ideas for character, setting and storyline which will engage the chosen audience. Learners will be encouraged to experiment with both content and technique. As essential background, learners need to research the content and production techniques used in both historical and contemporary examples of work, and to understand such things as persistence of vision, frame rates, stop-frame techniques, model making and sets. As they follow the unit, learners will increasingly recognise the need to keep their intended audience constantly in mind, and to take into account, at all stages, the role of animation as communication. To encourage this recognition their animation work will be exhibited to audiences after completion and audience responses evaluated. Guidance: Create tabs on website Unit 33 & U5 Introduction to Unit Task A Task B Task C Task D Task E Referencing: Please make sure all research is referenced any work being plagiarised will fail http://www.wikihow.com/cite-a-website - Guidance can be found here
U33 LO1: Understand the techniques and development of stop motion animation U5 LO1: Understand the requirements of working to a brief Deadline: Friday 29 th January 2016 LO1 Aim: Comprehensively explain the techniques and development of stop motion animation with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly. LO1 Aim: Comprehensively explain the requirements of working to a brief with elucidated examples. Task Description: Before you start making animations, you need to understand how it works! In this section you will look at the pioneers who helped make animation possible, right through to more contemporary animators who are winning Oscars for their work. Through looking at a variety of different techniques, genres and forms of animation, you will be fully prepared to start creating your animation. You will be able to demonstrate this understanding of animation through a choice of presentation formats.
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TO BE UPLOADED INTO INTRODUCTION TO UNIT TAB Task 1: Interesting Materials Watch the animations provided on the Interesting Materials PowerPoint. Directly on Weebly - pick the 3 animations which you think are most effective and upload them onto your page. Discuss the pros of using these methods. Find at least 2 more different examples for your chosen 3 methods and discuss who created them. What genre would your chosen materials work with best and why? (advert / music video etc..) Task 2: Pioneers of Animation Research Task You need to create a PowerPoint on the 7 key pioneers of animation. For each pioneer, you need to find the following: Who they are and what they created A picture of that person A YouTube clip of their work Information on that piece of work If possible, find someone talking about that person and what they did for moving image. Task 3: Contemporary Animators You need to research TWO contemporary animators in detail. For each animator, you need to find the following: Make detailed notes on each animator (where they started out, what they have created ) Find examples of their work and upload the links Discuss awards they have won Find newspaper / magazine articles on them and print screen Evaluate their work by discussing what you like about it.
Task 4 (a): The Importance of a Creative Brief Read over the two briefs and answer the following questions: 1. Highlight the important sections of these briefs which you think will help you to produce this product. 2. Which brief do you prefer? 3. Why? What are the main differences between them? 4. List 2 good and 2 bad points from both 5. Do you think these briefs are formal or informal 6. How much creative scope do they give you? Task 4 (b): Creating a New Brief Take what you feel is the best information from both briefs and create your own. Make this brief as creative as you see fit and upload it to your Weebly page. Task 5: Different Types of Briefs From the class discussion, information on Weebly and your own research, you need to put together a PowerPoint together outlining the following: What each of the 7 briefs are 1 positive for the type of brief 1 negative for the type of brief Find examples for at least 4 out of the 7 types of brief Upload you PowerPoint to your Weebly Task 6: Writing a Brief Choose 1 of the 7 types of briefs and write your own. This brief must be for an animation and will be given to a member of your class to make during next week. You can state as little or as much as you think necessary and at the end you will mark that person s work against your brief.
You have the next 2 lessons to do the following: Go to your client and negotiate any changes you wish to make (at least 1) Create any planning / pre-production materials you think you need to produce Create the animation and edit it. Upload to your web page Email a link to your client so they can evaluate it for homework Task 7 (a): Evaluation You are the client Grade the piece of work which was created for you in accordance to your brief. Grade the following out of 5 1. How closely the production followed the brief 2. How good the production was (would you put your name to it and commission it?) 3. How good the planning was 4. Email your feedback to the creator This is very important as the next section cannot be completed without it!! (b): You are the creator Once you have had your feedback, you must write a 200 word evaluation on: How you could have followed the brief better What would have made this task easier with regard to client contact What you will do differently in the future in order to create what the client is asking for
THE FOLLOWING TASK TO BE UPLOADED TO TASK A TAB TASK 1: Vibe Productions wishes to commission one of the following to explain the techniques and development of stop-motion animation. 1. Video Essay 2. Stop-Motion Magazine You will need to present the information clearly, with in-depth detail, interesting images and relevant video clips. Information can be provided by a narration or by having a presenter. The final video must be uploaded to YouTube and linked to your Weebly page ready for the deadline and the magazine must be exported, uploaded and printed out. 1. You must describe the following techniques: Persistence of vision Stop-Frame Frame Rates Movement of Models 2. You must then show how these techniques were developed by the following people; you must refer to a minimum of two people from each section just to get a pass grade Pioneers e.g. Joseph Plateau (phenakitoscope), William Horner (zoetrope), Emile Reynaud (praxinoscope), Eadward Muybridge, Edison (kinetoscope), Lumiere Brothers, George Pal. Developers e.g. Willis O Brien, Ray Harryhausen, Jan Švankmajer, Lotte Reiniger Contemporary Work e.g. The Brothers Quay, Tim Burton, Aardman Animations, Mikey Please, Timothy Reckart and Fodhla Cronin O Reilly 3. Finally, you must discuss how animations can be presented in a variety of genres and forms, e.g. TV animation, channel idents, cinema, advertising and music videos.
U33 LO2: Be able to devise a stop motion animation with soundtrack U5 LO2: Be able to develop a planned response to a brief Deadline: Friday 12 th February 2016 LO2 Aim: Generate thoroughly thought-through ideas for a stop motion animation with soundtrack, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. LO2 Aim: Plan a response to a brief to near-professional standards showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. Task Description: As a commissioned producer working for Vibe Productions you must demonstrate your understanding of your chosen brief and negotiate any changes with the client. Choosing the right brief in this section will go a long way to determining the quality of your animation. Remember to pick something you are interested in! You will spend a lot of time photographing your project so it is important you are passionate and excited about it! Planning an animation is essential to ensure a smooth running final product. Do not rush this! If done properly, it will make shooting your animation a lot easier.
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TO BE UPLOADED INTO TASK B TAB Task 1: Selecting a Brief Read through the 5 briefs provided. You need to select 1 of these to work from and produce your animation for. Download this brief and upload it to your Weebly page titled Original Brief. Task 2: Negotiating a Brief You must now negotiate at least 1 change to your brief with Adam or Sarah. This gives you the opportunity to add more specific elements to the brief so you can work more professionally. Items can be added, removed or re-worded. Upload this new brief to your Weebly page titled Negotiated Brief. Task 3: New Skills Write up a list of all the new skills you are going to learn from completing this brief. They can be technical, creative or personal.
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TO BE UPLOADED INTO TASK C TAB Task 1: Pre-Production and Planning Booklet Before making your animation you need to plan it. You need to complete ALL the following sections in order to just achieve a pass grade. Make your booklet as professional as possible! Mind Maps Risk Assessment Format of your Animation Subject and Storyline Character Notes and Profiles Movement of Characters Moodboard Sets / Backgrounds Audio and Soundtrack Sound Table Props List Audience Storyboard and Script Frame Rates Lighting Design Production Schedule Crew Details
U33 LO3: Be able to produce a stop motion animation with soundtrack U5 LO3: Be able to apply a response to a brief Deadline: Friday 11 th March 2016 LO3 Aim: Produce a stop motion animation with soundtrack to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards, working independently to professional expectations LO3 Aim: Apply a response to a brief to near-professional standards showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations Task Description: Time to shoot your animation! You have been commissioned by a partner company of Vibe Productions to produce a stop motion animation. This is where your ideas and hard work should come together to create an animation to be proud of. Patience is required as you will delicately move your models frame by frame, taking over 600 photos to detail their movement. Remember to change angle and consider lighting, treat this just like making a short film. The more creative you are the better chance you have of achieving a good grade.
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TO BE UPLOADED INTO TASK D TAB Task 1: Construction You will need to construct: Characters Models Props You will need to set up a constant source of lighting for your set, whilst you are photographing the animation. Task 2: Set Building You will need to build a set. You can either, Create a three wall set using a shoe / cardboard box Use a green screen and add a background in later Film in a readymade location (in college) Task 3: Movement You will need to demonstrate movement in your animation. You must do at least one of the following: Walking Lip Syncing Expression Securing Puppets to Set Flying a Puppet
Task 4: Shooting the Animation When filming / photographing your animation, you will need to show that you have considered all of the following cinematographic elements: Framing Access to Set Angle Movement Lighting Appropriate Point of View Focus Perspective Task 5: Photo Adjustments When you have completed all your photographs, you will need to look at them closely. You may need to bring some or all of them into Photoshop and adjust levels, brightness / contrast, colour balance. Batch process these photos. You may also need to use Photoshop to edit out any mistakes / rigging in the background etc. You can also add extra elements / images using Photoshop. Take screenshots whilst you are doing this and upload to your Weebly U33 & U5 > Task C Task 6: Importing Photos Import your photos into Premier. Alter the duration of the photos so they last only one frame each. Add visual effects / titles / credits.
Task 7: Dialogue Add your dialogue (if required) to your animation. This must synchronise with the models, if they are meant to be speaking. Task 8: Soundtrack You must add a soundtrack to the edited animation. This can consist of Foley sounds, music you have created or another track. Ensure your levels are well balanced, as you will also be marked on this. Task 9: Seamlessness In Premier, you must ensure that your animation runs seamlessly without jolting frames. Use the motion tool in the effect controls bar to ensure each frame matches up with the next. Task 10: Frame Rates and Dope Sheets Complete these sections at the end of the Pre-Production booklet.
U33 LO4: Be able to evaluate audience responses to own stop motion animation work U5 LO4: Be able to review work on completion of a brief. Deadline: Thursday 24 th March 2016 LO4 Aim: Critically evaluate audience responses to own stop motion animation work with supporting arguments and elucidated examples, and consistently using subject terminology correctly. LO4 Aim: Critically evaluate own work on completion of a brief with reference to professional practice, and consistently using subject terminology correctly. Task Description: Your animation is now complete, so it s time to evaluate how well the process has gone. Here you will look at your brief and see how well you have met the requirements. You will also be analysing whether your animation is at a good enough technical standard. Creating surveys for class feedback and comparing your work to existing products will help you to determine the standard you have achieved.
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TO BE UPLOADED INTO TASK E TAB Task 1: Feedback You must create a feedback form. You must get feedback on the following areas; Genre Content Style Narrative Character Animation Techniques Technical qualities Aesthetic qualities Creative qualities Task 2: Comparison to Existing Work Think back to the animators we have looked at during this project. Compare your work to a minimum of two pieces of animation that is in the same genre, or format, which you worked in. Why are you similar? Why are you different? Task 3: Written Evaluation Using the feedback you have been given, write an evaluation of your work. Write about what you tried to accomplish and if you think you achieved that. Remember, good evaluations cover; What went well? How could it have been improved? What would you do differently next time? You must add in video clips / photos / screen grabs of your work to back up the points you make.
Task 4: Action Plan How would you improve your animation? You must write an action plan with three steps you would take to improve your work and add to Weebly. Task 5: How Suited to the Animation Industry are you? Discuss how you think you are suited to the animation industry now you have completed a brief and gained feedback. Task 7: Be able to review work on completion of a brief Unit 5:LO4 You must present your evaluation either as A Word Document (minimum of 4 x A4 pages of writing plus minimum 10 images) Or 8-10 minute video blog. The final video must be uploaded to YouTube and linked to your Weebly website ready for the deadline. Videos must be uploaded to Weebly, via YouTube. Written Documents should be uploaded to Weebly.
Resources Books Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media Production, Student Book (Pearson, 2010) Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media Production, Teaching Resource Pack (Pearson, 2010) Grant J Masters of Animation (Watson-Guptill Publications Inc, 2001) Lord P Cracking Animation: The Aardman Book of 3-D Animation, 2nd Edition (Thames & Hudson, 2004) McFarlane T and Beck J Outlaw Animation: Cutting-edge Cartoons from the Spike and Mike Festivals (Harry N Abrams, 2003) Noake R Animation: The Guide to Animated Film Techniques (McDonald and Co, 1988) Priebe K The Art of Stop-Motion Animation (Delmar, 2006) Shaw S Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model Animation (Focal Press, 2008) Taylor R Encyclopedia of Animation Techniques (Focal Press, 1999) Wiedemann J Animation Now! (Taschen, 2007) Williams R The Animator s Survival Kit (Faber & Faber, 2001) Websites www.aardman.com the Aardman Animations website www.anim8ed.org.uk/resources_tech_3d.asp the Anim8ed website www.filmeducation.org/primary/animation/technique.html the animation pages of Film Education
Grading Criteria U33
U5