STOP-MOTION ANIMATION – Claymation, Storytelling

Student will be able to:

1. Correctly set up a tripod, camera and lighting to shoot stop-motion animation;
2. Create clay figures and props for a stop-motion, animated film they have written;
3. Create a 30 second, stop-motion, animated film; and
4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.

Have students:

1. Work in small production teams to create an animated 'How To' video demonstrating all aspects of the stop-motion process.
2. Share their videos with peers.
3. Write critiques of the final videos.

1. Prior to the lesson you may want to have students explore clay techniques using the lessons found on this website,
   Clay Basics
   Clay Animal
   Clay Figures
2. Have students create a storyboard for a simple story they will animate.
3. Have students create small, clay figures and objects for their animated story.
4. View the stop-motion process videos available on the National Film Board website,
   Three Principles of Animation
   Production
5. Plan to video students at work throughout the project. Use the Students at Work video to introduce the sharing event at the end of this project.

1. Discuss the history of animation as a class and the advancements that have occurred over time.
   - View films such as Gertie the Dinosaur, Steamboat Willie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Flintstones and Toy Story.
2. Explain the meaning of 24 FPS (Frames Per Second)
   - the speed at which a film runs
   - within that one second there are 24 still frames that are almost identical, but with small variations in order to move the subject forward
   - all movies whether they are small or large are made up of hundreds, thousands and even millions of still frames
3. Explain the 3 Step Process for making stop-motion animation.
   - #1 create a picture, sculpture or use a model (create an image)
   - #2 repeat the picture and make a small change
   - #3 play the images back to create motion
4. Discuss why a tripod is important for stop-motion animation and teach students how to use one properly.
   - the camera is put on a tripod so that the frame does not move, which allows for small image changes within the frame
   - always attach the tripod shoe to the camera with the arrow pointing in the same direction the lens is pointing
   - extend the tripod using the lowest legs first.  
   - try your best to keep the leveling bubble centered.
5. Introduce the challenge.

1. Once the animations are complete have a movie day showcasing students' hard work.  
2. Open the event with the teacher created Students at Work video. 
3. At the end of the event have students share their impressions of the films, supporting their ideas with evidence they found in the works. 

1. Observe students as they work – attention to detail, transfer of knowledge from lesson to activity, collaboration with classmates.
2. Observe students as they discuss their work – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the work and from personal experience.
3. Use checklist to track progress. (Downloads – StopMotion_tracking.pdf)
4. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads – StopMotion_self-assesement.pdf)