Click for project ideas on YouTube:
Taster courses organised by @SpecCrafts:
- ‘I love what you’re doing with the kids, my daughter is really excited about learning!’ Parent of a year 5 pupil - East Riding of Yorkshire
- 'A great day! The students are already planning their next animation. They all love computers, but this activity made them work together cooperatively on a project - which due to the nature of our students special needs they often find very difficult.’ Teacher - Bents Green Special School, Sheffield
- ‘What qualifications do I need to do this for a living? It’s the best thing I’ve ever done!’ Year 10 pupil - Newman Special School, Rotherham ‘We all worked together and produced brilliant movies in the end - isn’t it worth it?’ Year 9 pupil - Bents Green Special School, Sheffield
Thank you to Preston Primary, East Riding for the Images
What is it?
Stop-motion animation is the process by which a jointed toy or clay model can be brought to life on a computer screen by breaking down the model’s actions into tiny movements and capturing one from for each adjustment of the model. The specially designed animation software brings all the frames together as a single animated film and the models appear to have a life of their own!
Stop-motion offers a simple, creative and fun activity for children and adults of all ages to achieve and succeed within a relatively short space of time. This makes it a particularly appealing activity for many teachers.
Thank you to St Georges RC School, Salford for the Images
What do I need to get started?
Barbara Ainscough can provide all resources for an in-school workshop if requested
✓A suitable camera - digital firewire, USB Cam or handheld device such as iTouch - check out the Hue, Real Animation or the aGent Cam
✓ A computer, ipad or ipod: laptops are an easy solution and offer good flexibility
✓ Animation software such as Animation in a Box (SAM) (Mac or PC)
✓ Modelling clay and a range of modelling tools- Newplast's Newclay is ideal
✓ Primary schools will find the Animation Studio really useful for backdrops and filming
✓ Access to power as required (to charge devices)
✓ Tripods can prove useful for extra stability of a camera position
How much time do I need?
✓ 1 hour to create a storyboard
✓ 1 hour to design and create the scenery
✓ 1 hour to design and make the models
✓ 2 hours to film the animation
✓ Up to 2 hours to add titles, credits, music, special-FX and sound-FX in a digital video package
✓ Extra time required if you want the groups to compose their own soundtrack
✓ Use the Animation Video Hot Tips! document to support your planning (resources section)
What can I expect to achieve?
Animation workshops fulfil the creative aspect in any primary curriculum and at KS3 and 4 the media studies and art modules at GCSE. It can also be a form of visual literacy or digital storytelling helping pupils understand the structure of a story and how music, recorded sound and visual effects can add to the making of the overall setting or even alter the genre of a story.
Animation can fit into almost all subjects that allow opportunities for storytelling, instruction, explanation and issues that can be awkward to discuss or concepts that are difficult to comprehend, such as PSHE, History, Geography, Literacy, Mathematics and Science.
Impact on learning:
✓ Create an original short animation film that can be projected onto an interactive whiteboard, uploaded onto your school’s web-site, or copied to CD ROM or DVD
✓ Presentation skills thinking carefully about purpose and quality of content
✓ Process skills - planning, problem solving, critical thinking and evaluation
✓ Explore personal capabilities such as creativity, communication, negotiation, initiative, collaboration, leadership and self-motivation
✓ Develop positive habits and attitudes necessary for responsible citizenship
✓ Increase pupil engagement in the curriculum, motivation, self-confidence and self-esteem
✓ Provide greater access to the curriculum Student’s animations can be viewed on this web-site
You might also like to link the project to your school’s web-site, blog or Learning Platform
barbaraainscough@mac.com 07976 411492 Copyright Barbara Ainscough Ltd. 2006
