Friday, March 1st

Periods 3 & 7:
Today is a Set and Character construction day.  All sets and characters must be completed by the end of class on Monday.  Thereafter, we will be filming in the Black Box.  Any team not done with Set and Character construction will receive a ZERO out of 15 points.

Period 5:
Today is a filming day.  Finish 15 minutes early to come back to the lab, download and review the footage you have shot today, to ensure that you're shooting an adequate number of frames per second for your animation.   Since today is a "Production" day, typical Production rules and grading (3 points) apply:  ID on, no electronics, safety and participation on set, etc.

 

 
 

Wed., Feb. 27th

Periods 3 & 7:

• We'll start by reviewing your Test Footage.  We'll import the pics into iMovie and speed them up.  I'll do a quick demonstration, then give you 10 minutes to finish creating your sequence.  Each team will review their footage, make necessary technical notes, and critique other teams' work.
• Each team must complete a basic Set Design sketch.  I'll give you 15 minutes to do so. Then...
• We'll start chopping and painting boxes for sets (those of you who need them).  Teams using live action (people) or open sets (i.e. drawing) will need to complete a set dec and lighting plan today instead.
• We'll stop 10 minutes before the end of class to do cleanup.  Any team that leaves a mess, in the cafeteria OR in the bathroom (e.g. paint splatters from washing brushes) will receive a ZERO for the day's participation grade.  You MUST clean up after yourselves.
• I'm going to give you until the end of class on Monday to complete SETS and CHARACTERS, so any materials you need to bring in must be here by Friday.  This is worth 15 points; for every day that you miss the deadline, you get a ZERO. 

Period 5:
With the exception of two teams that continue to receive a ZERO because they're not ready, the rest of us are ready to start filming, and will begin doing so today in the Production Studio.  Make sure that you have someone on the team who is keeping track of the number of shots per second, and where you are in a movement sequence in case you have to stop for the day.
Every day we're filming is worth a 5-point Participation grade.  Absences, or violating ANY set safety & etiquette rules (i.e. cell phones, horseplay), or failure to perform your job will result in an automatic ZERO for the day.
   

Monday, Feb. 25th

Periods 3 & 7:
Today you'll complete your Animation Script.  Follow these directions:

• Retrieve your copy of the storyboard, and a pair of scissors and glue.
• Cut out each frame of the storyboard, including shot types, and attach in chronological order to the left side of the Script form.
• On the right side of the Script form, add in your 3 layers of Audio as appropriate:

1. ADR (Dialogue)
2. Foley (Sound Effects)
3. Background/Soundtrack

• When complete, hand in with team members' names on the document.  Be sure to clean up after yourselves.

Next, you'll be completing a "Practice Sequence" shoot, to get the hang of shooting multiple frames for stop-motion.  Follow these directions:

• Check out a camera, tripod, and new SD Card.  Label the card with team initials.
• Teams will work in the cafeteria area.
• Devise a simple, 3 to 5 second motion sequence.  For example, a person walking, or two people meeting and shaking hands.
• Your team will shoot between 10 and 15 frames per second of "real time" action.  This requires basic math and a bit of practice on your part, to determine how you will "break up" the action.
• Once complete, you will download the footage into your DP's computer and return equipment.
• I'll demonstrate how to "speed up" your footage to evaluate the quality of your work.

Period 5:
Today is the last day to work on your sets and characters.  Anything not completed today will result in 5 points off PER DAY until it is finished.  We begin shooting tomorrow.              

Friday, Feb. 22nd

ALL CLASSES: I'm going shopping for materials and supplies for stop-motion this weekend.  This is your LAST CHANCE to revise your Props and Materials list to reflect anything that you need purchased and cannot bring on your own.  After this, it is YOUR TEAM's responsibility to provide whatever is needed for your StopMotion project.


Period 3:
We'll grade your mid-unit vocab test, and then it's on to Storyboards!

• Your team will shoot a minimum 9-panel storyboard with 3 Keyframes for each phase of the story (Beg., Mid., End), for a 5-point participation grade.
• Your team will download the photos into iPhoto.
• Your team will import each sequence into a Storyboard project in Celtx.
• Create 3 sequences in Celtx, labeled "Beginning", "Middle" and "End".
• Be sure to use the "Add Image" feature in Celtx to keep your images in the correct sequence.
• ALL SHOTS must be labeled with shot type & description of action for full credit.
• Print and submit for 30 points.     
• Print a second copy and place in your Production Binder for Monday's activity. 

Once that's done, we'll look at example "Action Scripts" for Storyboards.

Period 5:
Your team should finish painting sets today; at least one team member should be working on characters:  For example, creating the marshmallow pig, wiring the laces of the shoe, modifying plastic zombie figures, etc.  ***The Boys' Bathroom was left a MESS from your cleanup on Tuesday.  As a result, we will stop 10 minutes early for cleanup and I will inspect the bathrooms when you are done.
MONDAY is the last day to prep characters and set for FULL grade credit (30 points).  After that, every day you're late to start shooting is a 5-point penalty.

Period 7:
I'm extremely disappointed that only 2 teams turned in their Story Development Worksheets.  Everyone else got a zero (go look at what that did to your 6-week Report Card Grade).  Teams may submit a late Story Dev. Worksheet for half credit today, but must still complete the rest of today's graded activities.

We'll grade your mid-unit vocab test, and then it's on to Storyboards!

• Your team will shoot a minimum 9-panel storyboard with 3 Keyframes for each phase of the story (Beg., Mid., End), for a 5-point participation grade.
• Your team will download the photos into iPhoto.
• Your team will import each sequence into a Storyboard project in Celtx.
• Create 3 sequences in Celtx, labeled "Beginning", "Middle" and "End".
• Be sure to use the "Add Image" feature in Celtx to keep your images in the correct sequence.
• ALL SHOTS must be labeled with shot type & description of action for full credit.
• Print and submit for 30 points.     
• Print a second copy and place in your Production Binder for Monday's activity. 

Once that's done, we'll look at example "Action Scripts" for Storyboards.

Wed., Feb. 20th

I'm down for the count, people.  

Head Cold:  1
Ms. T:           0

While the mocos and I work things out, you'll be busy.  
TODAY is the last day of the grading period, so if something's DUE today, turn it in or you get a ZERO.

Period 3: All of today's activities are for a grade, and due today.

First, you'll take the 10-point Animation Vocab Quiz again.  Yes, again.  And yes, this time it's for a grade.  I want to see how much info you've absorbed so far.
Second,  your team must submit a final Story Development Worksheet if you haven't yet.  Fresh copies are with the substitute.
Third, your team MUST complete the Props Worksheet today.  BE SPECIFIC!  Include any paint, set decoration and props items, including size, color, type and number of items needed.  (For example, don't just say "paint."  What color?  How much?)
Fourth, you'll spend the last 35 minutes of class analyzing "Coraline" and completing the questions from your handout ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER.

Period 5:  Continue watching "Coraline" from where you left off.

Period 7: All of today's activities are for a grade, and due today.

First, you'll take the 10-point Animation Vocab Quiz again.  Yes, again.  And yes, this time it's for a grade.  I want to see how much info you've absorbed so far.
Second,  your team must submit a final Story Development Worksheet if you haven't yet---I sent it home with your Art Director last week, so check with them first before starting a new one.  Fresh copies are with the substitute.
Third, your team MUST complete the Props Worksheet today.  BE SPECIFIC!  Include any paint, set decoration and props items, including size, color, type and number of items needed.  (For example, don't just say "paint."  What color?  How much?)
Fourth, you'll spend the last 35 minutes of class analyzing "Coraline" and completing the questions from your handout ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER.

Wed. Feb. 12th

Periods 3 & 7: 
 Lots to do! 

• First, your Brainstorming teams will share out at least one story idea from Friday's activity.
• Then, it's time to choose teams.  You should team up with peers who share an interest in a similar IDEA for the project.
• Teams will complete a Story Development Worksheet and hand in by the end of class for 30 points. 

Need to look at examples to get ideas?  Check out my Vimeo "Likes":
https://vimeo.com/user4420607/likes

Period 5: 
First things first:  Time to clean out the Pd. 5 Props Cabinet!  Take home anything you donated.
Then....
Time to get out and play!
Today's "PLAY" has a purpose.  We'll explore the basic mechanical principle behind stop-motion animation:  A series of images, when played back in rapid succession, create the illusion of movement.  Here's how it works:

• Your team will get a Camera, Tripod and SD Card, and pick up your Storyboard.
• Working in an open area, you will designate 1 or 2 team members as "characters".
• Using the "Still Photo" mode on the Camera, you will take a series of photographs as your "characters" re-create a motion sequence from your Storyboard.
• You should take between 5 and 10 photographs for every SECOND of real-time movement.
• Pay careful attention to FRAMING (composition), keeping your camera still during shooting, and measuring out incremental movements for your "characters".

Your team will then download the photographs into iPhoto, and import into a new "StopMotion" Project in iMovie.  I'll lead you through a demo that shows you how to speed up a sequence of images to produce the "Persistence of Vision" effect.

Learn More:
How to Shoot Stop Motion

Monday, Feb. 11th

Good morning! Hope you had a restful weekend.
By the way, THANK YOU FOR BEING AWESOME while I was out for staff training on Friday.  YOU ROCK!

Today, we'll grade your analysis from Friday.  Then, we'll move forward as follows:

Period 3 & 7:  Short review of lighting techniques in the "Video" book; then, we'll view a few professional stop-motion videos and analyze (in writing) the following elements:

• Character
• Style/tone
• Story Structure (climax/denoument)
• Setting (sense of place)
• Genre

You'll turn that analysis in, and then we'll break up into small "brainstorming" groups to begin generating ideas.  Groups will share their ideas at the end of class and turn in their work.

Some of the examples we'll watch:
Fluffy McCloud  http://vimeo.com/12699638
Sorry I'm Late https://vimeo.com/4862670
A Short Love Story  https://vimeo.com/877053
10,000 Pictures of You https://vimeo.com/2554266

Period 5:   Start your Production Binder today!  It's the best way to keep track of your work.  We need to complete a MASTER shopping list today, so your Props and Supply lists MUST BE COMPLETED TODAY and turned in to me.  Make sure you include EVERYTHING you need.  Stuff like:

• Paint (to paint cardboard if necessary)---color and type
• Brushes
• Glue ?
• Fabric or special materials
• Hardware (screws, tape, etc.)
• Materials to make characters (if you're going that route)
• Anything else necessary to construct the features of your set and characters

This is going to require an ACTIVE discussion on your part, Period 5.  If you give me an incomplete list, you won't have what you need when it's time to film.  Your group WILL be graded on Production Values (the overall look and quality of what you've created), so this phase of your work is extremely important if you wish to do well.