it4L

http://www.oscarstringer.co.uk/

There are many different types of software and types of animation. We are going to focus on stop motion animation. (Which is the type of thing used to create Wallace and Gromit.)

To create a stop-motion animation you need: a camera or video camera, Windows Movie Maker, (which all PCs have) or some other film editing software. You will also need something to animate.

Stop Motion Animation

• Keep it very simple.
• Don’t have too many characters.
• Adapt stories that both students and teachers are familiar with.
• Larger objects are easier to manipulate.

Using Models

• Focus on the main feature of the animal or character you are making.
• Keep facial features to a 2 or 3 (e.g. eyes, nose, mouth)

Areas where animation can be used are:

• in team building for staff,
• developing interpersonal/ people skills.
• as a learning resource for all subjects
• for creativity in Art
• to improve literacy in English
• for calculations in Maths.

One of the benefits of animating is that everyone starts at the same level so it is suitable for students of mixed ability.

Filming Tips and Tricks

• The moves in-between each picture don’t have to be too small.
• To avoid the objects you are animating looking like they are twitching then you will need to do the maths and work out how many shots you will need to take.
• To slow down the animation, you will need a pause. You do this be keeping the object/subject still and taking several photographs.

Bringing your animation to life
You make think once you’ve done your animation and edited it that that will be it, but no. One of the key things with any film or animation is the music. Here are a list of useful websites to get royalty free sound effects and music from.

www.findsounds.com
www.partnersinrhyme.com
www.freeplaymusic.com (this music can only be used in school.)

Also, here are some links to free animation programmes
StopMojo www.mondobeyondo.com/projects/stopmojo/
MonkeyJam www.giantscreamingrobotmonkeys.com/monkeyjam

Apple’s next Apple Teacher Institute courses runs from April 1 to April 4 2008 at Cheltenham. We still have some places on this fully residential learning experience, using ICT to deliver exciting learning outcomes in the classroom,

“In the age of digital literacy and creativity, educators need to seek out best practice in the use of the tools available. Apple Teacher Institute offers a unique opportunity to develop the ideas you have already had about digital creativity, to see how others are using these new tools with great benefits in learning gains, and to understand the pedagogy that underpins the excitement of digital media.”

On this four-day residential course, you will learn in an environment where you are given the opportunity, inspiration, space and support to be creative with like-minded colleagues. All learning on this unique course will give you a thorough background in digital media but is carried out in a relaxed and friendly manner so that newcomers to the disciplines covered will not feel intimidated.

At this event, you will investigate a range of activities that focus on different digital media:

Digital storytelling
Podcasting
Creating content using digital video cameras and editing software
Exploring the use of still images, music and animation in multimedia projects
Methods for sharing digital projects on iPods, portable devices, DVD and the Web
Sharing of experiences, action planning and portfolio development
Development of skills in subject/age group relevant projects”

For more information click on: http://www.apple.com/uk/education/ati/

or email Fiona McGlashan for registration information.

Oscar Stringer, one of our keynote speakers for this year’s ICT conference [14th April], has some tips for animation on his website.

Looking at Kudlian Soft’s excellent website, we found some top tips from animator Curtis Jobling, designer of children’s character Bob the Builder and creator of Frankenstein’s Cat. Kudlian Soft are running a competition Animate It 08, and have included information which can be used to support this - or any other animation project (such as the Shropshire Create It! awards). Access Curtis’ tips here.

This letter has gone out to all Shropshire schools

Dear Colleague

As you may be aware, we are running a competition in conjunction with the ICT Creativity Conference, to encourage young people to explore digital creativity, entitled the Shropshire Create It! Awards. There are four categories for the awards:
• Short animation (1 minute)
• Short video (1 minute)
• Interactive story (KS 1/2/) or Computer Game Design (KS 3/4)
• Artistic interpretation (e.g. storyboards, character design, set design etc)

There will be separate awards for KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4+ in each category. For each award, there will be a prize of a £50 Amazon voucher for the pupils, and a certificate for the school.

In order to make the event a success, we are asking you to encourage your pupils to take part, as part of their curricular or extra-curricular activities. The closing date for entries is February 29th, and entries can be emailed to andrea@it4.org, steve@it4l.org or keith.havercroft@shropshire-cc.gov.uk. Alternatively, you could put them onto a CD/DVD and send them to Andrea Dunn, Steve Beard or Keith Havercroft at
Shropshire LA Children and Young People’s Services Directorate
Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND

Winning entries will be notified by March 17th 2008 and pupils, school representatives and parents will be invited to an evening celebration/awards ceremony at the Albrighton Hall on April 14th 2008.

We look forward to receiving some exciting and creative entries for the competition.