Stop Motion Animation Video
Overview
Your students will love stop motion animation for moviemaking. There is a free app for both Android and iOS that your students can use, but there are in-app purchases that may be necessary for any extra features needed for a professional looking product. The students will get their feet wet with the free version though.
There is also a Chromebook and chrome browser app called Stop Motion Animator and students are able to create stop motion animation sequences using a webcam.
This activity will take at least three-four periods to complete. Students can create stop animation motion videos to teach concepts in all content areas.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Understand what stop motion animation is.
- Be able to create a stop animation video.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Words:
- Stop Motion Animation: Stop motion animation is is animation that is captured one frame at time, with physical objects that are moved between frames. When you play back the sequence of images rapidly, it creates the illusion of movement.
Pre-planning
To prepare for this lesson:
- Decide which app to use to teach stop motion animation.
- For video tutorials check out the Stop Motion YouTube Channel.
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A laptop or Chromebook built-in camera will work, however, a separate USB camera is recommended for the Chrome app.
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Once the camera is placed - don’t move it, a “shadow” is displayed to show the last scene.
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Experiment with capturing the taking apart of an object.
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Clay, play dough, homemade, or Lego characters work well.
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Create a background image or use a green screen.
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Adjust the playback speed - a movie might be only 15 seconds.
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Add audio last when the video is finished.
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Read the following articles:
Accommodations
See the Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students website in the Teacher Resources.
Steps
Directions for this activity:
- Introduce the art of movie making to the students, in particular, stop motion animation.
- Show them an example you have created or one from YouTube:
- Put the students into small collaborative working groups and have the students plan their projects ahead of time. The students will have to put the sets together and gather/create their characters. The students will have to write the script/storyboard. Here is a printable storyboard.
- Have the students experiment with the app that you have chosen them to work with.
- Have the students film and create their stop-motion animation video.
Tips:
- For the first time do not make it elaborate.
- Give the students time to play with the app
- Make sure this is enough storage space on the iPad or Chromebook
- Make sure they create a storyboard!
Assessment Options
Different options for assessing the students:
- Observations
- Check for understanding
MITECS COMPETENCIES & ISTE STANDARDS
MITECS: Michigan adopted the "ISTE Standards for Students" called MITECS (Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students) in 2018.
Creative Communicator
6a. Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.
6b. Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
6c. Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.
6d. Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.
Innovative Designer
4a. Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.
Devices and Resources
Device: PC, Chromebook, Mac, iPad
Browser: Chrome
App:
Stop Motion Studio for iOS
Stop Motion Studio for Android
Stop Motion Animator for Chrome
Websites:
Complete Guide for Stop Motion Animation in the Art Room
CONTENT AREA RESOURCES
ELA
Students will learn scripting and storyboarding.
Integrated Arts
The students can create the stage for the movie.
Math
Math facts and problems can easily be taught using stop motion animation.
Science
Science facts can be easily taught using stop motion animation.
Social Studies
Historical events can be taught using stop motion animation.
Credits
This task card was created by Andy Mann, REMC Director, Muskegon Area ISD and Melissa White, 21Things Project Manager. Updated October 2023.