Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Unit 33: Stop Motion Animation Pre-Production Booklet for Animation

Name: Andy Raynes

Order of contents (italics show areas you must add in yourself) Assessment criteria LO2 LO3 Frame Numbers Dope Sheets Format of your animation Subject and storyline Character notes and profiles Movement of characters Moodboard Sets/backgrounds Audio and soundtrack Sound table Props list Audience Storyboard Frame rates Lighting design

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

How to use this booklet

You will need to complete every page of this booklet, and all sections / questions required. Assessment criteria for Distinction grade; LO2 Plans will show a full consideration of movement and continuity, perspective, point of view, transitions and special effects. Precise and workable planning of timing and synchronisation to a soundtrack will be produced. It will be clear at this stage, from the documentation, what the finished piece will look and sound like. Learners will follow industry conventions and terminology used in storyboard production correctly. Plans for the construction of models, sets and props will be realistic and clear. Drawings, script and storyboard will all show a creative interpretation of the idea.

LO3: The documentation linked to the production will be full and detailed and there will be evidence that the production management and scheduling of the project has been effective and carried out in a professional manner. The techniques used in the production of the work are likely to be related to an understanding of current trends in the industry.

Both LO2 and LO3 In all practical activity learners will be capable of working autonomously and effectively. They will work on their own initiative, will not need constant support or supervision, will give the work their full commitment, work positively and cooperatively with others, and meet deadlines. In other words, they will have the kind of self-management skills that would be expected of them in a professional context. Note also that this criterion should not be taken to mean that learners do not seek advice or that they work without discussing things with their tutor, but rather that they are not dependent upon the support of others and that when they take advice they weigh it carefully for themselves.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Use of possible formats

Circle which of the following formats your animation will take; Stop-frame techniques Time lapse photography Plasticine animation Claymation Using found objects Modelling Puppetry Combined formats

Why are you using these particular format(s)? We have to use stop-frame techniques for this animation; and everyday household objects are easily attainable and are what I already own, in contrast with plasticine, clay, models and puppets which I would need a budget for to buy.

What are the different possibilities you could explore using this format? There are endless possibilities with this format a house would be likely to have many objects that could be used as a character; for instance, an example could be a bowl of fruits with drawn-on faces with a marker-pen coming to life and trying to escape.

What are the limitations of using this format? (i.e what problems/ obstacles might you have?) - Objects may need to be eventually used by others around the house - Lighting needs to be kept static throughout the whole process, therefore daylight needs to be excluded and artificial - Objects may not be malleable (able to adjust the shape) compared with clay or action figure models - Objects may not be as specific as liked, whereas with clay you can model your concepts exactly as you liked

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

What imaginative or inventive animations have you seen which use this format? Add in links and screen shots of three examples of animations using this format.

1) Animated In Bed - Wonderful Stop Motion (Music video) www youtu om w t h v X zyw

2) Western Spaghetti by PES www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBjLW5_dGAM

3) Fresh Guacamole by PES

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Subject
What will the subject of your animation be? I have chosen the subject of 8-bit gaming, where I will be recreating a well-known game using household objects. The objective of the game will remain the same, although the screen/display will be made using paper. Stop motion techniques will then make it look like it is in continuity.

Storyline
Describe the storyline of your animation. What events will happen to your characters? Th storylin is in r l tion to th g m s tu l o j tiv s:

Mario (now made out of paper as well as the backgrounds) has to get to the end of the level by walking/running and avoiding obstacles (i.e. holes in the ground, fake pipes) and grabbing as many useful objects on the way to help him, such as mushrooms (make bigger) and especially coins - this extends his lives, which is 3 on default. If Mario gets to the end of the level, he wins; if h do snt, by failing to overcome the obstacles, he loses a life and has to start from the beginning of the level or via last checkpoint. This repeats until he is out of lives th n it is G m Ov r

Characters
What characters will be in your animation? Super Mario An Italian plumber trying to rescue his land (Mushroom Kingdom) and the Princess

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Complete the character profiles for each character in your animation

Name: M/F: Age Costume:

Mario M N/A Brown shoes, blue overalls, red shirt, a matching red hat with an "M" over the bill and white gloves (this is hard to tell as in 8-bit gaming the pixels are quite oversized) Plumbing, rescuing his homeland and saving the Princess Saving the Princess Plumber, comes from the Mushroom Kingdom, likes collecting coins

Occupation: Hobbies: Character Background:

Add in images and drawings/ sketches of what they will look like.

What will they be made of? In the game, Mario is displayed using pixels/squares; however my version will be made using paper cut-outs of him.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Movement of characters

How are you going to make your characters move? Mario, in the game, has certain different states of action including walking; jumping; and dying, which will each be different paper cut-outs. For example, in 10 frames it may display two different cut outs of Mario walking repeating, and in the next 5 frames it displays M rios action of jumping in mid-air.

What is the purpose of an armature? Armature is a framework beneath a model to hold the body upright which provides structure and stability; especially when a plastic material such as wax, newspaper or clay is being used as the medium.

Will you use them for your characters? I will not be using such mediums, only cut-outs of paper.

If so, how will you make it? N/A

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Mood board
Create mood o rd showing wh t look your animation will have. Add images showing ideas of mise-en-scene, characters, costumes and colours that will be present in the different shots. Squared paper as background, which also helps positioning the cut-outs Lines for background (blocks, mountains, ? boxes) drawn on using coloured pencils and rulers Paper cut out of Mario being stationary with his typical costume

Added Colour Correction for post-production becomes more saturated, brighter and the colours stand out more to become more visually appealing when it comes to the Video Installation:

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Sets / backgrounds

Will your set be; A three wall set A blue/green screen An existing location A Combination of two or more of the above

None from the above: squared paper with continuous drawings

Draw sketches of how your sets/backgrounds will look. Add in labels to your diagrams and details of locations / lighting etc.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Add in photographs of your sets/backgrounds.

No other background pages are in these pictures yet as this is a design, but there will be when photographing.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Audio and Soundtrack

What audio will you have for your animation? Audio that suits a simple 8-bit game: Character sounds: i.e. jump, cries, talk Action sounds effects: i.e. bounce, hit, get coin Background music: i.e. Simple 8-bit sounds

Complete the sound list, detailing what sounds you will use, where you will source them, what equipment you will need to record them and when you will use them in your animation. You will need to design your own soundtrack. You cannot use copyrighted music, and it must be more than simply adding a track.

What actions will need sound effects? Character voice Jumping Dying Getting coins Entering pipe Mushroom exiting box Mushroom hitting head Mario enlarging/getting smaller Splatter

Think of the scenes in your animation. Each scene should have different sounds/music to give information about the mood / emotions of the characters.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Sound Table Production Name: Super Mario Stop Motion Animation Producer: Andy Raynes Shot : Action Description of Sound Mario scream Diegetic/nondiegetic Non-diegetic Atmosphere created Music type and atmosphere Game music (8bit style, MIDI sounds), gives the audience of feeling they are playing a game

Character voice (1) Character voice (2) Jumping

Like playing a real game

Dizzy Mario

Non-diegetic

*Boing* from low to high *Ding* Key repeated from high to low Key repeated from low to high *Spring boing*

Non-diegetic

Getting coins Entering pipe

Non-diegetic Non-diegetic

Mushroom exiting box

Non-diegetic

Mushroom hitting head Mario enlarging/getting smaller

Non-diegetic

Key repeated from high to low / Key repeated from low to high

Non-diegetic

Splatter

*Sludgy watery spray* Minor tune

Non-diegetic

Gorey

No music

Die / Game over

Non-diegetic

Like playing a real game Like playing a real game

Minor, sad sounding Feeling of playing am 8-bit game

Pause

*Ding Dong*

Non-diegetic

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Props List
What props / models / furniture etc will you need to make your animation? PROPS LIST Production Name: Super Mario Stop Motion Animation Producer: Andy Raynes

Item Desk

Script page All

Description Must be flat for paper Squared paper used for the background and cut-out objects For drawing the backgrounds

Character/location Mario

Notes -

Paper

All

Mario

Pencils / Colouring Pencils Cut-outs of M rios tion

All

Mario

All

Main character movements

Mario

Cut-outs of background

All

When Mario hits the box, it needs to change Capture pictures

Mario

Camera

All

Mario

Tripod

All

Hold camera still

Mario

Lamp (strong light bulb)

All

Have static light th t do snt change

Mario

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Audience
Define the following characteristics of your audience; Gender Both will be seen by other students and their parents However, I would base it on males, as they generally play more games than women.

Age All will be seen by other students and their parents Still, I would base it on a child/teenage audience (5-18) as most generally play video games.

Interests Anything will be seen by other students and their parents Though, will most likely been for people who are interested in gaming entertainment, who has played older games such as Super Mario Bros.

What forms of animation might they already watch? Any type will be seen by other students and their parents Since it people will most probably be above the age of 17, may be popular animated adult cartoons such as Family Guy or The Simpsons.

What images do you think they enjoy watching? Any type will be seen by other students and their parents In my opinion possibly something comedic, abstract and colourful as it tends to stand out from the rest in my opinion.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet What might they consider distasteful or offensive? Bad language Not something parents would want to hear from the child Racism/sexism/ageism etc. Critical words may offend someone and dislike the work Gore/sexual content 18+ rated scenes may cause people not to watch it

How will you ensure that your animation will suit your chosen audience? The animation will be entertaining; friendly; viewable for all ages, and will not contain anything from the above box.

How will they physically watch your animation? (i.e. in an exhibition format, on screen, projection, online?) Idea 1) A table with a tablet or small monitor laid flat within a paper template; where colouring pencils, school books, a lamp, the background paper and a cut-out of Mario is pl d round it Vi w rs will g t th impr ssion th t it is hilds work t le but will see an animation with paper Idea 2) Mount a TV/monitor on a wall; with a gaming console attached with inputted game controllers this will give the illusion that viewers are watching an actual video game. Idea 2.1) Since one of my friends in class is also doing a game animation, we could both follow this idea, but make out as if it is a real-life gaming pavilion e.g. Eurogamer, E3, Gamescom. A banner will be displayed above the mounted monitor.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Storyboard

Who?
Whi h h r t rs o j ts r in th s n

Complete a storyboard for your animation.

Where?
Wh t is th lo tion for th shot

Say What?
Is th r ny di logu t xt

Lighting
N tur l m i nt Tor hlight potlight Dir tion of light

And then.?
Wh t h pp ns D s ri th tion

Camera?
Wh t is th m r ngl Is th r ny mov m nt from th m r

Time?
Dur tion of th shot num r of fr m s tion is h ld for

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet Think carefully about the shots you will be using. Consider the range of shots/angles to give interest and perspective

Shots
Extreme long shot Long Shot Medium Shot Two Shot Over the Shoulder Medium Close up Close up Extreme close up

Camera Angles
Birds-eye view High angle Eye-level Low angle Oblique / canted angle Worms-eye view Ground Shot

Movement
Pan Tilt Tracking Shot Zoom

Editing
Montage Cross cutting Match cut Shot, reverse shot Eye-line match Jump cut Tracking shot

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet You will need to convey all movements and actions. Copy and paste the storyboard to make it as long as you need to show all the detail of yor animation. 1-Mario start at the beginning of the level and walks to the right (0 - 1 secs) 2-Mario jumps to hit the ? box with his head and a coin comes out (2 3) 3-Mario jumps to get the mushroom and becomes bigger (4 6)

Background added/removed when necessary 3 Mario cut-outs needed for walking Camera tracks Mario in closeup from a birds-eye view shot No dialogue, 8-bit music starts

Different cut out for Mario used when jumping Jump sound used when jumping Coin sound when mystery box hit

All previous cut-outs used but with bigger Mario instead Mario getting bigger sound Mushroom exiting box sound

4-Mario continues and tries to get the mushroom from a different box but when following he falls down (7-15)

5- Lives screen x 3 (16-19)

6- First 3 steps of storyboard repeated (20-29) *FIRST 3 steps*

Boing sound for hitting his head

Image used Die sound/tune, background music halts

*FIRST 3 steps*

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet 7- There is no mushroom box this time around, Mario jumps on an enemy, jumps over another gap, but sees another enemy 29-31)

8- Mario gets hit and walks past and gets the coin from the box, but his character becomes smaller (32-35)

9- There is another whole in the floor, and Mario jumps put the player pauses, then falls down (36-38)

Mushroom enemy cut outs (for movement) needed

Mario gets smaller sound Change cut out of Mario every frame from big to small, twice for shrinking effect

Pause needs to be edited over the visuals Background frame remains the same for the time it is paused

10- Lives screen x 2 (39-41)

11- First 3 steps of storyboard repeated (42-52) *FIRST 3 steps*

12- Mario jumps over the hole in the ground but there is no enemy (53-54)

Image used Die sound/tune, background music halts

*FIRST 3 steps*

Jump sound where necessary

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13- Mario jumping and getting a coin from the block (55-56)

14- Repeat step 12 of the storyboard (57-58)

15- Mario hits a bricked block; a coin comes out, then the game glitches, and get hurt twice and dies (59-67)

Bounce and coin sound where necessary

*Step 12*

Repeat getting coin frames over and over then change Mario cut out smaller When dying use same cut out and drag Mario off the screen

16- Lives screen x 1 (68-69)

17- Mario starts again with his last life, but at a checkpoint and jumps on the pipe and goes down it (70-72)

18- Mario screams and blood splashes out of the pipe, screen cuts black (7377)

Image used Die sound/tune, background music halts

Fold Mario and eventually cut the cut out with scissors as he goes down for the illusion Entering pipe sound

Frame is paused for this whole step Special FX for blood added in post-production Character voice (1) before splatter Splatter sound when frame contains blood Character voice (2) lastly

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

19- Gameover screen displayed

Gameover sound Followed by credits

Frame Rates
What is the duration of your animation in minutes? (minimum 30 seconds) 1 minute 25 seconds (including credits + lives screens)

In seconds? 85

How many frames per second for video? 10

There are 60 seconds in a minute. How many frames (ie. Individual photos) will you need to take? 850 But will most likely lie between 700 and 800 as there is added images and other text that is not in the animation.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Lighting Design

Where will you be photographing your animation? In my room which will contain a flat desk for the props to lie on.

Does it have natural daylight? No

If so, you will need to block this out. Explain why. Natural lighting is dynamic (changing) and could alter each shot of the stop motion animation, thus not looking continuous.

Do you have a constant light source(s) such as a lamp? Yes

Where will you place your light source(s) to create interesting effects? From above, pointing down on my stop motion animation to keep it well lit throughout.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet (LO3)

Frame numbers
You will need to label your images as frames The first 24 frames will be written as; 0_1 0_2 etc etc

the following 24 will be 1_1 1_2 1_3

Ensure your clips are labeled as such. Screen shot the folder your clips are in, and copy the image underneath.

Folders containing the raw images

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Numbered clips and images Note Kept the file names as their auto-incremented value