Stop Motion Animation Challenge

COMPUTER SCIENCE Stop-motion animation Contents: Page 2: Introduction Page 3: Your Challenge & Task 1 Page 4: Task 2 Storyboarding Pages 5 & 6: Task 3 Scripting Page 7: Task 4 Make an Animation

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Introduction Welcome to the wonderful world of Computer Science at Hull Collegiate School. We are passionate about computers and technology because they allow us to do so many epic things. Just think about some of the jobs currently available to you if you learn to use technology and software to a high level.

You could be an artist, creating 2D or 3D models, adding textures to make it look amazing, then animating your creations, just like you see in movies like Toy Story and in video games. You could become the next Cyber Security specialist, protecting the world from the invisible villains who carry out their dastardly deeds online. You could create entire game worlds from the depths of your imagination and develop characters and stories for others to enjoy. You can make and edit the latest blockbuster movies and add special effects, all from the comfort of your own home. You can create your very own recording studio and record the next number 1 song. If you learn how to program a computer and write code, you can make a computer do anything you want it to. That is right, ANYTHING! Learn to code, and you literally have the power to create whatever your imagination dreams up.

Many of the skills mentioned above you will learn over the next few years, and if something really excites you, we have extra-curricular clubs where you can come and indulge in more of what you like.

We look forward to welcoming you to HCS Senior School and we hope you are excited to take the first steps into the world of Computer Science.

Mr Carmichael Head of Computing “It was playing video games from an early age that inspired me to want to learn and to work with computers. Exploring fantasy lands and having adventures excited me and since then I have learned many skills and have my own creative adventures. I hope you will too.�

Your Challenge 2

I would like you to create a stop-motion animation. To get started, use the link below and watch the first video, which will introduce your task:

https://www.hullcollegiateschool.co.uk/animate

Before you begin, you will need a few things. Here is a list of what you need: • • • •

A mobile phone or a tablet with the app Stop Motion Studio installed on it (free or £4.99 for the fully featured version – remember to ask your parents permission before downloading).

Some toys or playdoh, or just some paper, colouring pens and scissors.

A tabletop to lay your characters out on.

A whole lot of imagination.

On the next couple of pages, you will see the tasks you need to do to complete your animation. These tasks will help you to visualise your ideas before you begin creating your animation.

Good luck and most importantly, have fun.

Task 1: Watch a Film Wait a minute! What do you mean, watch a film? Surely, this cannot be a task set by a teacher, it is far too easy!

Yes, this is your first task, but I do not want you to watch just any film, it must be a stop-motion animation film. The Boxtrolls, Coraline, The Nightmare before Christmas, Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep – these are all great examples of stop-motion movies.

Pick your favorite and enjoy it but try to think about how all the effects are achieved.

Task 2: Storyboarding 3

Storyboarding is the act of drawing out each scene in a film or animation. It helps the creators to see what they are trying to make. In this task you are going to create your own storyboard by drawing out your key scenes in the boxes below. Before you do, watch this video. Use the QR Code or enter the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQsvhq28sOI

If the boxes are too small or you need more, feel free to do this on a separate piece of paper.

Task 3: Scripting 4

Now it is time to write your script. Always start with the character’s name, then write what they will say. For example: Mr Carmichael: Hello Peter, how are you today?

Peter: I am very well, thank you. How are you?

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Task 4: Make your animation Here we go, this is it! Now is your chance to show what you can create.

I would like you to record your animation and then send it to me.

If you use the website https://wetransfer.com/ you will be able to send me large files. Just enter my email address (shown below), your school email address and attach the file.

My email address is graham.carmichael@hullcollegiateschool.co.uk Ask your parents to help you if you have trouble sending me your file. You can also email me to ask for my help directly.

Have fun creating your animation and I cannot wait to see what you create.

If you would like to see an example of what a pupil has created, watch the two videos that follow my introduction video using the link below.

https://www.hullcollegiateschool.co.uk/animate

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