Stop Motion Workshops: 3 Week Rotation

Stop Motion Workshops: 3 Week Rotation

Introduction

Within this rotation we created a series of stop motion test videos to develop our understanding of stop motion animation. We had an external tutor who has worked in the stop motion industry on numerous projects. These session have also been compacted due to problems; we had only two extended sessions within a week whereas other groups have had three weeks to complete their tests. Despite the limited time, we have to create all of the tests before the final deadline in December. This is the space we worked in:

We would have the Mac book connected with a DSLR which would then take images of what is on the 'stage'. We would move the object an image at a time which would then be played together as a video; creating the illusion of movement.

Session 1: 6/11/15

This session was primarily the introductory session where we had the task of demonstrating a basic understanding of some animation principles and demonstrate them through the tests of animating a simple block. Each of the tests we were assigned, we had to create another which ran on twos; we would have one test that ran on 'ones' and another which ran on 'twos'. this would allow us to see the difference between the tests and establish preferences.

These tests included:

Block

-Moving a block evenly along a line with equally spaced intervals.

-Moving a block along a line demonstrating acceleration and declaration.

-Swinging a block along a curved path demonstrating acceleration and declaration.

-The block dropping from a height displaying the properties of a tennis ball.

-The block dropping from a height displaying the properties of a cannon ball.

Puppet

-The puppet throwing a ball demonstrating: staging, exaggeration, anticipation and over-lapping action

-The puppet striking a ball with a bat demonstrating: staging, exaggeration, anticipation and over-lapping action

-The puppet lifting a heavy object demonstrating: staging, exaggeration, anticipation, secondary action and weight.

Blocks

Even Movement Test

These next tests are of the block moving along the X axis in a straight line with even spacing on both 'ones' and 'twos' respectively.

Ones

As you can see in the video, the black box moves up and down in the Y axis as if it is 'bobbing' along the line (X axis). I did not want this result however because I wanted the box remain level. Therefore I would next time ensure that the box/ object is level throughout the tests by utilising the tools of the software or using more practical measuring and levelling methods e.g. using a ruler.

Twos

with this test I had used the 'onion skinning' tool on the Dragonframe software which allows the user to see both the current and previous frame at the same time; therefore I had a better understanding of where the block had just come from and to keep the block level. Despite my efforts I find the path is still not perfectly level; because the block again 'bobs' up and down the X axis.

Comparison

I feel that I prefer the 'ones' test because of the smooth movement despite the 'bobbing'. I feel this because the 'twos' test was created incorrectly and that I had spaced incorrectly so that the movement felt staggered.

Acceleration/ Deceleration Test

These next tests are of the block accelerating and decelerating along the x-axis to show the principle of momentum and acceleration/ deceleration.

Ones

I feel pleased with this test because it does demonstrate acceleration and deceleration; however I still notice a dip in the x-axis during the movement. I feel that I have demonstrated the principles of acceleration and deceleration; however I would improve the final video by ensuring the object was level.

Twos

I feel that this test was lacking because it did not have a great enough contrast between the extreme movements within the center of the line and then the tiny movements at the beginning and end of the line. If I had done this, this test would be far more effective.

Comparison

I feel that comparing these two tests isn't completely fair due to the ineffective spacing within the second test on 'twos'. Despite this I feel that the 'ones' test is far more effective due to the smooth movement.

Swing Test

These next tests are of the block swinging on a rope much like a newton's cradle without the other weights on strings. This is again to show our understanding of animation principles such as the concept of gravity, mass, energy and acceleration/deceleration.

Ones

I would improve this test by reducing the frames on the second swing because they are not even and it feels that the swing almost 'freezes' in the air and hangs fro a frame or two before swinging again. This is only a minor mistake that has made a big impact. I am pleased however with the decaying effect that energy is exerted during the swing and finally comes to  complete stop.

Twos

I would improve this swing by the spacing of the block to make the swing smoother and to reduce the number of frames at the first swing because as it is about to transfer to the second swing, (in my opinion) the block is in the air too long and feels un-natural.

Comparison
Out of these two tests I believe the 'ones' were better because the video is both longer and better quality of animation despite the improvements needed.

Tennis Ball Test

These next tests are of dropping the block and replicating the mass of: a tennis ball in the block. therefore the block would be light and bouncy and we must show this through the animation.

Ones

I would improve this by reducing the number of frames during the falls because I feel that they are a little slow. This makes the fall not seem natural and not as effective as I had hoped it would be during the production.

Twos

I would improve this by increasing the height of the second bounce to clearly show the decay of energy per bounce. I would also reduce the number of frames much like the previous test because again it looks too slow and looks un-natural.

Comparison

Despite the needed improvements I feel that the ones test was smoother for the animation for the ball falling.

Cannon Ball Test

These next tests are much like the previous ones. However this time we must express the mass of the block being a: cannon ball. Therefore there would be very little bounce and must show that the block is very heavy.

Ones

To exaggerate the mass of the cannon ball I moved the camera as well as the block hoping it would enhance the test. I was inspired by other cartoons and films where an object with create mass would hit the ground and the ground would move around the object to exaggerate the mass. However I feel that this has ruined the test and has made more of a distraction that enhancement. I would therefore do this test again without the camera moving to express the mass of the block.

Twos

Again I would improve this test by removing the camera movement.  would also reduce the number of frames for the fall and reduce the bounce to further exaggerate the mass of the block.

Comparison

Despite the mentioned improvements needed for both tests, I prefer the ones test because of the smoothness and spacing of the animation.

Puppet

Throwing Ball Test

This next test is the puppet; known as Tim throwing a ball. Tim didn't have any props; therefore we had to stage and exaggerate Tim's movements to mime his actions.

Block

I am pleased with the block test because it clearly shows both the actions of Tim and how the movement progresses.

Full

I am pleased with the result of this test because during production I intended to focus on the anticipation, over-lapping action and staging of Tim. I would improve this test however by reducing the movement of the paper which was accidental as I moved the puppet. I would also increase the number of frames during the slower movements to make them smoother which would contrast further with the very quick movements; exaggerating the faster movements further.

Striking Ball Test

This next test is of Tim miming swinging a bat to hit a ball.

Block

I would improve the block test by staging the puppet more effectively by making it clear that Tim is swinging a bat. Because I feel that the staging could be clearer.

Full

I would improve this test by (again) staging Tim effectively so that he is clearly swinging a bat. in addition to make the animation effective further I would add Tim looking in the distance to see where the ball has gone. This would make the animation flow better towards the end and to give Tim a sense of character and life.

Lifting Object Test

This next test is Tim trying to lift a very heavy box off the floor.

Block

I chose to add a small walk at the start because I wanted to keep Tim's position both consistent with the other tests and to express Tim's character before the lift. I chose I very exaggerated and 'tough' walk because it anticipates the situation to the audience.  I am pleased with this block because it clearly shows how the animation should turn out.

Full

I am pleased with the result of this test because I feel that I have both expressed the weight of the box and the character who is trying to lift said box. I chose this because I believed it would be more effective to express the mass of the block through the character rather than the block itself. I would however improve the first step of Tim because it appears he slides under his own foot and doesn't look like he is walking naturally.

Session 2: 12/11/15

Within this session we continued work on the puppet as we had demonstrated the basics with the block tests. We then discussed further about blocking and straight ahead animation, where we would plan the movements of the puppet and then create the final animation. This is an effective way to plan the movements of the puppet and how the animation would look before dedicating too much time or effort to the test.

This session we were assigned to create a test:
Puppet

-The puppet walking from one corner to another

-The puppet running/ sprinting from one corner to the other 

Puppet

Walking Test

This next test is of Tim walking from one corner to another.

Block

Again I wanted to express an emotion/mood through Tim's walk and I chose an extremely exaggerated angry walk.

Full

I would improve this test by reducing the number of frames where his feet are close to the floor because this makes it look difficult for Tim to walk. In this test it makes it look like Tim is walking through custard and he is not happy about it. I also believe the over exaggeration made Tim arch his back too much which makes the pose look even more uncomfortable and unnatural.

 next time I couldn't exaggerate the puppet as much but still try to express the mood the most effective way I can. I found this walk cycle extremely difficult because it was very complex to exaggerate correctly and for the model to stay in those extreme positions.

Running Test

This next test is of a block test for Tim to run.

Block

This block test is very short because I found that the puppet couldn't maintain these extreme positions and chose not to create the running sequence. Despite this I am pleased with the staging of the run because the poses are clearly staged and exaggerated.

Link to video of Stop Motion collection 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPS6_7ayIcA

Conclusion

Throughout these sessions I have learnt a lot about stop motion and the time and patience needed to create an effective animation. I have enjoyed applying the animation principles to real objects and how they turn out in a different medium. These are clearly shown in the puppet tests featuring Tim. I have enjoyed working with stop motion and I have learnt a lot from it; despite this I feel that stop motion is not 'right' for me but wouldn't turn away from it in future projects because the results are unique and special. I didn't particularly enjoy the limitations of the puppet or the set-up required before shooting a test, however these are different requirements for a different medium. on the other hand, I really enjoyed viewing the tests at the end of a shoot because I real life object suddenly comes to life and has a special quality and style to its movements.