Stop Motion Animation - Zu3D

Today, we continued as a group to explore the Zu3D package. In collaboration with Rhys Jenkins, we created the below animation. A series of still images were recorded with a webcam and we used the in built microphone to record sounds and also used some sounds available through the software.

It was a very delicate process, even the smallest of movements would be noticed in the animation. The effect of changing light or a change in set would hinder the production of the movie.

Below is the finished product.

Camera-Less Animation - Second Attempt - Zoetrope - Step by Step guide

For the second animation created during the seminar, Myself and Rhys Jenkins were given the task of creating a Zoetrope.
This type of animation utilises the illusion of motion. It uses several still images, and when they are put on a spinning table, looks like an animation.

Equipment used:
Chalk
Scissors
Black paper (Cut into a cylindrical shape)
Circular base
Template for image (We used a template from google images)
Glue
Sellotape

To Start off, We had a piece of black card and our base for this was a clock. We shaped the card into a cylindrical shape as seen above.

Following this the card was measured in length and individual marks were put on in chalk every 2cm.

We then cut out these 'viewing lines'. These are important and have to be equally spaced out in order to view the animation.

Once this procedure has been followed you can then start designing your animation. For the purpose of this animation, it was decided to use a template which we researched on the internet of a horse. This is shown below.

After cutting out the images, they were then glued onto the inside of the card in order. Once this is completed, the card must be taped together and then you can put it on a spinning wheel to see the animation. This step is shown below.

Shown above is a video of our animation on a spinning wheel. It shows the importance of the viewing lines in order for the animation to work.

Stop - Motion Animation

Stop - Motion Animation

 

 

Animation has been a significant form throughout the history of cinema, “prompting, informing and responding to each of the technical innovation in production” (Chong, 2008, p. 15).

 

Stop motion animation is a well-established technique where still pictures of static scenes are taken and then played at film speeds to show motion. (Brostow & Essa, 2001)
In it's simplest form, it involves a 2D or 3D object that appears to move on it's own. Is is moved in small increments between each frame which produces the illusion of movement.

Most recent stop-motion animations include Wallace and Grommit, Chicken run and even children's entertainment programme Pingu!

Advantages of Stop Motion
Stop-Motion Animation has it's Advantages within a classroom setting. It allows students to be creative with their projects and encourages teamwork and attention to detail.
It also has an advantage over CGI in terms of cost and it's distinct look.

Disadvantages
One disadvantage is that it can be very time consuming. Wallace and Grommit - The Curse of the Were Rabbit took around 15 months to make. The movie is only 85 minutes duration and the producers could only film a limited amount of frames each day.


Animation - Family Favourite

A Family Favourite Animation

 

One of my favourite animations on TV, and one of the most memorable is the advert for 'compare the market'. The campaign is led by 'compare the meerkat' which involves a meerkat called 'Aleskandr Orlov' advertising to consumers who buy their insurance from compare the market that they will receive a free meerkat toy.
The marketing campaign was launched in January 2009 and was created by Darren Walsh at Passion Pictures.

A newspaper article from 2010, says that the marketing campaign has netted Compare the Market £60Million profit. In a market which to some may be boring, this is certainly spectacular.

There is no doubt that it has been a huge success, quite possibly due to the appeal of Aleksandr. Receiving a free gift for insurnace could influence many parents.


A video below showing all of the compare the meerkat adverts.

What is a learning environment ? My perspective

A learning environment is quite simply a setting where the process of learning takes place. This could be within a traditional classroom setting, a lecture theatres, museums and on the job vocational learning.

The type of learning environment plays a role in the quality of education that a learner receives. They can change dependent on the subject being taught and it's style.

Below is a link to the characteristics of an effective learning environment.

10 Characteristics Of A Highly Effective Learning Environment

Learning environments can not only be in a physical form.
Recently, there has been the rise of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE). These are primarily used in Universities (for example, moodle and blackboard) where lectures can be uploaded to the websites along with various other forms of learning tools. It allows the students to undertake learning whenever they see fit.
However, now many companies also use VLE in order to teach their staff new skills.

Below is a Ted Talks lecture where Ron Haffart evaluates the environments required for 21st Century Learning.