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4.4.2023, (Week 1 - Week 14)
Christine Tan Yuen Yan, 0344039
Video and Sound Production, VSP 60104 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in
Creative Media
Final Project _ Stop Motion
INSTRUCTION
MIB
FINAL PROJECT _ STOP MOTION
3 Stop Motion Shorts
Instructions:
- Watch stop-motion videos.
- Make a list of three stop-motion shorts.
- Explain why you were chosen.
Tittle: Ocean at you door
Fig 1.1, Stop Motion, "Ocean at your door"
For my senior project, I have chosen the title "Ocean at Your Door."
This project captivated me due to its unique portrayal of climate
change through the medium of stop motion animation. I was particularly
drawn to the artist's creative use of various materials such as
fabric, paper, and objects, each carefully selected to convey a
specific texture and aesthetic. The harmonious blending of these
materials adds depth and visual interest to the overall composition.
Moreover, I greatly appreciate how the artist's ideas aim to raise
awareness and appreciation for nature, spreading a message of
environmental consciousness. The play of light and the overall color
scheme evokes a sense of nostalgia and lends a retro feel to the
artwork. Overall, I find "Ocean at Your Door" to be an inspiring and
thought-provoking senior project that creatively addresses climate
change and invites viewers to reflect upon their relationship with
nature.
Tittle: Workers are not your tools
Fig 1.2, Stop Motion, "Workers at not tools"
I have chosen this particular stop motion video for my project because
the topic resonates deeply with me. It sheds light on a prevalent
issue where some companies exploit labor to an excessive extent,
disregarding the well-being of their own workers. This unethical
practice often leads to severe health problems and other detrimental
consequences, as people sacrifice their well-being for the sake of
work. What captivates me the most is the artist's powerful message of
spreading awareness that workers should not be treated as mere tools.
This message carries great impact, urging viewers to recognize the
value and dignity of every individual within the workforce. Through my
own stop motion video, I aspire to convey this impactful message and
advocate for fair and just treatment of workers in various industries.
Fig 1.3, Stop Motion, "Negative Space"
I watched the "Negative Space" and it is a remarkable short film
animation that has garnered an Oscar nomination. The film beautifully
portrays the relationship between a father and son, using the art of
packing a suitcase as its medium. Through the meticulous and artful
process of packing, the story unfolds, revealing the depth and
complexity of their bond. The film explores themes of connection,
memory, and the passing down of traditions. With its visually stunning
animation and heartfelt storytelling, "Negative Space" captures the
audience's emotions and leaves a lasting impression. This
extraordinary film showcases the power of animation as a storytelling
tool and demonstrates the ability to evoke profound emotions through
seemingly mundane activities.
Stop Motion Exercises
Fig 1.4_Stop Motion Exercise 1 (5.5.2023)
Fig 1.5_Stop Motion Exercise 2 (5.5.2023)
Stop Motion_Editing Brief
Fig 1.6 Stop Motion: Editing Brief_Lecture Slides (30.5.2023)
STOP MOTION
Requirements:
Camera: DSLR camera or smartphone with a stop motion app.
Tripod: Sturdy tripod for stability.
Lighting: Natural daylight and artificial lighting.
Materials: Puppets, props, and backgrounds.
Sound Clips: Collected sound clips for audio synchronization.
Software: Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects.
Instructions:
Pre-production:
1. Storyboard and Clock Shots: Create a storyboard to plan the sequence
of shots. Include specific timing for each shot.
2. Calculate Frames Needed: Determine the desired frame rate for your
stop motion animation, usually between 8 to 10 frames per second (FPS).
Calculate the number of frames needed for each shot based on the timing
in your storyboard.
3. Collect Sound Clips: Gather sound clips that will enhance your
animation. These clips will be synchronized with your video during the
editing process.
4. Prepare Materials and Build Puppets/Backgrounds: Assemble the
necessary materials, including puppets, props, and backgrounds.
Construct or set up your puppets and backgrounds according to your
storyboard.
Shooting:
1. Set Up Camera on Tripod: Mount your camera securely on a tripod to
maintain stability during the shooting process.
2. Use Manual Exposure and Focus: Set your camera to manual mode for
exposure and focus to ensure consistent settings throughout the
animation.
3. Shoot During the Day with Artificial Lighting: Utilize natural
daylight as the primary lighting source, supplemented with artificial
lighting if needed, to achieve consistent lighting conditions.
4. Adjust DSLR Settings: If using a DSLR camera, adjust settings such as
JPEG L/Fine quality, 5K-6K resolution, and an aspect ratio of 16:9 for
optimal video quality.
5. Use Stop Motion App for Smartphones: If using a smartphone, utilize a
stop motion app to capture the frames for your animation.
Prepare for Editing:
1. Organize Sequences into Folders: Keep your shot sequences organized
by grouping them into separate folders based on their respective scenes
or sequences.
Editing in Premiere Pro:
1. Create a New Project: Start a new project in Adobe Premiere Pro with
a resolution of 1920x1080 and a frame rate of 24 or 25 FPS, depending on
your preference.
2. Adjust "Still Image Default Duration": In the preferences settings,
modify the "Still Image Default Duration" to determine the default
duration of imported images in your project, typically set between 2 to
5 frames.
3. Import Folders: Import the folders containing your shot sequences
into the project. Toggle the option to "Insert and overwrite sequences
as nests or individual clips" to import them accordingly.
4. Create a New Sequence for Each Photo Sequence: Generate a new
sequence for each photo sequence you shot during production.
5. Resize Imported Sequences: Resize the imported sequences to fit the
project's resolution of 1920x1080.
Editing in After Effects:
1. Change Import Setting to 24 FPS: In the preferences settings of Adobe
After Effects, adjust the import setting to match the frame rate of your
project, typically set to 24 FPS.
2. Import Multiple Files: Import the multiple files needed for your
animation. Make sure to check the three boxes: "Import As: Footage,"
"Force Alphabetical Order," and "JPEG Sequence."
3. Adjust Speed Using Time Stretch: Use the Time Stretch feature in
After Effects to adjust the speed of your footage if needed.
4. Create a Composition for Editing: Create a new composition in After
Effects with a resolution of 1920x1080, a frame rate of 24 FPS, and an
aspect ratio that covers the entire video.
Partner:
Koh Sinyi
Ideations:
To begin the stop motion project, Mr. Martin shared a proposal list with
us on a Google Doc. This list served as a guideline for us to fill in and
present our proposal, outlining the ideas and concepts for our stop motion
video. The proposal process involved generating creative ideas and plans
that aligned with the objectives of the project. By utilizing the proposal
list as a framework, we were able to brainstorm and present our vision to
Mr. Martin, demonstrating our understanding of the project's requirements
and showcasing our creative ideas for the stop motion video.
Fig 2.0 Stop Motion Ideation (31.5.2023)
In addition to presenting our proposed ideas, I took the initiative to
provide Mr. Martin with a selection of inspirations and references from
various stop motion videos on YouTube. These videos were carefully chosen
as they were related or similar to our own ideas for the stop motion
project. By sharing these references, I aimed to give Mr. Martin a visual
representation of the style, techniques, and storytelling approaches that
we could incorporate into our own stop motion video. These inspirations
served as a valuable resource to spark further creativity and to ensure
that our project aligns with the standards and expectations of the genre.
After receiving feedback from Mr. Martin, we had the opportunity to gain
important insights and detailed explanations regarding the stop motion
project. As previously discussed, it was emphasized that our video
should incorporate a moral or quote that imparts a valuable lesson to
the viewers. While our initial idea was accepted, Mr. Martin encouraged
us to explore more effective ways to express the emotions within the
story.
With this guidance, we took on the challenge of refining our approach to
evoke emotions more powerfully. We brainstormed alternative methods to
convey the intended message and considered various visual and
storytelling techniques that could enhance the emotional impact. By
delving deeper into the emotional aspects of our stop motion video, we
aimed to create a more profound and resonating experience for the
audience.
Fig 2.1, Screenshot of the Google Drive (4.6.2023)
Our stop motion project consists of a total of six scenes, each
contributing to the overall narrative. In particular, scene one comprises
a sequence that spans across 34 frames. This scene is pivotal in setting
the stage for the story and capturing the viewers' attention right from
the start. With careful attention to detail and precise frame-by-frame
movements, we aim to create a visually captivating experience that
seamlessly transitions into the subsequent scenes.
Fig 2.2, Screenshot of the Google Drive (4.6.2023)
Scene two, the next segment of our stop motion project, is composed of
24 frames.
Fig 2.3, Screenshot of the Google Drive (4.6.2023)
Scene three, the next segment of our stop motion project, is composed of
24 frames.
Fig 2.4, Screenshot of the Google Drive (4.6.2023)
Scene 3.5, the next segment of our stop motion project, is composed of 7
frames.
Fig 2.5, Screenshot of the Google Drive (4.6.2023)
Scene 4, the next segment of our stop motion project, is composed of 41
frames.
Fig 2.6, Screenshot of the Google Drive (4.6.2023)
Scene 5, the next segment of our stop motion project, is composed of
17 frames.
Fig 2.7, Screenshot of the Google Drive (4.6.2023)
Scene 5, the next segment of our stop motion project, is composed of 17 frames.
Sound Effect
For our stop motion project, we conducted a search for suitable sound
effects at Free Sound. This online platform provided us with a wide range
of high-quality audio clips that perfectly complemented our visuals and
enhanced the overall viewing experience. With a meticulous approach, we
explored different categories and filters to find the most appropriate
sound effects for each scene and frame. The use of carefully selected
sound effects adds depth, realism, and emotion to our stop motion video,
immersing the audience in the story and amplifying its impact. By
utilizing the resources available at Free Sound, we were able to elevate
the audio aspect of our project and create a more immersive and engaging
experience for our viewers.
Fig 2.9 Screenshot of all the sound effect complied at Goggle Drive.
(7.6.2023)
Click
here
to download the sound effect.
Final Proposal
Fig 3.0 Final Proposal
Fig 3,1 Final Outcome of Stop Motion
REFLECTION
Experience
Working alongside my partner Sinyi on this stop-motion project has been
an incredibly enjoyable experience. Our collaboration was seamless and
efficient, as we complemented each other's skills perfectly. Throughout
the project, we encountered various challenges that provided valuable
learning opportunities.
One of the initial challenges we faced was during the ideation phase,
particularly while shooting the first scene. We had to ensure that the
character's poses were executed accurately and captured in each frame,
which took longer than anticipated. To maintain organization and
efficiency, we stored and organized our project files in Google Drive.
We carefully reviewed Mr Martin's proposal list and brainstormed ideas
for our stop-motion video. Drawing inspiration from YouTube videos that
showcased interesting effects, movements, and camera angles was both
inspiring and informative. Analyzing these references allowed us to
incorporate similar techniques into our own projects, adding depth and
creativity to our work.
In the final shooting session, we were better prepared and managed to
effortlessly complete all the remaining scenes. We discovered that we
could shoot the stop-motion footage using a dedicated app, and then
export it into Premiere Pro for further editing. The end result was a
successful completion of the entire stop-motion video, with the raw
footage looking promising.
Above all, we were immensely proud of the final stop-motion video we
created. It was a testament to our combined efforts, creativity, and
technical skills. The project taught us the importance of meticulous
planning, patience during the shooting process, and the impact that
sound effects and additional effects can have on the overall quality of
a video. Overall, this experience has been incredibly rewarding and has
enhanced our understanding and appreciation of stop-motion animation.
Observations
During the ideation phase, we meticulously examined Mr Martin's proposal
list and engaged in brainstorming sessions to generate ideas for our
stop-motion video. We sought inspiration from YouTube videos that showcased
captivating effects, dynamic movements, and innovative camera angles. The
process of analyzing these references and considering how we could
incorporate similar techniques into our project was truly captivating. As a
result, we approached the final shooting session with greater preparedness
and effortlessly completed all the remaining scenes. The combination of
careful planning, drawing inspiration from successful examples, and our
improved readiness resulted in a smooth and successful execution of our
stop-motion video.
Findings
During the editing process in Adobe Premiere Pro, we recognized the
significant role of sound effects and background music in enhancing the
storytelling aspect of our stop-motion video. To achieve this, I curated a
collection of appropriate sounds and music, strategically incorporating
them at specific moments to create the desired impact. This addition truly
elevated the overall viewing experience, immersing the audience in the
narrative.
Additionally, I proposed the inclusion of additional effects, such as
visual expressions, to further enhance the engagement of the video. We
delved deeper into this concept and decided to integrate these effects
during the final editing phase. It proved to be a fantastic decision, as
these effects added an extra layer of creativity, captivating the audience
even further.
This stop-motion project served as a valuable learning experience for me
as a design student. It provided the opportunity to explore new
techniques, collaborate effectively with a partner, and gain a deeper
understanding of the intricacies involved in creating a visually
captivating and meaningful video.
Quick Links
Video and Sound Production: Lectures & Exercises
Video and Sound Production: Project 2 _ Shooting and
Editing
Video and Sound Production_Final Compilation and Reflection
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