How to Make a Stop Motion Pro Animation

Materials

• Large Cardboard Box
• Green Cellophane
• Brown Paint
• Textas
• Light-emitting Source
• Plasticine (as many colours as possible)
• Computer
• Web-cam
• Stop Motion Pro Software
• Microsoft Movie Maker Software
• Scissors
• Wires
• Cello tape
• Ruler
• Dirt
• Plants

Method

1. Organise and plan whose everyone's role is in the group. A compromise was made with Ivan Chan doing the write-up and setting; Jack D'Arcy doing the story board and setting; and Nick Womernosley and James Neely doing the models as well as I.T.
   1. Design the storyboard of the film by sketching the outline of the plot.
   2. Obtain the large cardboard box and cut a large hole in the top of the cardboard box using the scissors.
   3. Cut the measured hole to allow light to pass through the opening. The cardboard box is to be used as the main set for filming.
   4. Stick the green cellophane on top of the hole in the cardboard box to produce a "green-light" effect.
   5. Model the plasticine into props - trees, nests and eggs.
   6. Paint the base of the cardboard box in brown paint to create a "mud" effect like the rainforest.
   7. Decorate and sketch the background of the box with trees and plants using the textas.
   8. Scatter and sprinkle the dirt as well as plants over the base of the cardboard box as a finishing touch and to accentuate the "rainforest effect".
   9. Twist and bend the wires into the shape of the main characters of the film i.e. the cassowaries and cassowary chicks. This would be the "frame" of the models.
   10. Conceal the wires by moulding them with plasticine to create a more "3D physical" appearance of the characters.
   11. Position the set (cardboard box) in front of the web-cam which should be plugged into the computer.
   12. Place the camera over the hole on the cardboard to enable light to shine through the hole.
   13. Film the models inside the set by moving them around as stated in the storyboard.
   14. Shoot photos after each movement by a model character. There is to be two frames per each movement of each model.
   15. Repeat the "photo-procedure" until filming is completed.
   16. Open Microsoft Movie Player on the computer.
   17. Import the film and photos onto this program.
   18. Enhance the film by adding "extras" such as titles, credits, acknowledgments slides between the movies etc.
   19. Type up the write-up.
   20. Edit all the work.