2.2 2D Digital animation (stop motion)

• Meaning and importance of 2D digital animation
• Types of 2D animation: traditional animation, digital 2D animation and stop motion animation
• Simplicity of character: puppet and clay model
• Minimal transition in movement
• Camera setting for stop motion animation
• Frames per second and panels
• Storyline and storyboarding for animation
• Techniques of traditional 2D and stop motion animation
• Digital portfolio for 2D digital animation
• Modelling a character and setting the camera for successive shots
• Importing shots into animation software: frames, timing and progression
• Presentation and fair critique of own and others animated works

• explain 2D digital animation for familiarity
• create a 2D character for stop motion animation
• animate the character in stop motion
• acknowledge own and others animated presentations and characters

“How does stop motion enhance creativity in animation?”

“How is a frame different from a panel in digital animation?”

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1. What is 2D digital animation?
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Introduce 2D digital animation and the two key inquiry questions.
2. How animation works: persistence of vision
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Explain how still frames are seen as movement.
3. Types of 2D animation
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Compare traditional, digital and stop motion animation.
4. Storyline and storyboarding
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Plan the story and draw a storyboard before animating.
5. Designing a 2D character for stop motion
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Design a simple character that is easy to move and photograph.
6. Materials and modelling a character
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Choose materials and model a stop motion character.
7. Exaggeration and expression
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Use exaggeration to make the feeling of a character clear.
8. Frames, panels and frames per second
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Distinguish a frame from a panel and use frames per second.
9. Minimal transition in movement
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Move the character a little at each frame for smooth motion.
10. Camera setting for stop motion
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Set the camera so that every shot is steady and framed the same way.
11. Lighting the set
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Light the stage evenly and keep the light steady.
12. Building the stop motion stage
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Build a flat, steady stage with a plain backdrop.
13. Shooting successive shots
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Photograph, move a little, and photograph again.
14. Motion and change of position
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Build an action from small, timed changes of position.
15. Creating a digital portfolio
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Store and organise all the animation files in a digital portfolio.
16. Importing shots into animation software
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Import the shots and place them in order on the timeline.
17. Timing and progression
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Choose a frame rate and keep the clip under 30 seconds.
18. Editing the animation
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Improve the clip by trimming, reordering and previewing.
19. Adding sound to the animation
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Add narration, music and sound effects to the clip.
20. Rendering and exporting
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Render the frames into a file and save it safely.
21. Presenting and critiquing animations
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Present the animation and appraise own and others work fairly.
22. How stop motion enhances creativity
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Show how stop motion builds creativity and carry a message.