Stop motion

Literacy Lesson 2

Visual language and characterisation

Introduction

Watch the video below for an introduction to the lesson.

Lesson overview

Duration 1:09

Understanding the tasks

Rating the tasks

This lesson contains a few activities. Each activity will have one or more tasks. These tasks have been given a rating.

Some of the tasks in this lesson are must do. These are important to help you understand the introductory ideas or skills.

Have a go at the should do tasks and reach out to your friends or teacher if you need some advice. These will usually take a bit longer to complete than must do tasks.

Could do tasks will probably take you some extra time and might need you to get creative or problem solve. We strongly encourage you to try these.

Activity 1 - Visual associations

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Task 1 - KWL

This week you are going to learn a lot about visual language and how visual choices imply ideas and create associations.

  1. Open the Graphic texts KWL Google Slides.

    • Click on the image to open a new tab and view the Google Slides.

    • Click on the Use Template button to create a copy for you to edit.

    • Complete the 'What I know' and 'What I wonder' sections.

Note: We will be completing the 'What I learned' column later in the week.

image link to KWL Google slides
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Task 2 - Colour symbolism

  1. Watch the video, Color symbolism.

  2. Complete the interactive below about colour meanings.

Note: Colour is spelled with a 'u' in Australian English, but without the 'u' in American English.

Color symbolism

Duration 6:53

Note: On the last slide, make sure you use the blue Export text button to create a Word document containing all your written answers so you can share your work with your teacher.

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Task 3 - Shape language and material associations

Work through this interactive to become more visually literate! You'll learn about the (usually unconscious) associations we make with different visual choices.

Note: On the last slide, make sure you use the blue Export text button to create a Word document containing all your written answers so you can share your work with your teacher.

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Task 4 - Cultural associations

You've learned that colour associations are culturally based.

Research what different colours mean in other cultures.

  1. Open the Colour associations Google Slides.

    • Click on the image to open a new tab and view the Google Slides.

    • Click on the Use Template button to create a copy for you to edit.

Image link to Colour associations around the world template

Activity 2 - Characterisation

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Task 1 - Indirect characterisation

As part of your stop motion task, you will be creating a character (or a few). Characterisation is the art of conveying to an audience what a character is like.

Note: On the last slide, make sure you use the blue Export text button to create a Word document containing all your written answers so you can share your work with your teacher.

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Task 2 - Analysing character design

Work through the interactive below to learn more about how the creators of Minions and Coraline used shape language and colour associations.

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Task 3 - Subverting expectations

Work through the interactive below to learn more about how and why we might break design rules.

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Task 4

  1. Watch the video, Pixar's Up: how set design tells a story

  2. Rewatch a scene from your favourite animation.

  3. Analyse its set and character design.

  • Click on the button to open a new tab and view the Google Slide.

  • Click on the Use Template button to create a copy for you to edit.

Note: For an alternative task, instead of watching your favourite animation, read your favourite story and analyse how the composer has used colour and shape in creating character and setting.

Pixar's Up: how set design tells a story

Duration 3:41

Want to check your written answers for Activity 1, Task 2 and 3 and Activity 2, Task 1?

Note: The following questions do not have one correct answer. Therefore your answer may be very different to what you see written below. That's OK!

Activity 1, Task 2

Question 8

List as many experiences or situations as you can, where you might need to think carefully about colour choices. E.g when designing a logo for a business, when choosing colours for an invitation

Suggested answer(s):

  • dressing for different situations

  • designing a room

  • designing a visual text

  • reading a visual text

  • creating a business presentation


Activity 1, Task 3

Question 9

Look at the size, shape and material choices this composer has made in designing this setting. What associations are created for you? Explain them.

Suggested answer:

The house has many round shapes which makes it seem inviting and warm. It seems small compared to the plants, which makes it seem magical or unrelated to humans. The wooden material makes it feel natural and part of its environment.

Activity 2, Task 1

Question 3a

What are two things Catra says AND what do they make you think about her?

Suggested answer:

Catra says, “What are you too dumb to understand a simple question?” This makes me think she is sarcastic and isn’t afraid to hurt people’s feelings. She also says, “Spit it out already – where are they going?” This makes me think she is somewhat aggressive and very direct.

Question 3b

What is an action Catra takes and what does it make you think of her?

Suggested answer:

Catra brandishes her weapon and threatens a much larger character. This makes me think she is either very brave, a very skilled fighter or that she has little care for her own safety.

Question 3c

How do the others react to Catra? What does that make you think of her?

Suggested answer:

The other characters become scared of her and do what she wants. This makes me think she is very intimidating.


Question 8

Write a description of a character, a school student, who is thoughtful and kind. Try to include as many elements of STEAL as you can.

Suggested answer:

Miranda noticed her teacher walking into class carrying all the textbooks. They looked heavy so Miranda quickly went over and said, "Miss, let me help!" She took some of the textbooks off the teacher and carried them into the room. When they entered, most of the other students were already seated. Miranda saw that the new girl was sitting alone so she went and sat with her. 'I remember my first day,' she thought to herself, ' I don't want anyone to feel as lonely as I did.' The new girl smiled at her as she sat down.

Question 12

Harry saw his Dad was ringing. Again?!, he thought to himself, rolling his eyes. “Hey Dad! Nice to hear from you,” he said, as he picked up the phone.

Harry’s words and thoughts conflict. What does this make you think about him?

Suggested answer:

It would depend on his other behaviour. He might just be a kind son, who doesn’t want his father to know that he irritates him. Or, he might be a people pleaser who never says how he really feels.

Handing in your work

Don't forget to hand in the work you completed today!

  • Your teacher will have told you to do one of the following:

    • Upload any digital documents you created and any photos you took of your written work to your Learning Management system (MS Teams, Google Classroom for example).

    • Email any digital documents you created and any photos you took of your written work to your teacher.

Make sure you keep any handwritten work you did in your exercise book or folder as your teacher may need to see these when you are back in class.