Best Practices

Before beginning a project, it is imperative that students prepare for their stop motion animation. 

This may include:

• Identifying the purpose of the animation

• Storyboarding the events

• Identifying materials needed

• Creating or building backgrounds

• Building props or characters

Allow plenty of time to set up. 

Some expert tips:

• Use a background.

• Tape paper backgrounds to tables.

• Adjust for lighting.

• Mark where the camera location is in case it gets bumped.

• Have a countdown to capture to eliminate hands in shots.

Check out some of HUE's set making tips.

Teach students how to capture and allow for some practice time. 

Practice deleting, holding, and duplicating frames. 

Once students have had some time to explore, it's time to get started on the final product.

Determining what platform to use and who your audience will be, is important to the final production process. By utilizing a platform like Cloud Stop Motion, students can polish off their video by adding credit slides, music/sound effects, text, and transitions. Any additions to the animation should contribute to the overall message, not distract from it. 

Use a platform like Flip or Google Sites to share students' final productions.