Materials

Step 2: Materials

Once students have planned out the story line, they can then decide what materials they will need to use to create the characters, props, and backdrop.

Backdrops/ Sets:

First students should decide what kind of set will work best for their story. Choose from the 3 set options (shown in the images below).

Students can paint, draw, and color on construction paper to create their backdrop. They may need a few different backdrops depending on how many different settings there are in their story.
In some cases, a plain white background might be all they need (for example when explaining a mathematical concept).
The green screen is a fun option. If students are using the Stop Motion App on the iPad, they can film their movie in front of a green screen, and choose a backdrop image later.
Students can also use a whiteboard! Check out this example.

Flat Set

Benefits:

Easy set up (background should be taped down at the edges)
Characters and props can be 2D/ made out of flat paper
Characters and props can be easily moved around without falling down
Household materials can easily be utilized within the filming process.

Standing Set

Benefits:

3D figurines can be used as characters and props
Create depth with foreground and background
Works well with green screen

Diorama Set

Benefits:

3D figurines can be used as characters and props
Create depth with foreground and background
Can hang items from the ceiling to create floating or flying effect
Don't have to worry about edges of scene showing (doesn't limit your field of view)

Characters and Props:

If the characters will need to do a lot of movement in the movie, it is best to create them out of a bendable material such as pipe cleaners, playdough, or clay.

Below is a list of ideas for materials to create characters and props with:

Plastic figurines
Paper cut-outs
Tissue paper
Drawn/ painted on paper with watercolors, markers, crayons, etc
Printed image from computer
Play dough (Play dough recipe)
Clay (How to create a clay character)
Legos
Toy cars
Pipe cleaners
Tape
Foil
Brads to create movable parts
People
Realia!
Chalkboard/whiteboard

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