ALTERNATE STRATEGIES: SAND ANIMATION
1. PLAYING IN SAND
Assignment: Sand Animation
Break out your tools and start animating in sand. Don't worry about content right now. Simply get used to making textures, patterns and simple images that move.
Be sure to play with different techniques. Try using stencils, spreaders with various edge patterns and even your fingers.
Clean up your work station
1. When you are finished scoop sand back into containers with small and broom and card stock.
2. Use the small shop vac to clean up sand from entire work area including keyboard.
Post your animation to Discord #sand-animation
Specs:
- Shoot in 4:3 or 16:9 Aspect Ratio
- Animate in 1's @ 12 FPS
- Export movie 1440 x 1080 or 1920 x 1080 H264
Naming: simpsonB_sandPlay.mp4
2. MORPH ASSIGNMENT
Morph: For the morph assignment you will begin with one image (sillhouette on white) morph to a second image, and then end on a reverse of your original image (white against black). Be sure to adjust the exposure on your test image to achieve a strong sillhouette.
Reading Note: If you haven't already, you will want to read Animating a Sandy Morph, a 12 step excercise (pp. 82-86 in Fluid Frames) that will walk you through the basics of this assignment.
Studio Workflow: Follow these steps for set-up and work flow in the Downshooter lab:
1. Set up Dragonframe or Stop Motion Studio at 12 fps
2. Work directly from your personal hard drive so you will have your original frames.
3. When you are finished scoop sand back into containers with small broom and card stock.
4. Use shop vac to clean up sand from entire work area including keyboard.
Post your animation to Discord #sand-animation
Specs:
- Shoot in 4:3 or 16:9 Aspect Ratio
- Animate in 1's @ 12 FPS
- Export movie 1440 x 1080 or 1920 x 1080 H264
Naming: simpsonB_sandMorph.mp4
3. SAND ALPHABET - TARGET IMAGES - UNIQUE TOOLS
Reading Note: If you haven't already, you will want to read Animating The Sandy Studio (pp.86-91 in Fluid Frames) for a brief introduction on what kinds of tools are most effective in sand animation.
1. Research and sketch: Brainstorm in your Alt. Strat. Journel by making a list of all the possabilities of images that begin (or are associated with) your assigned letter and then create a series of thumbnail images with strong silhouttes that are readible even without detail. Once you have a direction you would like to go in, do a Google image search and download images that can help inform your target image.
2. Explore target images in sand: Not that you have a direction, spend some time in the sand experementing with diferent ways to represent your target image. At some point, I suggest you put away your refernce images and start taking suggestions fro the sand.
3. Incorporate unique tools: Spend some time looking for tools that will give you a unique imprint or mark in the sand. This could be anything from a special feather, a rigid utensil or even a stencil. I have found stencils, rubber stamps, textured fabrics and even cut-out sillhouettes give an interesting results.
4. Each time you discover an interesting option, besure to capture the image by clicking a frame. This way, you'll have a series of images you can draw from and share your best three with the rest of the class.
Post your three best images to Discord #sand-animation
Specs:
- Shoot in 4:3 or 16:9 Aspect Ratio
- Export original sized image sequence instead of a movie.
Naming: simpsonB_sandTarget.jpg
4. SAND ALPHABET - ANIMATION
1. Begin with a stencil of your assigned letter:
1. Create a stencil and register it in frame using a plastic peg bar. Be sure you are framed identically to your classmates.
2. Once you've settled in on an idea set up Drgonframe @ 12 FPS
2. Create a 5-10 second animation that in some way accentuates your letter:
1. Starting with a blank screen, slowly fade on the letter by sprinkling sand into the stencil.
2. Animate something playful that accentuates your letter.
3. Clean up your work station
1. When you are finished scoop sand back into containers with small and broom and card stock.
2. Use shop vac to clean up sand from entire work area including keyboard.
Specs:
- Shoot in 4:3 Aspect Ratio
- Make sure your letter is framed identically to your classmates
- Animate in 1's @ 12 FPS
- Export movie 1440 x 1080 H264
Naming: Submit to @DROP BOX:
simpsonB_sandAlphabet.mp4
Stephan Leeper/Central Michigan University 2020
