Learn about our Cameras - The Nikon D 3100 DSLR

Today we will be working on flipbooks, but first I want to talk about cameras.

We will have access to a number of cameras to use for our animations, including webcams, but for the next project we will use a Nikon DSLR. 

When we install the software on your computers you will have the option of using either the Nikons or a webcam...we'll learn how to set up and use the webcam next week.

We will be using Nikon DSLRs in class. Here is a link to the online guide for the Nikon D 3100.

You'll need to know how to access the online guide and find information about the Nikon D 3100.

I want you to know the following:

• Find the Mode Dial
• Locate and explain the various settings on the Mode Dial, including P, S, A, M and the Auto modes
• Find the Information Display, and locate and click on the ISO, Aperture, and Shutter settings within the display.

Next week we will start to work with the cameras to create chalkboard-whiteboard type frame by frame animations.

you should really be close to finishing your flipbooks. Don't forget that a Phenakistoscope is required too.

Here are some example of whiteboard animation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vZ0iqUS6sg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8b381MQyPU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqupJBlwOYw

Continue work on Flipbooks

Today we will continue the work we began last class on flipbooks. I want to see everybody being highly creative this morning!!!!

Flipbooks

Flipbooks
Low-tech animation using paper pads and pencils create short narratives and study movement. Introduce Stop Motion Pro by filming flipbook animation.

Objectives
You will make short animations using the most basic of materials – paper and
pencils. This introduces the concept of timing to animation. Completed flipbooks can be turned into films using Stop Motion Pro.

Tasks
You can make flipbooks using small pads of plain, white, unlined paper and pencils. Old workbooks could also be used in place of paper pads. The first drawing is made on the last page of the pad. When the next page is flipped onto it, the next drawing in the sequence can be made. It will be possible to see through the new piece of paper to the first drawing. It is then possible to trace the drawing with a slight change. Repeat this process over several pages. Using the thumb to control the speed, display the drawings as an animation by flipping the pages.
Ideas for animating in flipbooks: “Stick figure Olympics” - Using simple stick figures make animations of them running, jumping and competing in Olympic events. “Shape Morph” – Make your first drawing a square. Over the next ten pages gradually change the shape into a flower, over the next ten change the shape back into something else, like a horse, continue doing this with new shapes, following the ten
drawing rule, an interesting rhythm will appear when flipping the pages.
Swap the completed flipbooks among students. These flipbooks can be converted to short animations using Stop Motion Pro to capture the individual drawings.

Assessment
You will produce a completed flipbook. I encourage you to use original concepts or ideas.
Resources

Paper pads (or recycle by using old workbooks), pencils, colored marker pens etc.

Concept
The flipbook is a similar concept to the popular commercial form of animation called “cel animation”. A series of drawings with minor changes are presented in rapid sequence to produce the illusion of movement. This concept has been refined to a great art form by Disney, and a successful advertising

The Thaumatrope and Persistence of Vision

Objectives
Today we will explore the phenomena of “persistence of vision”, and make a replica 19th Century toy illustrating the principle. Students should also understand that these devices were precursors to the invention of the movie film camera. 
Concept
Animation has a rich history, dating from prehistoric cave paintings through to today’s high tech 3D animation simulating real life; this is credited to a phenomenon called “persistence of vision”. Animation history begins with a simple mechanical toy called the “Thaumatrope”. This optical toy was in wide circulation in Europe and America in the 19th Century. The toy was very simple - a paper disc attached to two pieces of string. Each side of
the disk had a drawing, a classic being one side a bird, the other a cage. The disk was twirled by twisting the strings between the fingers. This produced an effect of blending the two images together; the bird was in the cage. This perceptual phenomenon is known as the “persistence of vision”. Our eyes hold on to images for slightly longer than they are actually projected. Rather than a blur we perceive the images as a continuous picture. This phenomenon is used to its greatest effect in television and films, where rapid sequences of still images give the illusion of movement.

Tasks
Build a Thaumatrope. Use a piece of heavy cardboard to produce some paper discs. Use a hole punch to make two holes on opposite sides of the disc. Thread some string though the holes and the Thaumatrope is complete. Recreate the bird in a cage effect, or try something else. Experiment with photographs cut out from magazines, on one side of the disc stick the photograph of a celebrity, on the other draw in glasses, a beard, hat or whatever comes to mind. The image on the right shows a
completed Thaumatrope.



For a challenge, now try creating a “Phenakistoscope” 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rzwdRqsuVM

Here are a couple of videos illustrating the concept

What color is the ball?

The Zoetrope

Welcome to the Course

Good morning and welcome to 3 Dimensional design. Today we'll go over the syllabus and take a look at some examples of stop-motion animation.

Make sure that you and your parent or guardian read the syllabus and send an email confirmation to me at johncazort@ga.ozark.k12.mo.us


Also, search for examples of sculpture and animation that appeals to you. We'll share next time.