Animation: Import Pictures into Final Cut

1. Make sure the pictures are on the server for your whole group to get.
2. Open Final Cut Pro
3. Go to Final Cut Pro>User Preferences
4. Select Editing>Change Still Frame Duration to 00:00:05
5. Go to File>Import>Import Folder> and select on your stop motion picture folder

Final Cut Shortcuts:
Render Red=Command R
Render Green=Control R
Selection (move tool)=A
Razor Blade (cut clips)=B

Animation: Stop Motion Assignment

Your next project is a stop motion animation assignment. You will work in groups of three. You will have two full class periods to shoot your assignment using my digital cameras. You will edit your videos on final Cut Pro and add sound effects and music.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJzU3NjDikY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtbQ4J3RfQ8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_HXUhShhmY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKWdSCt4jGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBjLW5_dGAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpWM0FNPZSs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2pvO-FEqq4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m23bL9AqB0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYhhfHYZa5s&feature=related

Stop Motion Pre-Production

Please get in your groups and start planning your production.

1. Please use TEXT EDIT and turn in the following information in the STAFF server:

• Group Member names
• A four to five sentence description of your animation project. 
• Please tell me what special "tricks" you will create to make your animation look interesting. What will your characters do that they can't do in real life?
• Also, let me know if you are using props or if the characters are wearing costumes. Who will wear what outfits?
• Most importantly please tell me the story from beginning to end.
• What type of music will you use? Why?
• What kind of sound effects will you add?

2. Create a shot sheet. Write down the different shots you will take and the order you will take them. List the locations as well.
3. Create a storyboard of the first 45 frames.

 Each video will need:

1.                 Fade In/Out

2.                 Titles

3.                 Credits

4.                 Music and sound effects

Awkward Family Photos

Your homework over break is to create awkward family photos like those seen on http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/ and https://gma.yahoo.com/photos/awkward-family-photos-thanksgiving-edition-slideshow/awkward-family-photos-thanksgiving-edition-photo-1384882875951.html

Friday and weekend Action Merges

On Friday I want you to go to a location where you can shoot action photos. 
Keep the camera in one spot, use a tripod, and capture a subject moving four or five times.
Do this five times in different spots at your selected location (25 pictures total).
You will merge the pictures on Monday (see below):
Suggestions for activity:

• Ice Skating
• Basketball
• Skateboarding
• Dancing
• Acting as a one-man band 
• Gymnastics
• Soccer
• Tennis

Weekend Homework
Do the exact same assignment over the weekend.

Monday Homework

4 Landscape-style Photomerges are due on Wednesday.
Please take as many pictures as you need to catch up.

Sequences

If you have overlap, use a layer mask

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReDRMX2-8n4&NR=1&feature=fvwp

step by step

• import pictures
• auto align layers
• create a new black layer mask on your top layer (alt + click on the layer mask icon in the layer palette)
• paint in white over your subject (sometimes lowering the opacity will help you see where to paint.
• flatten image
• add shadows as needed
• save

 

Photomerge Static

Your assignment over the next five to six days:

You will shoot Photomerge. These are 3-5 pictures that overlap to show a wide landscape or cityscape.
Your three  Landscape style Photomerges should be taken at three different locations preferably at different different times of day.

Use a tripod if possible. Remember to manually adjust the white balance or select something like "cloudy" or "sunny" on your camera.

Summary

• Three locations
• One Photomerge from each location
• make sure each Photomerge is taken at a different time

All three locations are due next Monday.

Action Photo Practice

Today you will shoot and turn in a full contact sheet of action pictures. You should have 10-12 panning style pictures using shutter speeds of around 1/20-1/60 and then 10-12 pictures of regular fast shutter speeds (usually 1/500-1/2500).

  Please review the motocross video with the Crocodile Hunter. The panning instruction starts at about 1:30.

Action Script

To create a STOP action script do the following:
1. Create a STOP layer on your animation timeline.
2. Control click and select actions.
3. Under TIMELINE CONTROL in the upper left hand corner double click STOP.

To create ACTION SCRIPT for your button do the following:
1. Click the frame that your button appears in the timeline.
2. Select directly on your button you have created down in the work area (not on the timeline).
3. Control Click>Actions
4. Under MOVIE CLIP CONTROL select ON and then RELEASE

5. Move the cursor to the second line

6. Under TIMELINE CONTROL select GOTO AND PLAY and then type in the frame where you want the button to transport the gamer player on the timeline.

 

Note: at the bottom of the Action Script commands your button should be selected under current selection:

Friday's Manual Adjustment Work

Manual Camera Adjustment Assignments with partners:

Come back to class in between each assignment.

1) Take ten pictures of a moving subject using ten different shutter speeds.  Create a Contact Sheet called ‘Shutter.’ (2x5)

2) Take ten pictures adjusting the iris to a different setting for each picture. Create a Contact Sheet called ‘Iris.’ (2x5)

3) Using Manual mode take pictures a subject with a shallow depth of field and deep depth of field. You CAN adjust the ISO for this assignment. The subject should be interesting to look at. Picture should be well lit and well composed. Create a contact sheet with both pictures. (2x1) Call the Contact Sheet ‘Manual.’

CYOA

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE ASSIGNMENT:
For this project you will be creating an adventure of some sorts that pauses periodically and gives the viewer a choice in where the story goes, thus a "choose your own adventure" tale! Your movie must contain:

* 8 Buttons
* goto and play
* stop
* up, over, down, hit states
* no stick figures
*multiple motion and shape tweens
* movie clips
* at least three instances of sound, sound should FILL your animation
At least three places where decisions need to be made

Please answer the questions below in Text Edit and drop the responses into the Staff Server>Mitchell>Classes>Period 1

* Who are the characters? List at least two.
Where does the story take place?List precise location with details.
* What is the main story from beginning to end? What is the main character trying to do?
* What are the options in the choose your own adventure? What are the outcomes?
* How will your animation be more interesting and better looking than your last project?