Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Pre-Production Booklet for Animation

Name: Alec Berryman

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Order of contents (italics show areas you must add in yourself)
Assessment criteria
LO2

Mind maps of ideas

Risk assessment

Format of your animation

Subject and storyline

Character notes and profiles

Movement of characters

Moodboard

Sets/backgrounds

Audio and soundtrack

Sound table

Props list

Audience

Storyboard and script (add script to booklet)

Frame rates

Lighting design

Production schedule

Crew details

LO3

Frame Numbers

Dope Sheets

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

https://docs.google.com/document/d/116XUbxd5R0_ch4JLh3Hz6dd3rMt1RvMp8n2TGPf0vt
w/edit

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

How to use this booklet

You will need to complete every page of this booklet, and all sections / questions
required.
Assessment criteria for Distinction grade;
LO2
Plans will show a full consideration of movement and continuity, perspective, point of view,
transitions and special effects.
Precise and workable planning of timing and synchronization to a soundtrack will be
produced. It will be clear at this stage, from the documentation, what the finished piece will
look and sound like.
Learners will follow industry conventions and terminology used in storyboard production
correctly.
Plans for the construction of models, sets and props will be realistic and clear.
Drawings, script and storyboard will all show a creative interpretation of the idea.
LO3:
The documentation linked to the production will be full and detailed and there will be
evidence that the production management and scheduling of the project has been effective
and carried out in a professional manner. The techniques used in the production of the work
are likely to be related to an understanding of current trends in the industry.

Both LO2 and LO3

In all practical activity learners will be capable of working autonomously and effectively. They
will work on their own initiative, will not need constant support or supervision, will give the
work their full commitment, work positively and cooperatively with others, and meet
deadlines. In other words, they will have the kind of self-management skills that would be
expected of them in a professional context. Note also that this criterion should not be taken
to mean that learners do not seek advice or that they work without discussing things with
their tutor, but rather that they are not dependent upon the support of others and that when
they take advice they weigh it carefully for themselves.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Planning
Brainstorm / mind map (add extra pages if necessary)

Attach a 400-word treatment of your idea

My ideas for my stop motion production is a story of a dancing audition with a twist. There
will be two characters in this video, firstly the main focus point of the video will be on the
character who has come in for the audition. He will originally have a very basic and plain
body and face but as the music drops this will all change. The second character will be a
very miserable character who is a judge who is judging the primary character. This character
will be very static and have very little facial expression as he is not impressed with what is
happening right up till the very end.
The First part of the video will show the main character walking on stage to the sound of the
song being used in a very static way with very little movement. As the music get closer to the
drop more vibrant colour start to begin on screen. Eventually the drop happens and the main
character begins to levitate into the air, as this happens colours will also appear making the
set more vibrant and colourful while character 1 is floating. This will carry on unit it has
around 5 seconds left where it will cut to two different close ups of the characters, switching

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

between the two until it finally holds on the judge and a smile appears on his face for the last
second. The judge will have a neutral face right up to this point on the video.
The video is made to play to the song ZHU & G-Eazy - Faded (Afterfab Remix) This song is
all about the build up to the eventual drop. This song will be represented in a visual style on
screen, with character 1 building up to the drop with his movements and expressions. This
will be done by character 1 having fairly slow and minute movements on the lead up to the
drop where his movements and expressions will be optimized to the point where the
character is literally levitating in the air, with character two looking on in amazement.
The point of the video will be dramatizing the video to make it seem like more of an epic
song by creating a short story to show off the song and have a video that goes hand in hand
with the song.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

How will you meet the requirements of your brief?

Aspects of brief and how I will complete them:
1 minutes long Story stretched to fit the time.
2 characters First character Dancing on the stage
Second character Judge
I will plan my production in a way that it is all complete by the deadline (13th January) I will do
this my planning out sessions which I will complete different parts of the production to
ensure that all the production is complete by the deadline.

Risk assessment: Are there any health and safety issues you may encounter?
Other than be careful not to trip when setting up the models and taking the photos. This is
very easy to avoid just be careful where you are walking and standing and make sure you
can see where you are going. Carrying all the equipment into where I will shoot may be a
hazard. as the equipment and sets are big and heavy so I will get a friend to drive me to my
shoot. My shoot will be fairly safe with basically no hazards.

Discuss any legal issues you may face. Eg; sound, plagiarism, age restrictions

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Music rights with my song, the song is non copyrighted so I can use it with no issues.

ZHU & G-Eazy - Faded (Afterfab Remix)

Plagiarism, ensure that I dont copy anything in my video from a different music video.
The song does have some adult language so I will have to work around it and cut those
parts out in order to keep it okay for younger audiences.
The BBFC regulate age restrictions on videos by looking at aspects such as adult language
and regulate what age groups should be watching.

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/
Upload links to the copyright website and the age Restrictions BBFC

Use of possible formats

Circle which of the following formats your animation will take;
stop-frame techniques
time lapse photography
plasticine animation
Claymation
using found objects
modelling
puppetry

combined formats

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Why are you using that particular format?

I will be using:
Claymation
Modelling
Green screen

What are the different possibilities you could explore using this format?
I could use a lot of creativity when building the set and also using the green screen. Also with
my models I can mold the clay on to my liking to create a snobbish character, and use the
wooden model to use a large variety of movement

What are the limitations of using this format? (i.e what problems/ obstacles might you
have?)
With the set I build it will be difficult to reform it and move things around. I am also not a
professional with molding, so one of the models will only be as good as I am at molding.
If I had a longer period of time I would also increase the time of the video as well as the
amount of frames per second, but this would dramatically increase how long the production
would take me to create.

What imaginative or inventive animations have you seen which use this format?
Add in links and screen shots of three examples of animations using this format.
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9k97zpz4Hw

This video show simple stop motion using

the same material which I will be using for my clay character. It shows the flexibility of the

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

model and have it can be adjusted to change it mood, similar to what my second
character will be doing at the end of my video.
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMmRYuDoF9g
In this video it shows the same wooden model which I will be using dancing in a very
similar way to which I will make mine dance. I can apply some of the movement to my
production.

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJlqQSMifqk
Again in this video shows more movement which I could use to a higher standard.

From these videos I can learn from what they have done well and not so well, I can then take
this and implement it into my own work.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Subject
What will the subject of your animation be?
Character 1s development from the boring dance to going to a crazy floating dance. The
change from boring and dull to bright and exciting.

Storyline
Describe the storyline of your animation. What events will happen to your characters?
1.. Shows character 1 slowly moving to the music.
2. Build up to the drop.
3. Speech bubble come from character 2 You know this is a dance audition?!
4. Music drop and character 1 begins to levitate.
5. More dramatic movement and dancing from character 1.
6. Come to an end with a smile from character 2.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Characters
What characters will be in your animation?
Character 1- Character one will be the primary character who will be on screen dancing to
floating.
Character 2- This will be a miserable character who isnt enjoying the dance right unto the
end.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Complete the character profiles for each character in your animation

Name:
M/F:
Age
Costume:

Character 1
M
30
Plain wood costume up into the drop where he will gain color

Occupation:
Ex professional footballer, career ended by injury. Now a cleaner
Hobbies:

Cleaning
Football
Music
Gym lad
Dancing

Character
Background:

OCD
Recently divorced
Midlife crisis
Parentage unknown

Name:
M/F:
Age
Costume:

Character 2
F
73
Plain blain black smart cloths

Occupation:
Judge
Hobbies:
Watching strictly come dancing
Character
Background:

Been a judge for 50 years

Millionaire husband
Miserable
No family, no friends

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Add in images and drawings/ sketches of what they will look like.

Second half the same but colored in, when levitating.

What will they be made of?

Character 1 Made of a wooden model, already acquired.
Character 2 - Made of Clay

Movement of characters

How are you going to make your characters move?

Character 1- Adjust limbs and move body in-between shots, see through string will be used
to make him fly.
Character 2 Mold clay differently between shots/frames

What is the purpose of an armature?

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

This is an electoral motor which helps to build the sculptures to your own liking. It is a metal
coil which gives my models a structure and ensure that they dont fall apart and flop about.

Will you use them for your characters?

I bought my wooden model which already has an armature.
For my clay model I will use an armature to sculpt around.

If so, how will you make it?

I will sculpt the clay around the armature and make it into the shape which I want. The
armature will help me to have a strong structure and a base to work around.

Mood board
Create a mood board showing what look your animation will have. Add images showing
ideas of mise-en-scene, characters, costumes and colors that will be present in the different
shots.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Sets / backgrounds
Will your set be;

A three wall set

A blue/green screen

An existing location

A Combination of two or more of the above

Draw sketches of how your sets/backgrounds will look. Add in labels to your diagrams and
details of locations / lighting etc.
Location Auditorium
Light one Spotlight
Light two Color and strobe light

I will build my set my using two boxes and covering the back of the boxes in green paper so I
can later add in the backgrounds

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Add in photographs of your sets/backgrounds.

Will create an animation for the stage background full of bright lights and big epic
movements. I will add a green screen to the back of my stage set and add it in in the editing
process.
Something similar to this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiChpw0ul_8

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Audio and Soundtrack

What audio will you have for your animation?
ZHU & G-Eazy - Faded (Afterfab Remix)

What actions will need sound effects?

The video is a music video so there should not may many sound effects.

Think of the scenes in your animation. Each scene should have different sounds/music to
give information about the mood / emotions of the characters.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Sound Table
Production Name:
Producer:

Shot

Action

Description
of Sound

Diegetic/non/diegetic

Atmosphere
created

Front
shot

walking

Footsteps
very subtle

Diegetic

Subtle
sound

Floating
in the air

Flying
sound ,
thruster
type sound

Diegetic

Epic

Shot of
characte
r1
levitating

Musical
type and
atmosphere

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Props List
What props / models / furniture etc. will you need to make your animation?
PROPS LIST
Production Name:
Producer:

Item

Script page

Description

Character/location

Stage

all

Stage used from

character 1 to
stand on

Character 1 in
auditorium

Audience
Gender
All genders

Age

Notes

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

16-24

Interests

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Music
Sports
Partying

What forms of animation might they already watch?

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

TV shows such as family guy

Cartoons when they were younger
Other music videos

What images do you think they enjoy watching?

Entertaining images of impressive art on screen such as bright color and visually stimulating
images

What might they consider distasteful or offensive?

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Racism
Sexism
Religious people could see it as symbolism for Christ, its not.

How will you ensure that your animation will suit your chosen audience?
I will do research into what the audience enjoy and add the feedback to the animation, for
example my target audience enjoys supernatural and superhero type videos with high
excitement and lots of things in the happening. So in my video I will build up to a big
explosive second half, which will be more appreciated by the buildup.

How will they physically watch your animation? (i.e in an exhibition format, on screen,
projection, online?)
On the YouTube format VEVO trailer style. YouTube has a very large reach, especially my
demographic who spend a large amount of time on this site.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Storyboard
Complete a storyboard for your animation.
15
second
s

10 seconds

10
second
s

15 seconds

5 seconds

5 seconds

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Think carefully about the shots you will be using. Consider the range of shots/angles
to give interest and perspective
You

Frame Rates

Shots

Camera Angles

Extreme long shot

Birds-eye view

Long Shot

High angle

Medium Shot

Eye-level

Two Shot

Low angle

Movement
Over
the Shoulder

Editing

Pan
Medium
Close up

Montage

Tilt up
Close

Cross cutting

Tracking
Shotup
Extreme
close

Match cut
Shot, reverse shot
Eye-line match
Jump cut
Tracking shot

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

What is the duration of your animation in minutes? (minimum 30 seconds)
1 minute

In seconds?
60 seconds

How many frames per second for video? 16

There are 60 seconds in a minute. How many frames (i.e. Individual photos) will you
need to take? 960

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Lighting Design

Where will you be photographing your animation?

In a dark room with the set lit with artificial lights

Does it have natural daylight?

No

If so, you will need to block this out. Explain why.

The scene is set in an auditorium so there would only be artificial light. Also when I have the
other color lights it will look better in the dark, so it will be essential to block the natural light.

Do you have a constant light source(s) such as a lamp?

For the first 15- 20 second I will have a consistent light, a spotlight ion character 1 and a
standard lamp on character 2., then there will the colored and flashing lights in the parts after
this.

Where will you place your light source(s) to create interesting effects?
Front facing light

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Spotlight camera placed above character one (above)
Colored light from side above and front facing, I will also add lights in the editing.

(LO3)

Frame numbers
You will need to label your images as frames
The first 24 frames will be written as;
0_1
0_2 etc etc.

the following 24 will be

1_1
1_2
1_3
Ensure your clips are labeled as such. Screen shot the folder your clips are in, and copy the
image underneath.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Dope sheets
A dope sheet is an animation tool which helps an animator organize the animation shot-byshot.
This gives the camera operator instructions on each shot type and how many frames this will
be used for.
A dope sheet is usually split into 5 different sections.

To indicate what action occurs on which frame number

To see what action is happening in this shot.
To see what dialogue used in this scene.
To show what level of animation is happening.
To give camera instructions (angle).

For example;

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Because you will be working with video, you will be using 30fps. You will need to complete a
dope sheet for EVERY SECOND of your animation.
i.e, if you make a 30 second animation, you will need to complete 30 dope sheets.
This will be a time-consuming task, but it will help you understand what will need to
happen in each of the shots you take. The higher marks will come from a detailed and
careful collection of dope sheets. For example, if your characters speaks, you will need to
show the mouth forming every shape in order to look effective.

Frame
0_1
0_2
0_3
0_4
0_5
0_6
0_7
0_8
0_9
0_10
0_11
0_12
0_13
0_14
0_15
0_16
0_17
0_18
0_19
0_20
0_21

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

0_22
0_23
0_24
0_25
0_26
0_27
0_28
0_29
0_30
Frame
1_1
1_2
1_3
1_4
1_5
1_6
1_7
1_8
1_9
1_10
1_11
1_12
1_13
1_14
1_15
1_16
1_17
1_18
1_19
1_20
1_21

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

1_22
1_23
1_24
1_25
1_26
1_27
1_28
1_29
1_30

Frame
2_1
2_2
2_3
2_4
2_5
2_6
2_7
2_8
2_9
2_10
2_11
2_12
2_13
2_14
2_15
2_16
2_17
2_18
2_19
2_20

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

2_21
2_22
2_23
2_24
2_25
2_26
2_27
2_28
2_29
2_30
Copy and paste as many dope sheets as you need. Remember to change the frame
numbering so that the first number refers to the second of animation ie, 1_24 is the 24th
frame of the first second, 3_17 is the 17th frame of the 3rd second.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Liaising with client (write notes on discussions between you and your client)

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet