LESSON

1 4. LESSON . Stop-Motion Animation Workshop Storyboarding and Storytelling Introduction Use the technique of brainstorming to identify a topic for your group animation production;. This guide outlines the important stage of planning . for your final stop-motion animation video. You will be Engage in critical reflective thinking as part of the introduced to the process of storyboarding and story- decision-making and problem-solving process;. telling, and view examples of other students' work. You will then be introduced to the process of creating a Invent and incorporate unique visual symbols and collaborative storyboard. movement to create personal meaning in art;. Appreciate the diversity of individuals, as reflected in their artwork. Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this LESSON , you will be able to: Storyboarding Your Idea . Explain the importance of storyboarding and sto- rytelling in relation to your stop-motion animation Telling a Story project; Great animation starts with a great idea for a story.

2 Tell- ing stories is an age-old method used to communicate Use various media and technology to convey mes- ideas and recreate and preserve culture, memories and tra- sages and meaning; ditions. By learning how to tell a story through animation, you will be challenged to use symbols and movement to Work interactively, co-operatively and collabora- effectively convey your messages and stories. The intent is tively to plan and create a storyboard; to tell a meaningful story that expresses a strong message to its intended audience. 1 1 4. LESSON . Stop-Motion Animation Workshop Storyboarding and Storytelling Individual Learning Activity: Storytelling and Inspiration Introduction to Teamwork You may choose a topic from the above themes, or think up one of your own. The Thought Bubble below may help you brain- storm. Once your team identifies a theme, you may want to research it on the Internet to help you come up with a specific and Brainstorming idea for your animation.

3 The idea that you select should be interesting and meaningful to all team members. Fr d ric Back, author of the acclaimed, Oscar-winning You will create your movies in collaborative teams. Your animated film The Man Who Planted Trees, is an inspira- Note: Please take your time when devising your topic and story for your animated video, as this initial decision will affect teacher will assign you to a Production Team of four to six tional figure. His work is an expression of his dedication all other steps of the production process! people for the conceiving, planning and production stages to a message of peace and respect for the Earth and its of the studio portion of the stop-motion animation lessons. communities. Back has created several outstanding ani- mated films that can inspire your students to tell their own meaningful stories. The web pages below explore how his All teams are expected to work in a respectful and col- passion for the environment led Back to make animated laborative fashion.

4 Each team member should participate endangered species ocean marine life life death . equally and share tasks. As each team member will bring endangered films in the hope of making this world a better place. their own unique expertise and talents to the group, ev- pregnancy species birth ocean teen pregnancy marine life life death marriage friendship (See themes pregnancy birth teen pregnancy marriage friendship 6 and 7). eryone's ideas and contributions to the project are to be family . family war war peace gravity . peace gravity electricity . electricity pulleys pulleys & levers & levers considered valuable. If you work together effectively, are committed to the project and use your group's diversity of tsunamis . tsunamis earthquakes earthquakes equilibrium microscopes . equilibrium microscopes bacteria . bacteria All animation productions (and many live-action produc- tions) begin life as a storyboard, which is a script of sorts skills, your team's final product will likely be much better nuclear nuclear energy.

5 Energy mutations . mutations sickness disease . sickness disease cures . cures AIDS AIDS written with images as well as words, similar to a giant than if you had completed the project on your own! magic legends . magic legends fantasy fables myths witches fairies fantasy fables myths witches fairies leprechauns metamorphosis ecosystems lightning comic strip. Storyboarding includes scene planning, which The Stop-Motion Animation Rubric see Annex 01 provides leprechauns metamorphosis ecosystems lightning . icebergs polar bears traditions whales hunting fishing requires you to plan out the scenes of your movie from start to finish before you begin animating. Your storyboards will guidelines for your team and identifies how each section of icebergs . trapping polar sports bears traditions . murmuring whales . sealing special hunting . occasions f ishing . the production process will be graded.

6 The high percent- incorporate the key poses in the story; in-betweens can age allocation for the teamwork component of this rubric trapping . peer pressure sports murmuring . discoveries sealing . famous events special outer occasions . space peer be incorporated later. Your group will need to figure out the acting and timing requirements for each scene. Please reflects the view that strong teamwork skills are deemed wonders discoveries . pressure of the world famousplanets events stars black outerholes space mountains wonders of essential to working successfully in the competitive real forests waterfalls music occupations poverty ensure that your group devises a distinct beginning, middle the world planets stars black holes mountains . and end to your story. Remember, the better you plan, the world of animated film production. better your animated video will be!

7 Forests waterfalls music occupations poverty . Group Learning Activity: Brainstorming a Topic world leaders heros role models famous people To learn about storyboarding at the NFB, watch the follow- ing video: Your first task as a team is to effectively brainstorm ideas to help in the selection of a good topic for your animated Storyboarding Your Idea video. Please identify relevant themes from the following (4 min 30 s). list of subjects. English Math Science Social Studies Health Arts (Art, Music, Theatre). Technology Media Literacy (for advanced curriculums . grades 7 and up). To view the storyboard examples found in the video, click on the NFB Mediatheque Storyboard Sheet and NFB Com- Some popular and relevant themes identified for your age I am brainstorming pleted Storyboard. group include: Bullying The Environment Substance Abuse Active Healthy Lifestyles Racism, Diversity & Body Image 2 2 3 Stop-Motion Animation Workshop Storyboarding and Storytelling Creating a Collaborative Storyboard Learning Activity: Creating Your Storyboard Once your team has come up with a potential topic for your animation, you will need to have your idea approved You may use a copy of the NFB Storyboard Sheet to by your teacher.

8 Once given the go-ahead, your group will help plan out your storyboard, use storybook templates need to begin storyboarding. found on the Internet or create your own storyboards from scratch. Keep your story and message simple and concise, as it takes 24 frames to make up one second of animation. Learning Activity: Cartoon Animation The process will likely take longer than you might think. Watch the following NFB video to learn how an artistic ani- Note: The average animated movie length will vary and de- mated film is made and to get an idea of the enormous time pend upon topic selection and length of class time. Your commitment involved in storyboarding. teacher will help each class group determine an appropri- ate run time. Sleeping Betty: Interview with Claude Cloutier (2007, 4 min 32 s) Use this Storyboard Rubric to ensure that your team in- ] cludes all information and components when designing and completing your storyboard.

9 Synopsis: Animator and director Claude Cloutier talks about his film, Sleeping Betty, and the process of ani- mation. (Recommended for grades 7 and up.). Questions you might want to consider include: What is your setting? Storyboard Websites To see examples of the intricacy of storyboards made by How many characters do you need in the shot? professional artists, please visit the following websites: Do you need any important props in the shot? Stephen McCallum's Animation/Media Production ]. What type of shot (close-up, wide shot, (Storyboard for the NFB's From Flores, 1991) establishing shot, etc.) do you need? Michael Sporn Animation, Inc. What is the shot's angle ( , how/where is the ]. camera positioned)? ]. (Storyboards from the Disney classics Sleeping Do you need any special lighting? The lighting Beauty and Cinderella) depends on what type of mood you're trying to convey (for example, you may need candlelight, The Necktie: Animated Storyboard (2008, 1 min 27 s) moonlight, a dark alley or a bright sunny day).

10 ]. Will you use any special effects? 4 4. 4. LESSON . Stop-Motion Animation Workshop Stop-Motion Animation Rubric ANNEX 01. Remember, all great stories start with a great idea. Great stories make great animation. Very Needs Mark Excellent Good good Improvement %. The idea for the story The idea for the story The idea for the story The idea for the story Idea for was excellent. story Message extremely was very good. Mes- was good. Message needs work. Message 15%. sage very clear. fairly clear. is unclear. clear. Extremely well More planning re- planned excellent Well planned very Fairly well planned . quired flow needs flow. good flow. good flow. Story- work. board Drawings extremely ef- Drawings very effective Drawings fairly effective Actions and emotions 15%. fective in conveying the in conveying actions in conveying actions of story not clearly con- actions and emotions and emotions of story.