Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Pre-Production Booklet for Animation

Name: Jack Stillman
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

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 synchronisation 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

Treatment
My main idea is based around one man walking down a busy street. This 40 second
music video will include the character coming across a variety of obstacles that you can
cross paths with on a daily basis. I would like the idea to start off with the man originally
walking into shot slowly. From the beginning the character will have sad body language
given the impression of him being depressed, but as the advert goes on his mood will
improve. Through the 40 seconds, a variety of obstacles will cause the character to take
action and avoid them. I will use the green screen in the background as the busy street.
The target audience for my music video would be anyone who is a fan of The Kooks. The
age I would associate with The Kooks ranges from 15-24. This would be a typical age as
the older generation, around 24, would have grown up with The Kooks music and could
have possible influence those of the younger generation who are now fans. I feel the best
way to target my audience through my stop motion would be to create a theme which
relates to the band. This would be through the song, the outfit in which the main
character is wearing, and also what is going on in the background. I feel that making it
easily relatable for the audience, would increase its popularity and overall end product.
I think I would be good at creating this idea because I believe that I have the correct
knowledge in order to make this stop motion music video. Combined with my stopmotion skills and knowledge of The Kooks and who their target audience is, I feel that I
would be able to make a production in which would be a professional standard and fit
exactly to what the brief has asked for.

How will you meet the requirements of your brief?

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

My brief wasnt very specific in the fact that it didnt have many requirements. The main thing
that asked for was to be in the style of stop animation and 30 seconds long, which was later
negotiated to 40 seconds. I believe I will meet the requirements by using a stop-animation
technique, using people, which will include a moving image background and a variety of
images showing them move over obstacles in order to create the impression that they are
moving. My brief also gives me the choice to use any style and song, so this is easy to do.

Risk assessment: Are there any health and safety issues you may encounter?
One safety issue I may encounter would be all the electrical equipment and wires when
using the studio. I will be using the lights in the studio to get a clear shot of what I am taking
pictures of. Because of this, I need to be aware of all the leads and wires that will be
attached to the lights, and I need to make sure that they are tucked away or secured to the
floor to reduce the chance of tripping.
The height of the studio could be an issue as there are many lights which are hanging from
the ceiling. This could be a problem as anyone of a certain height may find that they are in
danger of hitting the lights.

Discuss any legal issues you may face. Eg; sound, plagiarism, age restrictions
After creating my short music video, I need to clarify which sounds are or are not mine. For
example, the song I use will not be mine, so this needs to be mentioned. Due to the target
audience of the song I have chosen, I need to make my stop-motion applicable to those of
the ages 15-24. By doing this I need to make sure, it includes nothing too graphic that may
cause offence to anyone who may watch it.
DISCUSS THE BELOW
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ownership-of-copyright-works

Another thing that I should take into consideration is plagiarism as copying a piece of work
directly can cause problems. To ensure that I avoid this I will need to look at other stopmotion animations in order to find that my idea does not copy anything that has already been
created.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

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

Why are you using that particular format?

I think these formats will work best for me as they suit my idea of using a man as the main
format. Using a time lapse as my background will also give the impression that the world is
moving fast around him whilst he is walking slow and climbing over obstacles.

What are the different possibilities you could explore using this format?
Using a variety of formats and especially as I am using a person as the main format, it will be
easy to move and create a variety of movements in which other formats may not. This format
gives me the opportunity to be more creative and use ideas that others arent compatible
with, such as realistic walking which goes well with my idea of dodging obstacles.

What are the limitations of using this format? (i.e. what problems/ obstacles might you
have?)
One of the main limitations that my idea has is that my model wont be as flexible as a clay
model for example, so I am limited in the range of movement I can feature in my production.
This could be a problem, however in my production there are no big movements which will
require my actor to do, therefore this shouldnt be a problem.

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbK9wv30KM4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07hWRrE8_KA

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Subject
What will the subject of your animation be?
Music video and someone walking down the street

Storyline
Describe the storyline of your animation. What events will happen to your characters?
The animation is based upon one man walking past a busy cityscape whilst trying to avoid
obstacles. These obstacles will include flying items such as shoes and umbrellas. I have
chosen for these events to happen to demonstrate what it is that my character is going
through, for example the emotions he may be experiencing.

Characters
What characters will be in your animation?

In my animation I will only have one character who will be a business man.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Complete the character profiles for each character in your animation

Name:
M/F:
Age
Costume:

Patrick Berry
Male
28
Suit

Occupation:

Business man

Hobbies:

Playing football and the gym

Character
Background:

He has a very sad life as his job has been very stressful recently.
Born and raised in west Philadelphia.

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

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

What will they be made of?

Nothing, I will use a human model and a green screen

Movement of characters
How are you going to make your characters move?
The movement of the character will be a normal walking motion. So the actor will do it
himself

What is the purpose of an armature?

The armature is used to help the movement and posture of a clay character. The armature is
usually made of a dark aluminum wire which is stiff, but can easily be bent and twisted into
any shape. The model is usually attached to a base made of wood.

Will you use them for your characters?

No.

If so, how will you make it?

For my animation I will be using a human model as for my production it will give a more
realistic effect and be easy to move around

Mood board

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Create a mood board showing what look your animation will have. Add images showing
ideas of mise-en-scene, characters, costumes and colours 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.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Add in photographs of your sets/backgrounds.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Sound Table
Production Name:
Producer: Jack Stillman

Shot

Action

Description
of Sound

Diegetic/non/diegetic

The song
Around Town
The Kooks

Diegetic

Atmosphere
created

Musice type
and
atmosphere

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

Item

Script page

Description

Character/location

Notes

Suit

Average black
suit

Patrick Berry

Constantly
holding it

Briefcase

Black briefcase

Patrick Berry

Umbrella

Audience
Define the following characteristics of your audience;

Flies across the

screen

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Gender
Male and female

Age
15-24

Interests
Their interests will vary. For example outside of school or college people of this audience will
have certain fashion and interests. They may also like other bands which are similar,
meaning they may go to gigs or concerts on a regular basis.

What forms of animation might they already watch?

Films such as chicken run and Wallace and Gromit. These are popular films made my
Aardman.
Add pictures

What images do you think they enjoy watching?

They may enjoy watching music videos of The Kooks or other bands.add pictures

What might they consider distasteful or offensive?

They might not enjoy a dark or horror style theme. Or any stereotypes that present the
wrong idea about people.

How will you ensure that your animation will suit your chosen audience?
I will try to make it relatable and also entertaining. Ive tried to recreate the narrative of the
song so that those who really like the song and relate to the song, are able to relate to the
animation. The lapse in the background is also something I hope people will like and relate
to, as itll give the impression of Patrick walking down a busy high street filled with students,
shoppers and business people.

How will they physically watch your animation? (i.e in an exhibition format, on screen,
projection, online?)
Online, e.g YouTube.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Storyboard
Complete a storyboard for your animation.

Camera?
And
then.?

What is the
camera angle?

What happens?
Describe the
action.

Is there any
movement from
the camera?

Time?
Duration of the
shot / number
of frames
action is held
for.

Who?
Which
characters/
objects are in
the scene?

Say What?
Is there any
dialogue/text?

Where?

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 will need to convey all movements and actions. Copy and
paste the storyboard to make it as long as you need to show all
the detail of your animation.

Shots
Extreme long shot
Long Shot
Medium Shot

What is the
location for the
shot?

Lighting

Natural
Camera Angles
Ambient

Birds-eye view

Torchlight

Spotlight
High angle
Direction of

Eye-levellight?

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

You will need to add pages to this section for your full storyboard

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Frame Rates
What is the duration of your animation in minutes? (minimum 30 seconds)
40 seconds

How many frames per second for video?

30 frames per second

There are 60 seconds in a minute. How many frames (ie. Individual photos) will you
need to take?
1200

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Lighting Design

Where will you be photographing your animation?

In the studio and in reading high street

Does it have natural daylight?

Yeah

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

It will constantly change in each photograph

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

Yes, I will have lights in the studio

Where will you place your light source(s) to create interesting effects?
Either side of the camera so Patrick is constantly lit up

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

(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 a animator organise 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;

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

Path of action

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Dialogue /
Camera
Animation
Soundtrack cue
instructions

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

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
0_22
0_23
0_24
0_25
0_26
0_27
0_28
0_29
0_30
Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

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

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack

Animation

Camera

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

cue
instructions
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
2_21
2_22
2_23
2_24
2_25
2_26
2_27
2_28
2_29
2_30

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

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)