Deadlines are Deadlines

So the submission deadline has passed when Tom needed to submit his finished pieces.

The Exam board moderators will attend school on June 11th to mark his work.

I've been in touch with Hannah and Kathryn who have e-mailed me an invitation to attend the days following to view the years submission.

On request I have a written reference that I will print for my final submission.

I think thats a wrap.

Different Techniques

As the exam board criteria asks for research into different techniques we encouraged Tom to look at the methods other artists practice in animation. Here is the result.

From here we could explore these techniques further and undertook a series of practical tests using my knowledge to the classroom. The limitations of the school classroom would require a whole blog post but lets just say we made the most of the space and equipment we had. 

BigRed Studio / Paint

During the initial discussions with Miss Turner we were both aware of the work of BIGred Studio.

BIGred Studio has delivered inspirational animation solutions to a range of clients, briefs, community groups and arts organisations including schools and so made a good example of artists Tom could research. Here is the research Tom compiled. 

I'm sure with Karen being an Alumni of Staffordshire University stood me in good stead when contacting the school who were aware of the work BigRed do with their workshops for school children. Always nice to find common ground and to share with new students. 

This inspired Tom to create this painted piece .. 

2D Hand-drawn - Lightbox

While we didn't have a lighbox as we find at University one classroom did have a 'lightbox' of sorts.

This developed the 'storyboard' idea as the tennis ball opens up into a running track.

This was the first time we could develop an animation technique and create a test for Toms storyboard vision. Below is the first video clip we created using basic istopmotion and a web camera.

DBS - Its Official

So I've received notification I have 'clearance'. It feels more 'official' now.

Failure to have this certificate is obviously a big constraint when considering working in schools. If I am to set-up animation workshops as self employed then this is a vital stage to consider in future. 

Cut Out Tests - Silhouette - Reiniger

Introducing Tom to the work of Lotte Reiniger (1899-1981) and her Silhoutte Animation gave him the encouragement to try this technique. We used acetate sheets to layer the flame effect on top of the background while looking at running cycles to attempt for some 'realism' into the sequence.  I took a lot from this test as it brings home how the simplicity was also very effective.

The Write Up

Rudimental split pins to create the limbs proved to be effective. 

Zoetrope

Tom was aware of a Zoetrope as a fellow student created one mounted on a bicycle wheel that was a permanent fixture in class. So it was we set about making our own version. Though a more primitive example made purely from card and a pencil. Very Sheila Graber!
http://www.graber-miller.com/aboutus.html

Using the first of the storyboard ideas with the olympic flags leaving the frame Tom set about drawing & colouring the 18 odd pictures to complete the cycle. Here are a few production pictures to show how it came to be..

The Write Up

Almost there

A single frame



As the criteria states 'moving image' then the zoetrope ticks the marking scheme boxes and even a rudimentary version like ours was good enough to show how the technique in action. 



This was an opportunity to discuss some basic animation theory into the classroom practicals. Hence I brought in some printed works with reference to Ding Huan and some early Zoetrope examples. 

Questions and Answers

Hannah wanted Tom to draw on my knowledge and experience gained during my student years so posed some questions for Tom to put to me in class. Another entry for Toms logbook as seen below.

It seems I am an animation artist! ;-) 

Q&A