Arts Award Unit 2 Event

The participants decided to give a series of workshops lasting the entire day to the after school animation club at Thomas Adams School. This event was designed as a more advanced workshop for the animation club. the participants were able to teach the club what techniques they had learn't and developed.
Each participant designed and managed their own animation station with their desired animation technique. For example Elliot had 3 computers with the 3D software Cinema 4D, he taught the group how to animate their own name in the software and how to operate lights and the 3D camera. Where as Caroline demonstrated how to create a hand-drawn animation using a lightbox, paper and pencil.

Each of the animation club children were in on station for an hour or so, they then rotated around to a new station.

The day ran perfectly (scarily) smooth and I was so proud of all the participants.

Post Production - Arts Award Surgery

Sam Moore and Spencer Whalen talked to the group about the ways to utilize the post production process. The participants were beginning to finish the final 15 second stings and were now ready to learn the process on how to export HD, what frame rates to use. How to use an editing software, basic titles and editing with music composition.

Sam also spoke about the what to do now the animations are nearly complete, where to showcase the work. She talked about film festivals and creating a showreel to include in a university or job portfolio.

Software Tips and Techniques

At this point in time all of the participants were animating their final piece. All had ample time with hands on experience in the technique that they had chosen. The workshop leaders went around everyone giving advice and tips on how to accomplish the participants aims. Equipment issues were ironed out and for the most part the participants were happy animating.

In the afternoon we worked on the arts award blogs for unit 1. Also discussed what we needed to do for unit 2 that was going to run on 1st Feb.

Film Music And Sound

George Beasley and Donna Cliftlands set the groups up with audio equipment and a black animation sample that they needed to create sound for. All groups really enjoyed recording sound effects and understanding the importance an timings of sound when editing to video.

Writing For Film Making

Danny stack delivered a fantastic workshop on how to write a script for TV. Danny is a freelance scriptwriter and has many credits under his belt including Eastenders and The Octonauts.
The participants really engaged with what Danny was saying, he made it relevant to an emerging scriptwriter and as some this is what they desire to be.

Soundtrack exercise

We will put you in groups of two or three and you will create a soundtrack for one of these extracts usng foley/spot effects together with some 'found' sound effects taken from Garageband or downloaded from online etc.

You have just one and a half hours to complete your soundtrack!

Animations used for soundtrack exercise

Bugs Bunny



Tom and Jerry




This Way Up



Donald Duck and Chip and Dale



William's Wish Wellingtons