“Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive” (Walt Disney).
This week we were learning through animation and were given the opportunity to create an animation of our very own. Animation is created using an optical illusion whereby a series of images are played quickly enough to create a flowing, moving image.
I discovered these interesting videos that discuss the history of animation, the various types of animation and also explain how each type is created.
Throughout the workshop, we were able to engage with several forms of animation including “stop motion”. A student from the class drew a line in some sand which was placed on a light box, after which a photo was taken. This process was then repeated many times, and eventually rapidly viewing the photos in sequence creates a moving picture.
Following this my group then decided to try our hand at “stop motion” animation, and more specifically we had a shot at making “claymation”.
We decided to base our animation around a little snowman who gradually melts throughout the day. We created the snowman with clay and took a sequence of photos, within each, we moved the snowman ever so slightly in an effort to create a fluid moving picture. I thoroughly enjoyed making the animations as it was something I had never previously attempted and would never have thought to introduce in the classroom.
“Children experience moving images from earliest childhood. Cartoons, films, adverts, and all moving image media are very carefully constructed to tell stories and provoke feelings. They are a huge part of our culture, and children learn intuitively to read this information” (Moving Image Education, 2017).
There are simple toys that create animation that do not involve the use of a camera these include:
- The Zoetrope
- The Praxinoscope
- The Thaumatrope
- Phenakistoscope
Inspired by these early 20th century toys it is possible to create animation devices out of ordinary, easy to come by resources, such as spare card, empty tins and so on…
However, the digital revolution now means that there is now the resources, and technology to bring animation into the classroom using cameras. Just as books allow the opportunities to share the knowledge and creativity of others, so does animation, and it is therefore a valuable and fundamental experience for learners.
References
Moving Image Education. (2017) Available: https://movingimageeducation.org/ [Accessed: 10 April 2017].
