Video and Sound Production | Task 3: Final Project (Stop Motion)
10/7/24 - 24/7/24 | Week 12 - 14
Iman Mikudim | 0338004 | Section 1
Video and Sound Production | Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 3: Final Project (Stop Motion)
SECTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS
We are required to produce a
stop motion video by a given
theme. Voice over, sound
effects and music can be used,
to tell a compelling story.
Confine to no more than 2
characters/ locations and only
1 event in less than 15
shots.
Stop-Motion Shorts
In week 1, we were instructed
to watch stop-motion shorts
and analyse the style, art
direction, character design
etc of 3 shortlisted ones.
Fig 1.1 "Brunch" directed by
Marnik Loysen
I like this film because it
cleverly satirizes
millennial culture and the
generational divide. It
humorously portrays the
absurdity of trendy coffee
shop choices and social
media-driven lifestyles,
while also highlighting the
tensions between different
age groups. The film's
animation technique allows
for quick caricatures of
objects and characters,
emphasizing contrasting
viewpoints and escalating
conflicts. What I appreciate
most is how "Brunch" doesn't
shy away from criticizing
millennials themselves,
prompting viewers to reflect
on their own assumptions and
biases. By ridiculing both
millennials and older
generations, the film
encourages dialogue and
understanding in a divisive
discourse. Overall, "Brunch"
is a thought-provoking
exploration of generational
dynamics, infused with
humour and insight.
Fig 1.2 "Love Me, Fear Me" directed
by Veronica Solomon
This film explores themes
of self-worth and
validation in the age of
social media. The film
follows a nameless,
shape-shifting character
desperate for approval
from an unseen audience.
Through minimalist art
direction and abstract
character design, Solomon
conveys the character's
emotional journey with
fluid animation techniques
and dynamic
transformations. The
film's use of contemporary
dance and martial arts,
combined with a
captivating soundtrack,
creates a visually
immersive experience that
resonates deeply with
viewers. Overall, "Love
Me, Fear Me" is a visually
stunning and thematically
rich exploration of human
desires and
vulnerabilities in the
digital age.
Fig 1.3
"Fish Boy" directed by
Anita Bruvere
This short film delves
into the theme of guilt
through a surreal
narrative. The film
employs hand-crafted
puppets and paint on glass
animation to create a
visually striking and
emotionally resonant
story. The narrative
follows a man with a fish
head as he battles his
inner demons, ultimately
affecting his relationship
with his partner. Bruvere
and screenwriter Bethe
Townsend explore themes of
loss and guilt, presenting
them metaphorically
through the couple's
conversation. The film's
tactile approach,
utilizing both puppet stop
motion and paint on glass
techniques, adds depth to
the storytelling and
enhances its emotional
impact. Despite its
specific narrative,
"Fishboy" offers a
universal experience,
allowing viewers to relate
to its themes in their own
way. The film's success
led Bruvere to further
projects, including the
animated short "Home," and
established her as a
talented animator and
director in the
industry.
Process
-
Preferred medium (You
can change your mind
later): Lego
-
Solo or Pair (You can
change your mind later): Individual
Stop Motion Trial Shooting:
Before we began filming for our final, we had the opportunity to do a trial shoot to get a sense of what to do and familiarize ourselves with the process. We were instructed to film two videos, one with a phone and one with a camera.
Fig 1.4 Stop Motion Trial #1 (Phone)
Fig 1.5 Stop Motion Trial #2 (Camera)
Fig 1.6
Searching for Lego
Pieces
I started out by digging for lego pieces I had kept from my childhood and intended to use several of them.
Fig 1.7
Setting up Scene
I then set up the scene roughly as I wanted it, changing only the movement of the bench.
Fig 1.8
Taping the BoardOnce I was satisfied with the placement, I taped down the sides of the Lego board to reduce movement as much as possible.
Fig 1.9
Building a Mini Car
I didn't have a car toy, so I spent about an hour just finding parts to make a simple mini-one.
Fig 1.10 Stop Motion Studio
I filmed the scenes with stop motion video because I had used it during the trial shoot and was familiar with it, and I liked how easy and efficient it is to use. In total, I had used approximately 200 frames (with some being duplicated to prolong some moments).
Fig 1.11 The Aftermath
Fig 1.12 Original (Unedited)
Video
Fig 1.13 Adobe Audition ProcessFor the dialogue audios, I used the techniques I learned during our sound shaping exercise to deepen my voice and make it sound more like a man. Regarding the background/environmental noises, I got all sound effects from PixaBay, which was a free and convenient site to use.
Fig 1.14 Adobe Premier Pro
ProcessI then compiled all of the sound effects and colour graded the video to make it appear less dull and more cinematic.
Fig 1.15 Final Edited Stop Motion
Video
Fig 1.1 "Brunch" directed by Marnik Loysen
This film explores themes
of self-worth and
validation in the age of
social media. The film
follows a nameless,
shape-shifting character
desperate for approval
from an unseen audience.
Through minimalist art
direction and abstract
character design, Solomon
conveys the character's
emotional journey with
fluid animation techniques
and dynamic
transformations. The
film's use of contemporary
dance and martial arts,
combined with a
captivating soundtrack,
creates a visually
immersive experience that
resonates deeply with
viewers. Overall, "Love
Me, Fear Me" is a visually
stunning and thematically
rich exploration of human
desires and
vulnerabilities in the
digital age.
This short film delves into the theme of guilt through a surreal narrative. The film employs hand-crafted puppets and paint on glass animation to create a visually striking and emotionally resonant story. The narrative follows a man with a fish head as he battles his inner demons, ultimately affecting his relationship with his partner. Bruvere and screenwriter Bethe Townsend explore themes of loss and guilt, presenting them metaphorically through the couple's conversation. The film's tactile approach, utilizing both puppet stop motion and paint on glass techniques, adds depth to the storytelling and enhances its emotional impact. Despite its specific narrative, "Fishboy" offers a universal experience, allowing viewers to relate to its themes in their own way. The film's success led Bruvere to further projects, including the animated short "Home," and established her as a talented animator and director in the industry.
Process
- Preferred medium (You can change your mind later): Lego
-
Solo or Pair (You can
change your mind later): Individual
Before we began filming for our final, we had the opportunity to do a trial shoot to get a sense of what to do and familiarize ourselves with the process. We were instructed to film two videos, one with a phone and one with a camera.
I started out by digging for lego pieces I had kept from my childhood and intended to use several of them.
I then set up the scene roughly as I wanted it, changing only the movement of the bench.
Once I was satisfied with the placement, I taped down the sides of the Lego board to reduce movement as much as possible.
I filmed the scenes with stop motion video because I had used it during the trial shoot and was familiar with it, and I liked how easy and efficient it is to use. In total, I had used approximately 200 frames (with some being duplicated to prolong some moments).
For the dialogue audios, I used the techniques I learned during our sound shaping exercise to deepen my voice and make it sound more like a man. Regarding the background/environmental noises, I got all sound effects from PixaBay, which was a free and convenient site to use.
I then compiled all of the sound effects and colour graded the video to make it appear less dull and more cinematic.
REFLECTIONS
Shooting a stop-motion project was fascinating and worthwhile. The process, involving taking single frames and moving objects incrementally, required patience and precision. Staging each scene was complex, as characters or objects had to be placed precisely, and movements needed to appear natural. Every tiny movement mattered, affecting the sequence.
What I enjoyed most was seeing my work come alive frame by frame. The ability to work in stages allowed for corrections and changes, making it both interesting and challenging. Proper planning and preparation were crucial for smooth transitions and achieving the intended impact. Overall, it was a memorable project that showcased the creativity and effort involved in making stop-motion animation.
