What people like about stop-motion animation is that it's real. It's like a magic trick, taking real things, real sets, and making them come to life with movement.

Stop Motion Animation, explained

For the uninitiated, stop motion animation is a filmmaking technique that makes inanimate physical objects appear to move on their own.

Think Gumby or Wallace and Gromit. Or my personal faves Shaun the Sheep and Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox. If you haven’t enjoyed them yet, I do recommend you seek them out with your kiddo for some inspiration.

To make stop motion work, you place an object in front of a camera and snap a photo. You then move or manipulate the object a teensy-tinsy bit and snap another photo. Then move, stop, snap again. And again. Repeat this process twenty to twenty thousand times, play back the sequence in rapid progression, and the object appears to move fluidly across the screen. Add sound and voila — pure movie magic!

Materials

We will play with an assortment of materials such as paper, organic materials, tin foil, fabric, foliage, Lego, Barbies, movable mannequins, play dough, etc. The possibilities are limitless! These materials will be provided as well as options for students to bring in their own materials if desired.

Ages

All kids are so different. Some can focus and patiently move their character while others want to race through the stops so they can get to the soundtrack. Some prefer to work in a “crew” and some prefer to work solo. My goal as creative director of this class will be to place each student (to the best of my ability) in the role that best supports their success.

The beauty of these creative exercises is that, like any exercise, it is simple to apply modifications according to individual abilities and age.

That being said, this Stop Motion Studio Club is geared for aspiring filmmakers aged 8-13 years.

Club Plan

• First, I’ll show the class how to set up with an iPad or iPhone, a tripod and the Stop Motion Studio App.

• Then with screenings, demonstrations, step-by-step instructions and creative direction, we will cover the basics of stop motion animation in a supportive and playful environment.

• Each class we will discover the foundational rules of stop motion and explore simple techniques, starting with short sequences then working up towards short films to share with friends and family

• After each class, I will also send students home on a scavenger hunt to find and bring in various materials for next class. If you do not have these materials on hand, students can always use the materials provided. The point is so your moviemaker can continue to practice at home.

• Some students may wish to design portable backgrounds so they can resume their filming from anywhere (home, backyard, grandparents, school, on vacation).

• No project would be complete without an opening title and closing credits. We’ll go over that too to wrap up!

• Any students wishing and open to sharing their work, we will host a mini Movie Premier in March for parents to enjoy all the kids hard work.

Benefits of Stop Motion Animation

• It’s a simple, hands-on technology that young children can achieve

• Escape from passive screen time to active, tactile creation with the help of technology

• Learn the language of film

• Explore the art of composition, colour, lighting and sound

• Offers children ownership and autonomy in the film making process

• Debunks the mechanics of how movie-making happens

• The creative constraint of the medium encourages problem solving

• Encourages children to project and plan out where a story is heading

• Fosters iteration and experimentation through trying and testing

• A creative process that builds patience with a gratifying reward

• An opportunity to enjoy the flow of hyper focus

• Supports storytelling, collaboration and self expression

And Now for the Nitty Gritty Tech Stuff…

What app will I need on my device?

Since this a class learning how to use the Stop Motion Studio app, you will need to download this app to your device. I chose Stop Motion Studio to learn for this class because — in my opinion — it makes stop motion even easier since it is a simple, “all-in-one” editing program that uses your device’s built-in camera.

Stop Motion Studio is available for free at the App Store or Google Play.

There is also a paid version with a few more bells and whistles (Stop Motion Studio Pro) available for $5.99 if you so wish — but is not required. For exercises requiring this version, the students without the Pro version will join the crew using the devices I provide or buddy up with a friend who has this version.

And yes, there is Stop Motion Studio Pro 2 for Macs and DSLR cameras…but let’s take this one step at a time! We can demonstrate this later in the club…

For more info, please visit StopMotionStudio.com.

What equipment will my filmmaker-in-training need?

Since the goal of these classes is to support independent filmmaking that goes beyond this studio, students are naturally going to learn much more quickly if they have equipment that they can also play at home with.

Each filmmaker will need:

1. iPhone or iPad* and charging cord (required) with Stop Motion Studio downloaded

2. Phone tripod (optional) with bluetooth remote (also optional but so helpful for stop motion success)**

3. Device compatible headphones or earbuds (a bonus but again, totally optional)

* Technically, Stop Motion Studio is available for iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows as well as Chromebook and Amazon Fire HD devices. Since each device is different, I can offer tech support for Apple products only during class time.

I am happy to test your equipment to the best of my ability beforehand on an orientation day to ensure your child’s technological success!

** I will also offer tripods with bluetooth remotes to buy for around $20 (depending on what is available) for those who would like one

The Backstory of Stop Motion Club

Back when my eldest was around 9 years old, I hosted Stop Motion Club at our home with his buddies. Over the pandemic, I thought a lot about how I could collaborate with my children and extend what we learned to other makers.

This is the first time I will be offering these sessions for the community and I am thrilled to announce that a couple of our “OS (Old School) Members” will be serving as my “Assistant Directors” (including my son). I am delighted that Jenny Hughes at Oceanside Art Studio was equally excited when I proposed the idea to her and was open to share her studio space for our club!

I am looking forward to sharing our love of movie magic with others and to be both surprised and inspired by everyone’s unique visions.

Yours truly,

Johanna & a couple Old School SMS members

Q & A

And how long will this program be available?

This pilot program is currently offered for the months of January, February and March, 2023 (up till Spring Break). We figured we would start the year dedicated to the young makers in our community because, well, the future needs creative makers! While we would love to continue throughout the year with classes and workshops, the availability of the program will be based both upon demand and our own moviemaking schedule. Be sure to schedule your child’s classes and take advantage of this pilot project while it is offered!

How do I register?

Registrations are now open for 2023 here on this website.

Do you offer Gift Certificates?

Why yes, so glad you asked! Gift certificates make great “experience” gifts and can be purchased in $25 denominations on my website, www.pancakeproductions.ca (launching mid-December).

Do I need to register for all three months?

Nope! Classes will be offered on a monthly basis. For example, you can book just one month. Or two. Or all three. Each week will be different so the lessons will not be repeated each month. I’ve even added space for a few Drop-In’s in each class so anyone can try it out before committing to a whole month.

Please note, registration is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.

Can my child join both Monday and Wednesday classes?

Certainly! Taking both Monday and Wednesday classes is an option for students who are keen to get in more creative direction time. Each week we will have a new focus of materials and basic skills that can be built upon as your moviemaker expands their creative and technical horizons. By joining us twice a week, this new skill or trick could be started on Monday and developed further with more direction on Wednesday.

Will you offer day-camps or Pro-D Day camps in the future?

Maaaaybe…if enough people ask I may.

What if I don’t own an iPhone or iPad?

Good question! If you don’t own an iPad or iPhone, consider borrowing one from a friend or family for the one-hour class (or so your kid can practice what they’ve learned at home!)

If borrowing is not possible, a limited number of devices will be setup to collaborate on as a crew with other students. Some students may prefer to pair up anyways!

In short, if you don’t have equipment, you can still join our crews and learn the art of collaboration.

What version of device and space do I need?

Another good question!

Compatibility:

Stop Motion Studio (free)

Size: 174.3 MB

iPhone Requires iOS 12.0 or later.

iPad Requires iPadOS 12.0 or later.

iPod touch Requires iOS 12.0 or later.

Stop Motion Studio Pro ($5.99 version)

Size: 174 MB

Compatibility

iPhone Requires iOS 12.0 or later.

iPad Requires iPadOS 12.0 or later.

iPod touch Requires iOS 12.0 or later.

What if we don’t have access to a phone tripod or earphones/ear-buds?

Phone tripods and earphones are helpful but not required! If borrowing one is not possible, a limited number of tripods will be available to purchase for $20. Or, again, you can use the ones set up for our crews.

For students without tripods and do not wish to purchase one, we will teach them how to build their own make-shift stabilizers.

What if my tripod does not have a Bluetooth remote?

A Bluetooth remote is just a luxurious bonus, really. Using an external camera shutter remote control means you don’t have to touch the device, which might cause the device to move. Keeping the camera still is rule number one for stop motion success! In truth, having a remote will make the process so much faster and and the animation itself much smoother.

Another option to release your devices camera remotely is to use your headphones that came with your device. Just tap the volume control button on your headphones to take an image. Nifty, right? Just make sure the device is not set to mute (the volume control doesn’t work if the device is muted…

Okay, if you made it this far reading, you have the interest, patience (and attention to detail) that you likely have passed on to your future movie maker child. And if so, they should totally join us or at least give it a try!