Preproduction Booklet

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet
Pre-Production Booklet for Animation

Name:
Order of contents (italics show areas you must add in yourself)
Assessment criteria
LO2
Mind maps of ideas
Risk assessment
Format of your animation
Subject and storyline
Character notes and profiles
Movement of characters
Moodboard
Sets/backgrounds
Audio and soundtrack
Sound table
Props list
Audience
Storyboard and script (add script to booklet)
Frame rates
Lighting design
Production schedule
Crew details
Frame Numbers
Dope Sheets
LO3
How to use this booklet

You will need to complete every page of this booklet, and all sections / questions
required.
Assessment criteria for Distinction grade;
LO2
Plans will show a full consideration of movement and continuity, perspective, point of view,
transitions and special effects.
Precise and workable planning of timing and synchronisation to a soundtrack will be
produced. It will be clear at this stage, from the documentation, what the finished piece will
look and sound like.
Learners will follow industry conventions and terminology used in storyboard production
correctly.
Plans for the construction of models, sets and props will be realistic and clear.
Drawings, script and storyboard will all show a creative interpretation of the idea.
LO3:
The documentation linked to the production will be full and detailed and there will be
evidence that the production management and scheduling of the project has been effective
and carried out in a professional manner. The techniques used in the production of the work
are likely to be related to an understanding of current trends in the industry.
Both LO2 and LO3

In all practical activity learners will be capable of working autonomously and effectively. They
will work on their own initiative, will not need constant support or supervision, will give the
work their full commitment, work positively and cooperatively with others, and meet
deadlines. In other words, they will have the kind of self-management skills that would be
expected of them in a professional context. Note also that this criterion should not be taken
to mean that learners do not seek advice or that they work without discussing things with
their tutor, but rather that they are not dependent upon the support of others and that when
they take advice they weigh it carefully for themselves.
Planning
Brainstorm / mind map (add extra pages if necessary)
Music Video Animation Pumped Up Kicks (Foster The People)
Lyrics video person holding up lyrics on pieces of paper
Whiteboard lyrics and drawings photos stuck on
Attach a 400 word treatment of your idea
I want to do a stop motion animation for the song Pumped up Kicks by Foster the
People, using a whiteboard and black pen.
My idea is to use a white board to write out the lyrics and illustrations referring to
what the song is saying/about. I think it will appeal to my target audience (teens to
20s) as it is a well-known song that people will recognise, and it is a song directed at
my target age group. I will use aim to do 25 shots a second, and I will make sure that
my animation is exciting and gripping, so the viewer isnt bored watching it.

How will you meet the requirements of your brief?
I will make sure that I do not go over the negotiated time - 45 seconds by planning
my animation with precision and detail, with a story board describing exactly what is
happening and when.
Risk assessment: Are there any health and safety issues you may encounter?
As my animation is being done on a white board, there are not many risks or health
and safety issues. I will however be using lighting, which could heat up and
potentially burn someone, so I will take that into account and take the necessary
precautions when shooting.
Discuss any legal issues you may face. Eg; sound, plagiarism, age restrictions
I will have to contact the label that made the song to get their agreement to use their
song, to make sure I am not plagiarizing. I also am aware that the song refers to guns,
though not in an aggressive way, so I will have to take that into account when I decide
on an age rating/restriction.
Use of possible formats

Highlight which of the following formats your animation will take;
stop-frame techniques
time lapse photography
plasticine animation
Claymation
using found objects
modelling
puppetry
combined formats
Why are you using that particular format?

I have decided to do a slightly different animation technique illustrations and words drawn
on a whiteboard as I am doing a music video, and I want my video to be different that
others.
What are the different possibilities you could explore using this format?
The format I am using could be done in various different ways for example photos taken
seconds between and then put together to create a moving image, or drawings moving over
objects rather than just on one page.
What are the limitations of using this format? (i.e what problems/ obstacles might you
have?)
With this format, I am limited to doing only a 2d animation, rather than using 3d models or
objects.
What imaginative or inventive animations have you seen which use this format?
Add in links and screen shots of two examples of animations using this format.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_HXUhShhmY - Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOu0DuxFAT0 - In Your Arms by Kina Grannis
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIH4MJAC2Tg&feature=youtu.be)
Subject
What will the subject of your animation be?
The subject of my animation is a lyric video, so it doesnt have a story, as other animations
would, but instead will be words and images referring to the lyrics of the song.
Storyline
Describe the storyline of your animation. What events will happen to your characters?
The story of my animation is lyrics and illustrations, so the story fits in with the story of the
song. It will include moving lyrics and drawings, referring to the words of the song.
Characters
What characters will be in your animation?
As my animation is a lyric video, it will not have any specific characters, but instead will have
words and drawings acting as my characters.
Complete the character profiles for each character in your animation
Name:
M/F:
Age
Costume:
Occupation:
Hobbies:
Character
Background:
Name:
M/F:
Age
Costume:
Occupation:
Hobbies:
Character
Background:

What will they be made of?
They will be drawn on a whiteboard with a dry wipe pen in multiple colours
Movement of characters
How are you going to make your characters move?

I am going to make my words and drawings move by drawing small pieces at a time, giving
the illusion that they are appearing by themselves.
What is the purpose of an armature?

The purpose of an armature is to provide a skeleton for models, so that they can be moved
easily, and also for stability. They are needed because if your model were to be misshapen
between shots it could mess up the fluidity of the overall animation, and also add
unnecessary time onto your production schedule.
Will you use them for your characters?

No, I will not use them as my characters are 2d rather than 3d
If so, how will you make it?

n/a
Mood board
Create a mood board showing what look your animation will have. Add images showing
ideas of mise-en-scene, characters, costumes and colours that will be present in the
different shots.
Sets / backgrounds
Will your set be;
A three wall set
A blue/green screen
An existing location
A Combination of two or more of the above
Draw sketches of how your sets/backgrounds will look. Add in labels to your diagrams and
details of locations / lighting etc.
My set background will be a whiteboard hung on a wall. My background will not change, as
the movement is happening on the whiteboard rather than physically moving frame between
shots.
Add in photographs of your sets/backgrounds.
Audio and Soundtrack

What audio will you have for your animation?
Complete the sound list, detailing what sounds you will use, where you will source them,
what equipment you will need to record them and when you will use them in your animation.
You will need to design your own soundtrack. You cannot use copyrighted music, and it
must be more than simply adding a track.
What actions will need sound effects?
Think of the scenes in your animation. Each scene should have different sounds/music to
give information about the mood / emotions of the characters.
Sound Table
Production Name: Music Video Animation
Producer: Amy Lidstone
Shot
Action
Description
of Sound
All
Stop-motion
Music track
drawings/words
Diegetic/non/diegetic
Atmosphere
created
Musice
type and
atmosphere
Non diegetic
Calm and
relaxed
Props List
What props / models / furniture etc will you need to make your animation?
PROPS LIST
Production Name: Music Video Animation
Producer: Amy Lidstone
Item
Script page
Description
Character/location
Whiteboard
All
A small
whiteboard
Background
throughout
production
Notes
Script
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks,

You better run, better run, outrun my gun.
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet.
You better run, better run, outrun my gun.
You better run, better run, faster than my bullet.
Audience
Define the following characteristics of your audience;
Gender
Male and female
Age
Teens +
Interests
Indie/pop music
What forms of animation might they already watch?

They may watch stop motion animation using movement of pictures, as well as Claymation.
What images do you think they enjoy watching?

They probably enjoy watching stories played out, or live performances, as that is the most
popular style for music videos.
What might they consider distasteful or offensive?

They could find swearing
How will you ensure that your animation will suit your chosen audience?
I have done research into different songs from my music genre, and made a decision based
on what I saw. I looked at a selection of music videos, which were all different styles, before I
made my decision. As the music genre is non-mainstream, I decided to make my production
in correlation with that, so it will be different to what people will have seen before, and
therefore memorable.
How will they physically watch your animation? (i.e in an exhibition format, on screen,
projection, online?)
They will watch it on a screen, most likely on YouTube, as that is where I will be uploading it,
and also because YouTube is the biggest website that people use to upload and watch
videos/music videos.
Storyboard
Who?
Complete a storyboard for your animation.
Where?
Which
characters/
objects are in
the scene?
What is the
location for the
shot?
Say What?
Lighting
Is there any
dialogue/text?
Natural
Ambient
Torchlight
Spotlight
Direction of
light?
And
then.?
What happens?
Describe the
action.
Camera?
Time?
What is the
camera angle?
Duration of the
shot / number
of frames
action is held
for.
Is there any
movement from
the camera?
Frame Rates
What is the duration of your animation in minutes? (minimum 30 seconds)
40 seconds
In seconds?
40
How many frames per second for video?

20
There are 60 seconds in a minute. How many frames (ie. Individual photos) will you
need to take?

800
Lighting Design
Where will you be photographing your animation?

Against a wall in my house
Does it have natural daylight?

Yes, but I will be adding using lighting as well.
If so, you will need to block this out. Explain why.

I will not have to block it out, but I will be using lighting so that the natural light does not fade
throughout the production and therefore affect the overall flow and consistency of the
animation.
Do you have a constant light source(s) such as a lamp?

Yes
Where will you place your light source(s) to create interesting effects?
I will have to place the light above the whiteboard, rather than pointing it directly at my set,
so as I dont get a gleam/reflection

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Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet