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Digital cameras are great for doing simple animations, using a technique
called "still frame animation". The basic technique is very simple:
- Hold the camera in a fixed position (on a tripod)
- Use models of some sort to set up a scene in front of the camera.
- Take a picture of the scene.
- Move your "actors" a very small amount.
- Take another picture
- Repeat (10 pictures for each second of animation is a good basic rate
to start with)
You can then use basic movie/video software (like Windows Movie Maker or
ArchSoft VideoImpression) to assemble the still pictures into a video, add
titles, a soundtrack, etc.
Making animations is great fun, especially for children. You can read a
detailed article on the technique on Chris Breeze's web site
here. After I
showed my 11 year old daughter Deanna "The
Crazy Tea Party " (246k .wmv video), a video made
by Chris' 9 year-old daughter Katharine, Deanna was really keen to give it a
try.
The Riding Stable
This video was made using PlayMobil, and is a scene at a riding stable.
Its made up of about 250 still pictures. The 640x480 video is 53 seconds
long (including titles, etc). For fun, we added a string duet audio track of
Deanna on Cello, and her sister on Violin, which was recorded about a year
ago.
The Family
This video was made using a large Victorian doll house I made years ago
as a Christmas present for Deanna's oldest sister. It consists of 4 scenes,
and includes parents, children, a baby, the family dog, and a mouse! Its
made up of over 400 still pictures, is 640x480 resolution and is 64 seconds
long (including titles, etc).
Techniques and Links
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