Computer+Graphics


 * //__Claymation __//**

 **Hey, it's Gumby!**

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Gumby was an innovative "claymation" adventure introduced in the 1950s. Gumby is a green clay figure who was the subject of a television series which spanned over a 35-year period. He was animated using stop motion clay animation. This video clip shows a homemade version of Gumby using the process you will use in class. You do not need to make Gumby. You can create any 'claymation' figure you want. You will make a 10 - 15 second claymation movie clip. ..


 * //__ Basic Directions: __//**
 * First:** Gather your materials- everything you need to create your figure(s). I will have modeling clay, pipe cleaners, aluminum foil and wiggly eyes. If you want other items for your figure(s), bring them to class. You will not actually create your figure(s) until you are ready to start shooting, otherwise the figure(s) will dry out.


 * Second:** Plan your Claymation. Think of each major scene of your movie. To create storyboard, fold a piece of paper three times. Unfold the paper. On each section, write the title for a scene. (You may need more than one sheet of paper) Draw a picture that represents what will be seen in the movie. Stick figures will be fine. Write out eactly what will be said in your narration, if necessary.


 * Third:** Create your background and props.


 * Fourth:** Create your character(s). Cover your work area with wax paper. Use pipe cleaners and bend into the shape you want. Use more than one pipe cleaner if necessry. Wrap aluminum foil around the pipe cleaners, continuing until the figure starts to develop some thickness. It has to be strong enough to withstand the weight of the clay. Make sure arms and legs are still flexible enough to bend.

Start wrapping clay around the figure. Use a plastic fork, spoon and knife to add detail to the figure. (Make the hair look more realistic). Use wiggle eyes and add a mouth out of clay or pipe cleaner.


 * Fifth:** Set up everything and have a dry run-through. This is where you will practice doing the animation without taking pictures. You will discover any problems or if you need to go back to fix something.


 * Sixth:** Focus the camera so that your scene fills the entire frame. Keep the camera still while shooting. Each frame should be shot from exactly the same angle for a realistic affect.


 * Seventh:** Take a picture. Move the figure(s) that you want to animate in very increments. Take another picture Remember, very small incremental movements with your figure(s) will make your movie more realistic. Repeat this process.


 * Eighth:** Open PowerPoint. Start a new presentation with a blank slide and insert the first image. Insert a new blank slide and insert the second image. continue this process until each image has been inserted on an individual slide in order.


 * Ninth:** You now need to set the transition of every slide in the presentation to change automatically every 0 seconds. Do this by choosing slide transition from the Slideshow menu and removing the option to change on mouseclick and choose "Automatically after 00:00". Now when you play the presentation, each slide will immediately follow the previous one and it will look like a movie.

- In PowerPoint a music file can begin on the first slide and continue to the end of the presentation. - Before you put the sound in your movie, locate the sound you want and place that file inside a folder that has your PowerPoint file. - Go to //Insert// -- //Movies and Sounds// -- //Sound for file// and browse to the sound to insert. It will ask if you want the sound to play automatically. Answer yes. A small incon of a speaker will appear. It is not necessary for this to be visible on your final movie but leave it there for now. - Right click on the speaker icon and go to //custom animation.// //-// You should see the sound file listed on the right hand side. Right-click on it and choose //timing.// - The option for //start// should be set to //with previous.// - Set the delay for 0. - Set the repeats as needed - Choose the //Effects// tab. - //Start Playing// should be set to //from beginning.// - //Stop Playing// should be set to the //number of the last slide in your movie.//
 * Sound:** Sound can be added to your claymation but it is not necessary.

//Claymationally Yours,// //Mrs. Grams//
 * Have Fun! Be Creative!**