Video & Sound Production Final Project: Stop Motion

22.4.2024 - 13.5.2024 ( Week 1 - Week 4)

Lew Guo Ying / 0365721 / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media

Video & Sound Production

Final Project: Stop Motion

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Jump Link

1. Lectures

2. Final Project : Stop Motion

3. Feedback

4. Reflections

5. Further Reading

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Lectures

Week 4 :

Mr. Martin asked us to watch stop-motion related films and include them in our blog as references and inspiration for the final project.

Stop motion animation fruit and vegetables

This is a stop motion film made up of vegetables and fruits. It looks very relaxing even though it doesn't have much of a plot. However, it's very smooth and comfortable, and overall, it's quite enjoyable. The overall color scheme is also well-coordinated and not too intense.

Small Popcorn Factory - Stop Motion Cooking & ASMR

I quite like it. The skeleton in the film is quite cute. Of course, I'm someone who enjoys ASMR a lot, and this film is almost entirely ASMR. It's really soothing to both watch and listen to. Watching the corn kernels being plucked is very relaxing, although it triggers a bit of my fear of clustered objects.

“站”——定格烹饪DIY

This is a very enjoyable film. They turn intricate woodworking into stop motion. It feels like the hard wood is actually soft ingredients. The sound effects of cutting things are just like cutting vegetables, and the final finish with paint is also very relaxing.

Week 10 :

This week, we did stop motion trial filming to prepare for our final project. Each team is required to film two stop motions using both camera and stop motion app. Below is the outcome of my group's work.

Stop Motion App : 

Camera : 

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Instructions

MIB for Video & Sound Production

For our final project, we have to create a stop-motion film on a topic that needs approval from Mr. Martin before we start filming. We can choose to work either individually or in pairs, and if we choose to work in pairs, the video must be at least one minute long, if we work individually it has to be at least 30 seconds long. I opted to work alone so that I can have more control over the plot.

Proposal Development : 

I went onto douyin to search for references and I went across an interesting idea utilising airpods to film the stop motion. As a huge advocate for women's health and avoiding unwanted pregnancy, I decided to take a shot at filming a stop motion that brings across the idea of importance of protection.

 

Mr Martin approved this idea and I went on to proceed to crafting my equipments for this stop motion, I will need clay , some felt paper , airpods and wires for this project. 

Equipment Crafting & Filming : 

For the stop-motion project, I crafted the background props and mini AirPods using clay. I paid careful attention to the details to ensure the props were realistic and fit seamlessly into the scene. To create a vibrant and lifelike setting, I used green felt paper to mimic garden grass, which added texture and color to the environment. I also built a small house to serve as a backdrop and a place to position the AirPods, integrating them into the story. This combination of clay and felt paper allowed me to create a visually engaging and cohesive scene for my stop-motion film.

I booked the photo studio for Friday to begin the filming process for my stop-motion project. Upon arrival, I quickly set up the background, ensuring every detail was in place to create the desired atmosphere for my film. To enhance the visual appeal and fit the mood of the story, I carefully adjusted the lighting, opting for a warm yellow hue. This choice of lighting helped create a cozy, ambient atmosphere that complemented the narrative and brought the scene to life. Below are some behind the scene shots taken by my friends.

Editing in Premiere Pro :

I exported the raw footage from the stop-motion app and imported it into Premiere Pro to begin the editing process. This raw video included all the individual frames I had carefully captured during filming, showcasing the various stages of my stop-motion animation. In Premiere Pro, I meticulously edited the footage to ensure smooth transitions and enhance the overall flow of the animation. I also added sound effects to bring the scenes to life and immerse the audience in the story. 

View my final video here :

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Feedback

Week 12 : Mr Martin commented that I need to find a visual reference that has a similar style to airpods and he said the story plot looks interesting but I need to film it in a way that entices audiences to watch.

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Reflections

First and foremost, this project was incredibly fascinating, and I was grateful for the opportunity to take a bold approach with my own ideas. Mr. Martin encouraged me to explore my creative vision, which allowed me to delve deeper into the filming process and experiment with new techniques. The editing phase was particularly satisfying, as I was able to bring my stop-motion animation to life by carefully adding sound effects and polishing the final product.

Initially, I had some concerns about the outcome due to how different my concept was compared to my peers. I worried that the unique nature of my idea might not resonate well or that YouTube might have issues with my content. However, those fears were unfounded, as everything turned out well in the end. The final product exceeded my expectations, and I was proud of the innovative approach I took with the project. This experience taught me the value of creativity and risk-taking in filmmaking, and I look forward to applying these lessons to future projects.