**Note: If you are using a different animation software, the instructions on how to complete the final product will need to be modified.
Script: Hello everyone, yesterday we used Wiggledoodle-ish as an introduction to animation. Today we are going to be using the next level called Flipbook-ish to create some more animations. Remember, Ingenia’s Serenity Studios is hosting an animation competition. To be a part of it, you’ll be creating animations that make things move and more. Today, you’ll start to learn how!
First let’s review what we learned yesterday. Can someone tell me something they learned yesterday?.... We learned about optical illusions which is something that deceives the eye by appearing to be other than it is. We also learned about how animation works–our brain and eyes work together to make it look like images are moving. When images change quickly, our brain blends it together and makes it seem like the image is moving.
We are going to start the class by learning to use Flipbook-ish which is Level 2 on Animation-ish. Go ahead and go to animationish.com and login. Click on Flipbook-ish. You will notice that there are a few new features that were not in Wiggledoodle-ish.
Distribute the Level Two user guide.
Have your screen pulled up and go through the new buttons added and what they mean.
Play the Animation-ish Lesson: Flipbook-ish
Walk through the tutorial. Have students duplicate what is being shown on the screen. Pause the video if needed to make sure that students are keeping up. Have them save the project.
Script: Now that you have played around a little in Flipbook-ish, we are going to use it to apply one of the principles in animation which can make your animation more effective. In the early days of Disney animation studio, two animators studied what made animation effective. They came up with 12 principles which animators still use today to create effective animations. We won’t have time to learn them all, but we will take a look at one of them. The principle is called “squash and stretch.” We will be watching a video that talks more about them.
Play Squash and Stretch video located on the page under Unit 2: What is Animation?
Script: Now we have learned about how squash and stretch works, let's do a tutorial that will allow us to put it into action.
Play Animation-ish Lesson: Bouncing Ball
Have students follow the tutorial by creating a new project and following along as the bouncing ball is created. Remember to pause the video to make sure everyone is following along. Make sure they save and name their project.
Discuss: How does changing the shape of your ball make the animation more believable?
Have students present one of their bouncing ball animations explaining their design and animation process to their peers. Nudge students into questioning one another or into sharing tips and tricks learned.
Once they have followed the tutorial, now it’s time for them to apply what they learned in their animation.
Script: Now that you understand how squash and stretch works and how to do it, you are going to improve your name animation from yesterday using squash and stretch.
Script: Now you are ready for your big project! Ingenia’s Serenity Studios competition is for new animated PSAs! The filmmakers at Serenity Studios are in search of the next great animator to bring an important message to life!
Serenity Studios is having a competition to produce a Public Service Announcement as a commercial. You all will be entering the competition and create an animation that will serve as the Public Service Announcement using Flipbook-ish.
Before we get started, does anyone know what Public Service Announcement (PSA) means? ….
Have you ever seen a poster or a billboard that isn’t trying to sell a product, but instead shares a message to change people’s behavior for the better, or provide a safety warning (perhaps to encourage buckling seat belts, or flossing teeth)?
These messages are called Public Service Announcements (PSAs). They don’t sell a product or service, but rather convey a helpful idea. You can share what is important to you through animation. It is a way that you can “say something.” The things that matter to you are important to share with the world because your unique ideas can reach people that others might not.
Here is an example of a PSA.
Watch Simple PSA Example: Cover Your Sneeze located under Unit 6: Say Something PSAs
After watching the video, here are some questions to ask.
Script: Now that you have seen an example of a PSA, I want you to think of a message you want to share. To help you decide on a message you want to share, we are going to brainstorm some ideas for your very own PSA.
Students now have the background knowledge needed to brainstorm ideas for their very own PSAs. Review the messages from the example PSAs, asking students to consider what topic and message they would be interested in sharing with the world. Invite students to pair up or work individually on their PSAs.
The purpose of these messages should be to communicate knowledge for the public good; consider offering examples of social issues to get the ball rolling. Suggest to students that they keep their campaigns focused on general issues. Possible kid-friendly examples of social campaigns to create include:
Once students have had time to think on and select a PSA topic, have them create mind maps using what they already know on the subject. Pose brainstorm questions to get students on the right track:
If needed, mind map with the class to demonstrate the process. For example, here is a mind map brainstorm for an animal rescue campaign:
Script: Based on your mind map, decide on the message you would like to make your PSA animation about. Animation is about sharing ideas. We want the audience watching to understand the idea we are trying to convey. Start thinking about how your animated PSA will unfold. What kind of images do you need to bring your message to life?
Principles of Animation: 12 foundational animation concepts developed by Disney animators that help guide animators to make high quality animations
Squash and Stretch: One of the 12 principles of animation - a technique in which an animated character or object’s shape is changed to show lively movement.
Flipbook-ish: level 2 of animation-ish where you can animate with more than 3 frames.
Invite and encourage students to experiment further with Flipbook-ish on their own time. Remind students that their saved projects can always be found in the Project Vault.
