Stop motion animation can be created in many different ways. Today, there are some helpful apps to make the often time-consuming task more streamlined!
I have long enjoyed using Stop Motion Studio but recently came across some browser-based apps I’m interested in exploring further including Stop Motion Animator (for Chrome books) or the free and simple, Parapara app by Mozilla.
Stop Motion Studio is an app that facilitates the process of creating stop motion animations with clay, cut-outs, LEGO, you name it! It’s a great way to explore storytelling and multimedia. There’s a free and a paid version, and this is what you can do with them:
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Free version:
- Adjustable timer
- Camera settings
- Auto focus
- Auto exposure
- High definition exporting
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Paid version:
- Themes
- Sounds clips
- Green screen
- Filters
- Paint
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Although any video editor does what Stop Motion Studio does, this app narrows down the functionalities to what is relevant in creating stop motion animations. Also, it adjusts the number of frames for each still to suit stop motion better, whereas this could be a little more complex to set up in video editors. Finally, videos are saved in high definition by default, making the process more straightforward.
This resource reinforces using the creative thinking core competency, especially when used in a second language classroom such as French Immersion, Core French, etc.
- Use a stand or tripod, or even anything to stabilize the camera and fix the angle
- Use the timer function, so you don’t have to push the camera buttons, and with that you’ll avoid pushing the camera out of place
- Play a bit with the auto-focus and auto-exposure settings to see if they’re going to create dramatic differences between frames. You might want to turn it off if they do.
- Get good lighting, videos love light and good contrast
- Storyboard, or at least plan ahead what each scene is going to look like. That will save you editing time and make the story more coherent.
Here’s our Quick Start Guide you can share with other Teachers and Students
