Video and Sound Production - Final Project: Stop Motion

28/3/22- /22 (Week1-Week)

Video & Sound Production / Project 2: Shooting Practise & Editing

Loh Shu Huan / 0349621
Bachelor of Design in Creative Media

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INSTRUCTIONS

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Exercises

Week1

Final Project - weekly task Week 1 - 28/3/22

1. Stop motion shorts

We were required to watch a stop motion short video and shortlist THREE of them with an explanation of the reasons why they were chosen.

1. I believe that lots of people have seen this before, and I reckon this is a really good example of a short stop motion video. The elements that have been used in this video are so creative, grenade toy as an avocado, baseball as an onion. I love the transition while the food is being cut. For example, when the “onion” is cut and become diced, the transition is super smooth. The video itself is really clean and clear, and the stop motion is so smooth and sharp.

2. First of all, the resolution and the quality of the video are really high (the texture of the wool felt, clothes, paper, and the refraction of the water and be clearly seen). The thing that I love the most about the video is the LIGHTNING. The use of lightning will decide how the scenario feels and overall, this video gave me a warm feeling. Besides, I believe that the hardest part of the progression of this video is the progress of creating the characters (with different poses). The art style is warm and lively which makes me feel comfortable.

3. I was attracted by the sound effects of this video at first. But after I keep watching it until the end, I was impressed by its clay "soap" characters. The shape transitions are so smooth as also the shadow. I was super curious about how the author managed to make the "soap" jump in the air. 

2. Visual effects shorts

We were required to watch Zach King's visual effects short video and shortlist THREE of them with the explanation of the reasons why they were chosen.

1. I think the amazing part in this video is how a glass window of the vending machine becomes some kind of soft plastic material. Before putting on the zipper, the reflection on the glass and the sound of heating make people know that it is glass. But after putting on a zipper the reflection changed and the slapping sounds become soft. I can’t really find a bug in it.

2. This video is really short but it looks super real because the cameraman looks like he is holding the camera and recording all the way. After the cameraman jumped out and then the train is still moving fast.

3. Another short video about transforming a laptop into an aquarium. The attractive part is how to get so much water out of the laptop's screen.

Week8

Final Project - Proposal Week 8 - 16/5/22

This week we were required to do a proposal for our final project. The proposal must include:

1. Working Title
2. Stop Motion / Visual Effect
3. Synopsis
4. Visual Refrences ( rational, screen shots & links)

Fig 1.1 Final Project Proposal

Week9

Final Project - Storyboard Week 9 - 23/5/22

This week Mr.Martin had reviewed our proposal. Mr.Martin think that my story is good but it's not interesting enough for a short stop motion. But mine opinion is that I want to tell a hear-warming story and the most important thing here is the background of the story. 

When Christmas comes, people gather on Christmas Eve with family and friends and look forward to the gifts they will receive when they wake up the next morning. But, what about Santa? Is he alone on Christmas Eve? Does he expect and receive gifts too? No one knows. So this story is to shows the other side of Santa.

Our task for this week is to create our storyboard. Before doing my story board, I decided to go to the Lego retail store to find the props that I need. 

I bought the Santa set online first, and then. I realised that it is not enough for the story. So I went to a retail store and bought a box of the Lego and an extra pack.

Fig 1.2 Props - Santa's Visit

Fig 1.3 Props - Large Creative Bricks Box

Fig 1.4 Props - Extra Pack

After I gathered the Lego, I started building the house and the scenes. After made sure all the scenes are doable, I started working on my storyboard.

Fig 1.5 Storyboard

Week11-14

Final Project - Storyboard Week 11 - 14, 6/6/22 - 27/6/22

This week Mr.Martin getting the approvement from Mr.Martin, I started shooting these top motion. For the lighting, I used a lamp which I bought previously and covered it with a white cloth to weaken andsoften the light.

Fig 2.1 Setup

Fig 2.2 Light

Instead of using the original camera of the phone, I decided to use an app call - Stop Motion.

Fig 2.3 Apps - Stop Motion

Once I finished all the shooting of the footage, I created some minor illustrations in Ai to support the story.

Fig 2.4 Adding the illustrations

Fig 2.5 Adding the illustrations

Fig 2.6 Adding the illustrations

After that, I tried the footage and added the sound effects and background music in Premiere Pro. Mr.Martin also suggested me do some minor colour corrections as the outdoor should be cooler and the indoors should be warmer.

Fig 2.7 Progression in Adobe Premiere Pro

Fig 2.7 Colour Correction

Lastly, I import the video to After Effect to add the title.

Fig 2.8 Title Adding

To view the Final Project, click here.

Fig 2.9 Final Project - Stop Motion [Santa's Christmas]