Video and Sound Production - Final Project : Stop Motion
20/5/2024 - 22/7/2024 ( Week 5 - Week 14 )
Ho Winnie / 0364866
Video and Sound Production / Bachelor's of Design Honors In Creative Media
Final Project : Stop Motion
INSTRUCTIONS
2. Final Project : Stop Motion
1. Practicals
Week 4 :
Mr Martin instructed us to watch different stop motion videos to get a better grip of how it works and shortlist our top 3 favorite videos with rationales stated. Below are my top 3 as follows in no particular order :
The reason why I like this is because of the quality of the medium used and the audio sounds that fits perfectly with the video. The transitions are very smooth as well such as the chopsticks picking up the ramen noodles.
This is a more complex stop motion and it mixes reality and the medium together to weave a receipe and i find that very amazing. The details of each scene is captured very well coupled with the smooth transition between a real watermelon to lego.
Another food recipe stop motion, guess I really enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the transition between a real object to a medium. The overall vibes of this stop motion is very calming and yet again the transitions are the main highlights here.
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 :
2. Final Project : Stop Motion
For our final project, we are required to film a stop motion based on a topic we selected and the topic must be approved by Mr Martin before we can film. We can choose to work solo or work in pairs. If we work in pairs, the video must be a minute long and for me I decided to work with my friend, Lin Si Yan.
We held a brief discussion on what type of stop motion we want to film and we decided to film a game stop motion. The game is called Neko Atsume which is a virtual cat rearing game and our main focus will be how a day of a cat goes like in Neko Atsume.
A) Proposal Development
Me & Si Yan worked together on our proposal development and she focused more on creating the storyboard while I fill in the rest of the info like synopsis, details , references and the type of materials we will use for the film.
After Mr Matin took a first look at our proposal, he approved the idea of filming a promotional video for Neko Atsume but suggested us to add in a "wow" factor to surprise the viewers as everyone is familiar with the gameplay. In our case, we added a dog that came barking in the middle and disrupted the flow of the cat's day, we also added a clicking interface to make it more stop-motion like. After our proposal is approved, we quickly started to think of how might we split the job for props making as our shoot requires quite lots of props.
B) Props Making and Filming
For props, it was decided that I will be making all the props the cats play which includes a pillow, yarn ball , feather , cardboard house , kotatsu and also their sashimi food. I will also be in charge of making the clicking interfaces while Si Yan is responsible for making the background and also the clay cats and dogs.
My ( Winnie ) props to make :
My ( Winnie ) process of making props :
For the interfaces, I designed them on Illustrator and used the font I designed in Advanced Typography as the main text inside as I felt that it blends well. I created a loading interface with the cat paws gradually increasing.
For the props clicking interface, I chose the specific props we will be using and designed it in a smaller size so it will be easier to film.
For the cardboard house, I went to buy cardboards and paints to closely imitate the final outlook of the prop. The process was tough as it includes measuring the cardboard, cutting it and gluing it together. After that, I further decorated and painted the house.
For the kotatsu, I mainly use orange felt and a piece of cardboard to act as the support in the middle. The process involves cutting the felt and cardboard and gluing them together.
For the rest of the toys, I used clay to create the pillows and the food, ensuring they looked realistic and detailed. For the yarn ball, I found a plush imitation that closely resembled the real thing, adding a touch of authenticity. Additionally, I included a feather-like toy to provide extra playtime fun for the cats. These handmade and carefully selected toys added a unique and engaging element to the overall setup, making it both visually appealing and enjoyable for the cats.
Si Yan's props to make :
Si Yan's process of making props :
For her cats and dogs, she primarily used clay to meticulously sculpt each one by hand. To accommodate the need for movement in the stop-motion animation, she cleverly inserted wires into their legs. This allowed for smooth and precise adjustments during filming, ensuring the animals could be posed and animated seamlessly. The addition of wires not only facilitated their movement but also added a level of durability to the clay figures, making them more resilient during the animation process. This thoughtful approach to creating the animals significantly enhanced the overall quality and fluidity of the stop-motion project.
For her background, she primarily used colored paper, carefully cutting and arranging it to create various elements such as the floor, clouds, grass, and river. She skillfully crafted these pieces to ensure they looked realistic and vibrant. To add depth and dimension to the scene, she used a piece of cardboard, bending and shaping it to mimic the appearance of a bridge. This added a dynamic element to the background, making it more visually interesting and lifelike.
Filming Process :
We booked the photo studio for filming and quickly began setting up our props. First, we carefully pasted the background, ensuring it was securely in place and visually appealing. The background included various elements such as the floor, clouds, grass, and river, all meticulously crafted from colored paper. Once the backdrop was ready, we started placing our cat toys one by one.
This meticulous setup process was essential to ensure that every detail was perfect and ready for the stop-motion animation. The studio environment provided the ideal lighting and space to bring our vision to life, allowing us to focus on the intricate process of filming each frame.
It was a smooth process filming it and we wrapped up our shoot in about two hours, we were satisfied with it and I am thankful to have Si Yan as my partner in this project. Below are some behind the scenes pictures we took.
C) Editing in Premiere Pro
I exported the video from the stop motion app, resulting in a raw stop-motion video. This initial version did not include any color adjustments or audio enhancements, serving as the foundational footage for our project. The raw video showcased the meticulously crafted animations and the seamless movement of the characters, providing a clear and unedited glimpse into the effort and detail that went into each frame.
Adding Sound Effects :
I added cat meowing sound effects, pop-up effects , dog barking effects , cat scratching sound effects one by one inside the video. I aligned the timing to ensure it fits and also used the audio sound editing tool to increase the volume and make it " close-up " sound.
Adding Background Music :
I chose Neko Atsume's theme song as the main background music because it perfectly fits the theme of the video. To enhance the overall viewing experience, I carefully balanced the audio levels by reducing the volume of the background music whenever sound effects appeared. This adjustment ensured that the sound effects stood out, adding depth and engagement to the animation.
Stabilizing The Video :
I applied the warp stabilizer effect to reduce the shakiness in some frames, ensuring the animation appeared smoother and more polished. This tool helped to correct minor movements and inconsistencies, providing a more stable and visually pleasing final product. By carefully adjusting the settings of the warp stabilizer, I was able to maintain the integrity of the original footage while enhancing the overall fluidity of the animation.
Color Adjustments :
I began the color correction process by adjusting the video's temperature to make it "warmer," giving it a more inviting and pleasant tone. I also reduced the tint slightly to balance the colors and achieve a more natural look. Additionally, I increased the contrast to enhance the differentiation between light and dark areas, adding depth and dimension to the visuals. To further improve the video's appearance, I adjusted the shadows, making them more pronounced and giving the scenes a richer and more dynamic quality.
I created another version of the video with a "darker" tone to represent a night scene. To achieve this effect, I added an adjustment layer on top of the original footage. I started by decreasing the temperature to give the video a cooler, more nighttime feel. Additionally, I reduced the contrast to soften the overall image, making it appear more subdued and appropriate for a night setting. To balance these adjustments, I increased the "whites" to ensure that key elements in the scene remained visible and to add subtle highlights that enhanced the nocturnal atmosphere.
With that, the video editing is done and I uploaded the video onto Youtube
3. Feedback
Week 12 :
Mr Martin suggested we add a "wow" factor to our video as everyone is familarized with the original gameplay. We can consider adding ourselves clicking the interfaces to make the video more stop-motion like. Other than that, proposal idea is good to go and we should start to prepare props.
Week 14 :
Mr Martin commented that the final outcome of stop motion is very cute and has good editing, it is ready for submission.
4. Reflection
4. Reflection
Findings :
I found myself thoroughly enjoying the entire process, from ideation to prop making, filming, and editing. Each step brought its own challenges and rewards. The hardest part for me was the prop making, which involved intricate tasks like cutting, painting, and sawing cardboard. Despite the difficulty, the effort was rewarding.
I also learned the importance of allocating sufficient time to plan a good storyboard. A clear storyboard proved invaluable during filming, serving as a visual guide and streamlining the shooting process. This organization saved a significant amount of time and ensured each scene was well-coordinated.
Overall, while prop making was challenging, the structured planning and creative process made the project enjoyable and satisfying.
Observations :
I observed that allocating sufficient time for each process is crucial in stop-motion animation. Proper time management ensures that each stage, from ideation to prop making, filming, and editing, is executed well, resulting in a higher quality final product.
Having a good working partner also makes a significant difference. Si Yan and I have collaborated on multiple projects before, so we have a strong working relationship. Our familiarity with each other's work styles allowed us to split tasks efficiently and communicate effectively. This seamless collaboration helped us tackle complex tasks more easily and support each other through challenges.
Our teamwork and mutual understanding were pivotal in the project's success. By leveraging each other's strengths and maintaining clear communication, we worked more productively and creatively. This experience underscored the importance of both time management and strong partnership in producing high-quality stop-motion animation.
Experience :
Filming this stop-motion project was a fruitful and immensely rewarding experience. Neko Atsume is one of my favorite games, and having the opportunity to create a promotional video for it meant a great deal to me. Throughout the process, I gained numerous new skills and insights.
I learned how to properly utilize lighting techniques to enhance the visual appeal of each scene, ensuring that the characters and props were well-illuminated and visually striking. Additionally, I improved my camera skills, learning how to frame shots effectively and capture the fluid movements necessary for high-quality stop-motion animation.
This project not only allowed me to deepen my appreciation for Neko Atsume but also provided valuable hands-on experience that will be beneficial in future endeavors.
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