Cel Animation
3D Stereo
Stop Motion
Motion Capture

Hello Teachers and Educators:

We have assembled some websites that you may find useful in educating your students about the various technologies we use at the VTL Lab.

We have included the very best educational and entertainment websites for your students to enjoy.
It might be wise to introduce students to animation in general before discussing Motion Capture. We have included links on 2D cel animation, since children are probably most familiar with the classic cartoon form.

Another area of animation that students may be familiar with is stop-motion animation, sometimes referred to (erroneously) as “claymation.” Some of the greatest classics of children’s film and television have been created using stop motion animation from Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer to James and the Giant Peach. We have listed several sites that demonstrate and explain stop-motion.

 

Motion Capture is one of the most exciting technological advances in the history of motion pictures. Motion Capture has been used in hundreds of films, including Van Helsing, Lord of the Rings, Happy Feet, The Polar Express, Beowulf, Iron Man, A Christmas Carol, and Avatar.  Motion Capture presents wonderful learning opportunities for young people.  

Many children are familiar with 3D stereo from trips to theme parks such as Universal Studios and Walt Disney World and entertainment venues such as Imax Theaters. Many children have seen recent 3D films such as How To Train Your Dragon.

 

There are several no or low-cost activities that can be done in class. (Explained in detail in 3D stereo links.).

I hope you find your learning time with us very special. If you have any questions, please call me at 313-845-6478 or email me at popovich@hfcc.net.

Sincerely,

Dr. George Popovich
Director of Theater, Henry Ford Community College
Director, Virtual Theatricality Lab, Henry Ford Community College
HFCC Theater Site: http://www.hfcctheater.org
HFCC Virtual Theatricality Lab: http://hfccvirtualtheater.org
Phone: 313-845-6478
Email: popovich@hfcc.net

CEL ANIMATION

1. How A Walt Disney Cartoon is made. This 8 minute video detailing the making of Disney’s Snow White was made in 1938. Nevertheless, it is a comprehensive
overview of the cel animation process.

2. Do It Yourself: If you have access to Flash, you can illustrate the basics of animation with a hands-on approach for your students.

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3D STEREO

1. Optometrists Network. This site could be used for a week’s worth of activities. Be sure and explore the “free viewing”. 3D stereo pages: your students can see 3D stereo without any glasses or equipment in just a few minutes.

2. Do It Yourself: Make your own 3D stereo photos and view them with your students. Very low-cost methods.

3.Berezin: A commercial site that offers low cost viewers and books for children.

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STOP MOTION

1. Animation, Children & Youth programs.
Contains a wealth of short stop motion films that you can play instantly in class.

2. Ray Harryhausen: A compilation of clips of all of Harryhausen’s creatures. To find out more about Ray Harryhausen, see: http://www.rayharryhausen.com.

3. Do It Yourself: Feeling particularly energetic and creative? A handbook that explains all you need to know to make your own stop-motion film. You may also be interested in “framegrabber” software.

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MOTION CAPTURE

1. Virtual Vaudeville:
While not a lot has been written about Motion Capture for children, many children’s movies have used Motion capture extensively. Some of these films include Happy Feet, The Polar Express, and Monster House. This site contains some excellent footage showing the making of Motion Capture and how the movement is transferred from reflective markers to a digital character.

2. The Matrix: Shows various Motion Capture Rigging systems that lift actors into the air, spin them, etc.

3. Vicon: Vicon Motion Capture equipment has been used in every major Mo-Cap Film to date, including Beowulf, Polar Express, Spiderman, Spiderman III,The Incredible Hulk, Terminator 3, and A Christmas Carol. Scroll down to the middle of the page and view some of Vicon’s demo reels.

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