Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Pre-Production Booklet for Animation

Name: Matthew Brienza
Order of contents (italics show areas you must add in yourself)
Assessment criteria
LO2

Mind maps of ideas

Risk assessment

Format of your animation

Subject and storyline

Character notes and profiles

Movement of characters

Moodboard

Sets/backgrounds

Audio and soundtrack

Sound table

Props list

Audience

Storyboard and script (add script to booklet)

Frame rates

Lighting design

Production schedule

Crew details

LO3

Frame Numbers

Dope Sheets

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

How to use this booklet

You will need to complete every page of this booklet, and all sections / questions
required.
Assessment criteria for Distinction grade;
LO2
Plans will show a full consideration of movement and continuity, perspective, point of view,
transitions and special effects.
Precise and workable planning of timing and synchronisation to a soundtrack will be
produced. It will be clear at this stage, from the documentation, what the finished piece will
look and sound like.
Learners will follow industry conventions and terminology used in storyboard production
correctly.
Plans for the construction of models, sets and props will be realistic and clear.
Drawings, script and storyboard will all show a creative interpretation of the idea.
LO3:
The documentation linked to the production will be full and detailed and there will be
evidence that the production management and scheduling of the project has been effective
and carried out in a professional manner. The techniques used in the production of the work
are likely to be related to an understanding of current trends in the industry.

Both LO2 and LO3

In all practical activity learners will be capable of working autonomously and effectively. They
will work on their own initiative, will not need constant support or supervision, will give the
work their full commitment, work positively and cooperatively with others, and meet
deadlines. In other words, they will have the kind of self-management skills that would be
expected of them in a professional context. Note also that this criterion should not be taken
to mean that learners do not seek advice or that they work without discussing things with
their tutor, but rather that they are not dependent upon the support of others and that when
they take advice they weigh it carefully for themselves.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Planning
Brainstorm / mind map (add extra pages if necessary)

Attach a 400 word treatment of your idea

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

For my production I want to create a childrens animation series using predominantly Lego. I want to
make similar to shows such as Pingu and morph where they dont use dialogue but do a variety of
silly funny sketches I would want to crate with Lego mini-figs. It will be an educational animated
production with an inspiring lead character aimed at 3-8 years old. It will be around 1-minute long. I
will be using an existing soundtrack for the production. The narrative structure must be suitable for
children 8 and under. There must be a narrator. The main character must appeal to both genders. The
location must appeal to children 8 and under and there should be a moral to the story. I want the story
to make a good example of how to deal with friendships to set a good example. So I want the story to
be about two friends and I want it to initially show their friendship and then I want to argue and split up
but then eventually become friends again. I will start with both friends In a house with each other and I
will have one of the friends break another friends toy and then I want them to get into an argument
about it and then I want to go their separate ways where they occasionally bump into each other. I
then want them to bump into each other and become friends again.

How will you meet the requirements of your brief?

I will meet the requirements for my brief by making my own set built of Lego. I will also make It child friendly by
making the set colorful and make sure the children can understand the story by making it simple to follow with
characters they can relate to. Since its made out of Lego I have made sure I have brought in lego to build my set.
And my deadline is for the 3rd of January.

Risk assessment: Are there any health and safety issues you may encounter?

Discuss any legal issues you may face. Eg; sound, plagiarism, age restrictions
May use Lego figures which are owned by movies or television programs. This may be an issue
because they could be copyrighted. The current act is the Copyright, Designs and Patents

Act 1988. The law gives the creators of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic works, sound
recordings, broadcasts, films and typographical arrangement of published editions, rights to
control the ways in which their material may be used.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

I may also face copyright action through the music that I use.

Email to
creator

My production is aimed to 3-8 year olds so I need to make sure the content is appropriate for that age
because I could face legal issues if I do not obey to those rules.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/299373/13-537-code-ofpractice-age-restricted-products.pdf

Use of possible formats

Circle which of the following formats your animation will take;
stop-frame techniques
time lapse photography
plasticine animation
Claymation
using found objects
modelling
puppetry
combined formats

Why are you using that particular format?

I am using these formats because they are easier to humanize the Lego pieces I will be
using and therefore will make the children who my production is aimed at easier to
understand.

What are the different possibilities you could explore using this format?
It would allow me to move the models and figures in my production in unique and interesting
ways. It also makes for my production to have a more fluid method of storytelling.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

What are the limitations of using this format? (i.e what problems/ obstacles might you
have?) The limitations pf using this format is that I will have limitations for how much I can
move the Lego figures and also how I can place the lego pieces on the set.

What imaginative or inventive animations have you seen which use this format?
Add in links and screen shots of three examples of animations using this format.
https://www.youtube.com/

https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=ZF7zp2-jL3I

https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=uYWSOzFMZjg

This will help me with my production mainly because it shows how the models move
especially the first example as it is lego stop motion and that the model that I will be using for
my production.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Subject
What will the subject of your animation be?
The subject of my show is aimed at children and I want it to put a morale story through to
them.

Storyline
Describe the storyline of your animation. What events will happen to your characters?
The storyline of my production is that it displays to friends and together and then fall out
because one of them breaks anothers favorite toy so they go their separate ways and find
out that they miss each other so they then find each other and make up.

Characters
What characters will be in your animation?
The characters in my animation will just be generic Lego mini figures. Who are friends with
each other

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Complete the character profiles for each character in your animation

Name:
M/F:
Age
Costume:

Billy
Male
10

Occupation:

No occupation because he is a child

Hobbies:
Plays with his friends going to the park
Character
Background:

Generic legoman

Name:
M/F:
Age
Costume:

Mikey
Male
10

Occupation:
No occupation because he is a child
Hobbies:

Plays with his friends going to the park

Character
Background:

Generic Legoman

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Add in images and drawings/ sketches of what they will look like.

What will they be made of?

Lego

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Movement of characters

How are you going to make your characters move?

Well my characters are going to be lego mini figures so they are pretty much limited to the
motion of how the classic lego figures joints move. So that is through their legs, arms, hands
and head.

What is the purpose of an armature?

The purpose of it is to create a skeleton for your model or puppet. They do this so the model
has a much more fluid way of moving

Will you use them for your characters?

No

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Mood board
Create a mood board showing what look your animation will have. Add images showing
ideas of mise-en-scene, characters, costumes and colours that will be present in the
different shots.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Sets / backgrounds
Will your set be;

A three wall set

A blue/green screen

An existing location

A Combination of two or more of the above

Draw sketches of how your sets/backgrounds will look. Add in labels to your diagrams and
details of locations / lighting etc.

Add in photographs of your sets/backgrounds.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Audio and Soundtrack

What audio will you have for your animation?
The Sound track I will use throughout my production will be Care Free by Kevin Mcleod
LINK!
Complete the sound list, detailing what sounds you will use, where you will source them,
what equipment you will need to record them and when you will use them in your animation.
You will need to design your own soundtrack. You cannot use copyrighted music, and it must
be more than simply adding a track.
What actions will need sound effects?
Think of the scenes in your animation. Each scene should have different sounds/music to
give information about the mood / emotions of the characters.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Shot

Action

Description
of Sound

Diegetic/non/diegetic

All

Music

Non

All

Narration

Non

Props List

Atmosphere
created

Musice
type and
atmosphere
Care Free by
Kevin Mcleod

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

What props / models / furniture etc will you need to make your animation?
PROPS LIST
WHAT TYPE OF LEGO

Item

Script page

Lego

Every page

Description

Character/location

Notes

Audience
Define the following characteristics of your audience;
Focus group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO964d-y1Ek&feature=youtu.be
Gender
Male & female

Age
3-8

Interests
Educational programming as well as humor such as telling kids how to be friends.

What forms of animation might they already watch?

Shows such as pingu, morph and movies such as The Lego movie and Wallace and Gromit
They would watch these shows because they are humorous as well as telling a morale
lesson

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

What images do you think they enjoy watching?

What might they consider distasteful or offensive?

Since the audience are young they will need an easy story to follow so the storyline shouldt
be complex so that they can grasp it easier.
The story should also set an example so it is suitable for them and so it can teach them a
lesson, so I dont think it would be a good idea to include a more adult filmed story with rude
humor.

How will you ensure that your animation will suit your chosen audience?
My animation will be well suited with my audience straight away because children already
have an affinity with Lego so it will straight away grab their attention. My animation also has
key lessons to teach them which will suit them well.

How will they physically watch your animation? (i.e in an exhibition format, on screen,
projection, online?)
This would most likely be aired on tv or as a web series as these are easily accessible for
children

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

You will need to convey all movements and actions. Copy and paste the storyboard to
make it as long as you need to show all the detail of your animation.
You will need to add pages to this section for your full storyboard

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Frame Rates
What is the duration of your animation in minutes? (minimum 30 seconds)
My production will be a minute long
In seconds?
60

How many frames per second for video?

I will be using roughly 20 frames per second

There are 60 seconds in a minute. How many frames (ie. Individual photos) will you
need to take?
I will need to take 1200 pictures

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Lighting Design

Where will you be photographing your animation?

In a studio

Does it have natural daylight?

No

If so, you will need to block this out

Will block it out by filming in the studio

Do you have a constant light source(s) such as a lamp?

yes

Where will you place your light source(s) to create interesting effects?
On the camera

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

(LO3)

Frame numbers
You will need to label your images as frames
The first 24 frames will be written as;
0_1
0_2 etc etc

the following 24 will be

1_1
1_2
1_3
Ensure your clips are labeled as such. Screen shot the folder your clips are in, and copy the
image underneath.

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Dope sheets
A dope sheet is an animation tool which helps a animator organise the animation shot-byshot.
This gives the camera operator instructions on each shot type and how many frames this will
be used for.
A dope sheet is usually split into 5 different sections.

To indicate what action occurs on which frame number

To see what action is happening in this shot.
To see what dialogue used in this scene.
To show what level of animation is happening.
To give camera instructions (angle).

For example;

Because you will be working with video, you will be using 30fps. You will need to complete a
dope sheet for EVERY SECOND of your animation.
i.e, if you make a 30 second animation, you will need to complete 30 dope sheets.
This will be a time-consuming task, but it will help you understand what will need to
happen in each of the shots you take. The higher marks will come from a detailed and
careful collection of dope sheets. For example, if your characters speaks, you will need to
show the mouth forming every shape in order to look effective.

Frame
0_1

Path of action

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Dialogue /
Camera
Animation
Soundtrack cue
instructions

Billy walks into frame

Footstep sound
effect

Billy walks into

frame

Focused on the
Centre of the
set

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

1_1

Billy turns round

Turning round

Focused on the
Centre of the
set

0_2
0_3
0_4
0_5
0_6
0_7
0_8
0_9

1_2
1_3
1_4
1_5
1_6

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

1_7
1_8
1_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

2_1
2_2
2_3
2_4
2_5
2_6

Lifting hand to wave it

Waving hand

Focused on the
Centre of the
set

2_7
2_8
2_9

Frame
3_1
3_2
3_3
3_4
3_5
3_6
2_7
3_8
3_9

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Frame

Path of action

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Dialogue /
Camera
Soundtrack
Animation
instructions
cue

4_1
4_2
4_3
4_4
4_5
4_6
4_7
4_8
4_9

Bike moves into shot

Frame

Path of action

5_1
5_2
5_3
5_4
5_5
5_6
5_7
5_8
5_9

Bike
screech/motor

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Bike moving

Animation

Focused on the
center of the set

Camera
instructions

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

6_1
6_2
6_3
6_4
6_5
6_6
6_7
6_8
6_9

Frame
7_1
7_2
7_3
7_4
7_5
7_6

7_7

Billy gets on bike and

crashes it

Motor effect and

crash sound
effect

Bike moves and

crashes

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

7_8
7_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

8_1
8_2
8_3
8_4
8_5
8_6

Lifting hand to wave it

Waving hand

Focused on the
Centre of the
set

8_7
8_8
8_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Mikey storms off

Angry gibberish

Mikey walks out

Focused on the

9_1
9_2
9_3

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

of shot
Centre of the
set
9_4
9_5
9_6
9_7
9_8
9_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

10_1
10_2
10_3
10_4
10_5
10_6
10_7
10_8
10_9

Waving hand

Camera
instructions

Frame

Path of action

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Dialogue /
Camera
Soundtrack
Animation
instructions
cue

11_1
11_2
11_3
11_4
11_5
11_6

Lifting hand to wave it

Waving hand

Focused on the
Centre of the
set

11_7
11_8
11_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

12_1
12_2
12_3
12_4
12_5
12_6

12_7
12_8
12_9

Lifting hand to wave it

Waving hand

Focused on the
Centre of the
set

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Mikey comes up with an

idea

Fairy dust
sound effect

Mikey spins
around

Focused on
Mikey

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

13_1
13_2
13_3
13_4
13_5
13_6
13_7
13_8
13_9

Frame
14_1
14_2
14_3
14_4
14_5
14_6

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

14_7
14_8
14_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

14_1
14_2
14_3
14_4
14_5
14_6
14_7
14_8
14_9

Frame
15_1
15_2
15_3
15_4
15_5
15_6
15_7

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

15_8
15_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

16_1
16_2
16_3
16_4
16_5
16_6
16_7
16_8
16_9

Frame
17_1
17_2
17_3
17_4
17_5
17_6
17_7
17_8
17_9

Frame

Path of action

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Dialogue /
Camera
Soundtrack
Animation
instructions
cue

18_1
18_2
18_3
18_4
18_5
18_6
18_7
18_8
18_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

19_1
19_2
19_3
19_4
19_5
19_6
19_7
19_8
19_9

Frame
20_1

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

20_2
20_3
20_4
20_5
20_6
20_7
20_8
20_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

21_1
21_2
21_3
21_4
21_5
21_6
21_7
21_8
21_9

Frame
22_1
22_2
22_3
22_4
22_5
22_6
22_7
22_8

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

22_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Lego man
walking

Low shot of the

set

23_1
23_2
23_3
23_4

Mikey walks up to the

counter

Lego footsteps

23_5
23_6
23_7
23_8
23_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

24_1
24_2
24_3
24_4
24_5
24_6
24_7
24_8
24_9

Frame
25_1
25_2
25_3

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

25_4
25_5
25_6
25_7
25_8
25_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Animation

Camera

26_1
26_2
26_3
26_4
26_5
26_6
26_7
26_8
26_9

Frame
27_1
27_2
27_3
27_4
27_5
27_6
27_7
27_8
27_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

cue
instructions
28_1
28_2
28_3
28_4
28_5
28_6
28_7

Mikey asks if there are

any bikes left

Gibberish

Arms moving up
and down

Focused on
Mikey and
shopkeeper

28_8
28_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Shopkeeper gets bike

for mikey

Moter sound
effect

29_1
29_2
29_3
29_4
29_5
29_6
29_7
29_8
29_9

Frame
30_1
30_2
30_3
30_4
30_5

Legoman walks
off set and rives
bike in

Focused on
mikey

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

30_6
30_7
30_8
30_9

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

33_1

Mikey gets on the bike

Motor noise

Mikey moves off

Bike moves off

Frame
31_1
31_2
31_3
31_4
31_5
31_6
31_7
31_8
31_9

Frame
32_1
32_2
32_3
32_4
32_5
32_6
32_7
32_8
32_9

and moves off

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

set

33_2
33_3
33_4
33_5
33_6
33_7
33_8
33_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

34_1
34_2
34_3
34_4
34_5
34_6
34_7
34_8
35_9

Frame
36_1
36_2
36_3
36_4
36_5

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

36_6
36_7
36_8
36_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

37_1
37_2
37_3
37_4
37_5
37_6
37_7
37_8
37_9

Frame
38_1
38_2
38_3
38_4
38_5
38_6
38_7
38_8
38_9

Frame
39_1

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

39_2
39_3
39_4
39_5
39_6
39_7
39_8
39_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Mikey picks up bills

Motor noise

Mikey picks up
Billy

Focused on the
two legomen

40_1
40_2
40_3
40_4
40_5
40_6
40_7
40_8
40_9

Frame
41_1
41_2
41_3
41_4
41_5
41_6

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

41_7
41_8
41_9

Frame

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

42_1
42_2
42_3
42_4
42_5
42_6
42_7
42_8
42_9

Frame
43_1
43_2
43_3
43_4
43_5
43_6
43_7
43_8
43_9

Frame
44_1
44_2

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44_3
44_4
44_5
44_6
44_7
44_8
44_9

Frame
45_1
45_2
45_3
45_4
45_5
45_6
45_7
45_8
45_9

Path of action

Dialogue /
Soundtrack
cue

Animation

Camera
instructions

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet

Liaising with client (write notes on discussions between you and your client)

Stop Motion Animation Pre-production Booklet