you are here [x]: Scarlet Star Studios > the Scarlet Letters > birthday party: 3anim8
<< before
spooky spooky, scary scary
after >>
birthday card: zoe albright
November 11, 2009
birthday party: 3anim8
by sven at 7:00 am
This year for my birthday party I wanted to have all my friends make an animated film for me.
We set up an animation table in the middle of the living room, and over the course of the evening folks jammed using paper cut-outs and found objects. Oh, man… It was AWESOME!
We used a consumer-grade DV cam for image capture. For software, we used FrameThief. For non-animators: There are a variety of softwares you can use -- a few free ones, but typically $40 for the basics.
The frame for the downshooter is made from a couple of simple wooden lighting stands I built a while back, an 8' long cross-strut, and C-clamps. The light fixtures and umbrellas are from a local pro camera supplier -- but I'm just using 200 watt (3980 lumens) incandescent bulbs in them, which came from a department store.
It was really wonderful getting to share my love for stop-motion animation with a bunch of friends. After years of hearing me talk about this crazy art form, they finally got try out the mysterious thing for themselves.
Folks were a little surprised at just how much fun it is to bring little inanimate bits and bobs to life. I think I may have made a few converts that night… ;)
So: THANK YOU everyone for coming! I had a wonderful time… Best birthday party ever!!
posted by sven | November 11, 2009 7:00 AM | comments (9) | categories: exhibits & events, stopmo
Comments
Bestest idea EVER! And the film itself was actually quite great! Way to go!
Posted by: Shelley Noble at November 11, 2009 11:20 PM
Thanks Shells!
Posted by: sven at November 12, 2009 9:01 AM
Yay! Wow, what fun. I think that was the best birthday party ever too! BTW, I'm on a PC and the photo at the top where you click on the movie doesn't' show up. It's just a little vertical bar...
Posted by: Linda Womack at November 12, 2009 10:32 AM
I'll 3rd that -- the best b-day party ever! Thanks for having us and setting up the animation 'thingie', and thanks to everyone who made the film!
Posted by: shuju at November 12, 2009 11:24 AM
the soundtrack makes me squirm a little: i wish we had had another go at it. but it works! and it was a lot of fun. happy 3anim8!
Posted by: gl. at November 12, 2009 1:25 PM
man....that was reallly cool!
jriggityPosted by: justin at November 13, 2009 2:13 PM
Regarding my earlier comment, I don't know what happened but it all looks good on my browser now. Well done!
Posted by: Linda Womack at November 25, 2009 12:45 PM
oh, linda, your comment helped us troubleshoot & fix something! so thank you!
Posted by: gl. at November 25, 2009 10:08 PM
That was seriously awesome - and I begin to understand why animation is so compelling - big hugs and thank you for being so generous and sharing your toys with us on your birthday!
Posted by: Bridget B. at November 29, 2009 11:12 AM