VIDEO & SOUND PRODUCTION FINAL PROJECT: STOP MOTION

20.05.2024 - 22.07.2024 / Week 5 -Week 14

Emily Goh Jin Yee / 0357722 / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Video & Sound Production / VSP60104 / Section 04

Final Project: Stop Motion

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. LECTURES

2. INSTRUCTIONS

3. TASKS

4. FEEDBACK

5. REFLECTION

LECTURES

INSTRUCTIONS

TASKS

During Week 1, we were required to watch stop motion shorts and shortlist 3 of our favourite stop motion shorts. Then, explain reasons being chosen based on their styles, art direction, character design etc. Include in Final Project blog.

THREE FAVOURITE STOP MOTIONS

#1 Lost & Found | Oscar Shortlisted Stop-Motion Animation | Short of the Week

Recommended by my younger sister, she said this was her favourite short film. Personally, I was captivated by the cinematography of this short film, and I found the characters and storyline to be incredibly charming and endearing. "Lost & Found" is a touching stop-motion short film that artfully blends themes of love and loss. Set in a charmingly crafted world, the story follows a determined dinosaur on a mission to save his fox companion from danger. The film's masterful use of music and sound effects guides viewers through a rollercoaster of emotions, from joy to sorrow. The transition from a happy beginning to a poignant ending is executed seamlessly, drawing viewers deeper into the narrative. The choice to depict the dinosaur's body as yarn adds a unique visual element and serves as a metaphor for the fragility of love. Overall, "Lost & Found" is a captivating exploration of the power of compassion and companionship.

#2 Stop-Motion Animated Short Film "Archie" | Archie and his pet dog go on a long journey.

"Archie" is a touching stop-motion animated short film depicting the journey of a boy and his faithful dog. Their adventure unfolds amidst captivating landscapes and intricate animation, highlighting themes of friendship and exploration. What I particularly loved about "Archie" was its ability to evoke a sense of wonder and connection. The bond between Archie and his dog resonated deeply with me, reminding me of the joy of companionship and the beauty of shared experiences. Moreover, the inclusion of stunning hand-drawn drawings and exquisite lighting further enhanced the film's visual allure, adding depth and beauty to every scene. The hand-drawn illustrations lent a unique and artistic touch to the storytelling, while the carefully crafted lighting heightened the atmosphere, creating a sense of warmth and enchantment. Together, these visual elements contributed to the film's overall charm, making "Archie" a truly mesmerizing experience.

#3 妹妹 SISTER | Oscar-Nominated Stop-Motion Animation by Siqi Song

This short film talks about the author's sister. It relates to family dynamics, sisterhood, and personal growth. But in the end, the plot twist, is that he was actually alone and never had a sister.

CLASS PRACTICE

Before we have to start our actual project, Mr Martin divided us into two groups from our previous group for our shooting project. I was divided into group 1A. We were required to practice shooting for stop motion, we referred the videos from the given file— clay stop motion and paper stop motion. We prepared the items used for the practice by using clay and drawing, cutting the paper out. Then, we got the uploaded images placed in Google drive: The Cost of the Call & Adopt Don't Shop)

Fig P3.1 filming process

I placed the images and adjusted their sizes due to the initial messiness, as this is our first time practicing the shoot. Then, made adjustments on the lighting and colour.

Fig P3.2 The Cost of the Call shooting practice

Fig P3.3 Adopt Don't Shop shooting practice

FINAL STOP MOTION

For our final project, I partnered with Teo Mei Hui. Before we started brainstorming ideas and creating the storyboard, we searched for inspiration on YouTube and XHS. We found several videos that captured our interest due to their cuteness and simplicity, as well as their ability to convey straightforward meanings through actions. We decided that our final stop-motion video should have a simplistic look, featuring a plain background and using clay mixed in muted color tones to create a cute and cozy vibe.

Fig T3.1 Inspirations, Week 13 (19/07/2024)

COMING UP WITH A STORY

During one of our usual conversations, we came up with the idea of creating an animated stop-motion film that evokes either a happy or touching feeling in viewers. Initially, we focused on themes of friendship, then family, and finally settled on the theme of sibling love. Then, we came up with the idea of a misunderstanding between two siblings. The title of our stop motion video would be 'heartstrings of sisterhood'.

SYNOPSIS

In a cozy home, two adorable sisters, portrayed as bears, embark on a touching journey of sibling love and understanding. The story begins with the older sister(Stacy) happily playing with her cherished bunny plushie. However, when the younger sister (Jessica) enters and snatches the toy away, it sparks a moment of jealousy and tears for the older sibling. Jessica revels in her playful victory, leaving Stacy feeling hurt. Seeking solace, Stacy runs outside to the backyard, where she encounters her dog, who playfully bounces a ball towards her. This unexpected interaction lifts her spirits, and she returns home feeling better. Upon returning to the house, she discovers a heartfelt drawing from Jessica, depicting them both holding the plushie together. Realizing it was all a misunderstanding, Stacy embraces her sibling in a warm hug, symbolizing the unbreakable bond of family and the power of empathy and forgiveness. This one-minute stop-motion film captures the essence of sibling love through charming characters and a poignant narrative, all set within the comforting environment of their shared home.

Fig T3.2 Storyboard, Week 14 (23/07/2024 - 24/07/2024)

PROCESS

During the process of making the clay, we decided on a color theme and mixed the colors accordingly. We opted for more muted tones by adjusting the saturation, rather than using very solid colors. As for shooting, we used the mobile application 'Stop Motion Studio'.

Fig T3.3 Colour Inspiration, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Fig T3.4 Clay process, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Fig T3.5 Clay and shooting process, Week 14 (25/07/2024)

POST-PRODUCTION

After that, we exported the images into Google Drive. Mei Hui was in charge of finding the sound effects while I got my younger sister to help me voice over and search for the background music. Then, I added the audios to be applied in the video to the Drive.

Fig T3.6 Audios, Week 14 (26/07/2024)

Fig T3.7 Exported Images/clips (221), Week 14 (26/07/2024)

Fig T3.8 Sound Effects, Voiceovers & Background Music, Week 14 (25/07/2024)

We created a team project in Adobe Premier Pro and initially thought we could edit in real-time together. However, this didn't work out as planned, so we had to individually edit and then publish our work. Mei Hui arranged all the clipsPOST-PRODUCTION and adjusted the timing, eliminating some extra shots to meet the time limit. Meanwhile, I handled the sound effects, voiceovers, and background music, as well as editing the volume and pitch. We also faced challenges, such as losing all the images and having to locate and reinsert them.

Fig T3.9 Adobe Premier Pro process, Week 15 (02/08/2024)

Fig T3.10 Final Project Proposal, Week 15 (04/08/2024)

Google Drive here.

FINAL STOP MOTION VIDEO

Watch 'HEARTSTRINGS OF SISITERHOOD' by Emily Goh Jin Yee & Teo Mei Hui here.

Fig T3.11 Heartstrings of Sisterhood stop motion video, Week 15 (04/08/2024)

FEEDBACK

WEEK 11

General Feedback

Stop motion video can focus on any theme

Specific Feedback

WEEK 12

General Feedback

Specific Feedback

Catch up with your progress
Proposal must be done already

WEEK 13

General Feedback

Specific Feedback

REFLECTION

Experience

This project was indeed a great experience. Although we were initially late in coming up with an idea, it didn't affect our progress. Mei Hui and I shared similar thought processes, which helped us complete the project smoothly and successfully. We had a lot of fun working together. Our teamwork was excellent, and we consistently helped and taught each other throughout the process. Using clay as the medium for this task brought back nostalgic memories of playing with clay and playdough as a child. The story also reminded me of the misunderstandings I sometimes have with my siblings. We would often fight over small things like toys or who got the bigger slice of cake, but whenever something good happened, they would always think of me and share. These moments of conflict and subsequent reconciliation taught me the true meaning of familial love and the unspoken bond that we share. This project reminded me to always appreciate these little moments because, as we grow older, the opportunities to create such memories become rarer. The busy pace of adult life often distances us from these simple, yet profound experiences. Reflecting on this, I realize how important it is to cherish the times we spend with our loved ones and to hold onto the lessons learned from these childhood interactions. It underscores the value of empathy, understanding, and the joy of sharing, which are the pillars of any strong relationship.