Animation Model

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Lesson Plan Industry Sector
Arts, Media & Entertainment

Lesson Plan Originally Created By: Matthew Dills

Anticipation

Part of Unit: Animation Principles

Lesson Plan Overview / Details

Anticipation in animation is the movement that prepares the audience for a major action the character is about to perform. A classic example of this is the pitcher who is about to pitch a baseball, he first winds up and then releases the ball. The wind up is the anticipation to the throw that will follow.

In this lesson students will learn what anticipation is, how it is employed in effective animation, and how to incorporate anticipation into a simple stop motion animation that they will create.

Lesson Time

Anticipation in Animation
3 Hours

Standards

California Career and Technical Education Standards

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

Objectives and Goals

In this lesson students will learn about and demonstrate an understanding for the principle of animation Anticipation.

Activities in this Lesson

  • Classic Animation Example - Hooks / Set

    Begin the class with a classic film clip from the Nightmare Before Christmas. At the end of the film Jack Skellington is singing and dancing. As he dances around the grave yard he makes several dramatic poses going in one direction anticipating a quick movement in the opposite direction. Notice the last part of this 30 second clip after Jack grabs Santa Claus's hat, this is a great example of anticipation.

    The film clip should be playing on a loop as students enter the classroom. After the class has had an opportunity to view the clip pose the question-what is going on in this animation? Discuss the animated clip, steer the discussion of how the anticipation of an action helps an audiece understand the action which proceeds.

  • Discussion - Lecture

    Share with students the definition of Anticipation as it relates to animation.

    Anticipation –

    - A preliminary movement that precedes and moves in the opposite direction of the main action.

     - The beginning movement used to accentuate an object’s action by moving in the opposite direction of the main action.

    Anticipation prepares an audience for what is to come. A ball about to be thrown for example requires some amount of wind up by the pitcher. The wind up is an example of anticipation; the audience knows a ball will be thrown as soon as they see a pitcher winding up. The wind up prepares the audience for the action that will follow.

    Show the second clip of Bugs Bunny throwing a baseball. The act of throwing an object is a great example of anticipation. the wind up leading to the throw is the anticipation of the throw itself. The first move prepares the audience for the move that follows.

    Ask students again to describe the scene. How does the first move help sell the second one?

  • Activity #3 - Demo / Modeling

    To the side of the LCD projector instructor will have a simple stop motion set in place. A video camera with a live feed will be connected to the LCD projector. Instructor will demo the process of shooting a stop motion animated sequence with the emphasis on the anticipation of the move.

    The animation will consist of a simple clay figure smashing a clay ball on a table. The character will start the clip with his hands resting on the table, the character will lift one arm up, and after a 2 frame hold will smash his hand down on the clay ball on the table. The characters hand raising up and slightly holding is the anticipation of the smashing down which follows.

    After viewing the example performed by the instructor, students will complete there own animation..

  • Activity #4 - Guided Practice

    Students will be shown where to access the podcast on animating the simple figure. Students should watch the podcast in preperation for their own animation.

  • Activity #5 - Assessment

    After the students have watched the podcast the group will reconvene to discuss the information. The step by step process for animating the figure smashing the ball is as follows-

    -Make a simple figure out of Pipe Cleaner
    -Create very SIMPLE set using a flat space(table) and a neutral background.
    -Use found objects such as wood blocks to create a table for the puppet
    -Use a clay ball as a prop
    -Set up camera and frame grabber
    -Animate the sequence 

  • Activity #6 - Group Work

    Students will split into groups of two or three depending on the size of the class and the resources available. Students will animate their sequence similar to the example modeled by the teacher and demonstrated in the podcast. Animation will focus on the anticipation of the animation.

  • Activity #7 - Assessment

    On going, on the spot assessment will be the primary form of assessment during the project. By offering immediate feedback to student groups the animators will be able to make adjustments to their work on the fly and improve the quality of their animations.

    After each group/group member has completed their animation, an assessment of the animation will be made by the instructor and their peers. Critical feedback will be provided to each group member by both the instructor, peers, and through self assessment.

  • Activity #8 - Demo / Modeling

    After initial assessment has taken place students will be shown model examples of completed animations. I have included one example, feel free to show some of the best work form the students.

  • Activity #9 - Lab / Shop

    After students review model examples, students will then go back to their groups and reanimate as necesary. Students who completed a successful animation the first time should help students who are struggling with the concepts and production.

  • Review and Critique - Closure

    A class reel is assembled at the end of the project for viewing. The reel is projected on the screen via the LCD projector. The animation is critqued by the class based on the rubric which has been used throughout the process.

  • Activity #11 - Assessment
    • Ongoing observation of student progress will be the main form of assessment. The instructor, peers, and self assessment will take place throughout the duration of the project. All critical feedback will be based on an appropriate rubric.
    • A written analysis will be completed by each student about their own project.
    • Students will present the completed project on their individual computer screens for assessment by instructor and peers.
    • Students will write a brief description of the project and they will include information about how their animation demonstrated the principle of animation "Anticipation."

Assessment

Assessment Types:
Rubrics, Projects, Observations,

The primary form of assessment will be on the spot individual critique of the work in progress. Immediate feedback will allow students the opportunity to make adjustments on the fly to the work they are creating. Self and peer assessment will also play a major role in assessing the project. A final critique of the animation will be made at the end of the project.

  • Anticipation_Rubric[1].docx Anticipation_Rubric[1].docx [ Download ] null