Puppet animation with Dragonframe

What is the course about?

You will learn how to plan and storyboard an effective animation sequence, design and create a 2D cut out puppet using a range of materials and film and edit an animated sequence. With step by step guidance you will learn about filming your animation using the professional application Dragon Frame, focusing on character, timing and movement. You will composite your animated character in Premiere Pro and edit your sequence adding sound effects and music. The film you create will be an invaluable part of your animation showreel and an exciting addition to your social media profile.

What will we cover?

- Pre-planning /storyboarding
- Character designing
- Puppet making
- Animating and acting out your puppet using a DSLR camera and Dragon Frame.
- Importing clips into Premiere
- Adding sound and music
- Understanding the appropriate format and codec for social media.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Storyboard a short sequence
- Create an engaging 2D cut out articulated puppet
- Animate and understand frames, timing and movement
- Film your animation using a DSLR camera and Dragon Frame
- Import clips into Premiere Pro and add sound and music
- Select and export your work using the appropriate format and codec.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is for beginners who have had no experience in animation, for those who might want to polish up their animation and puppet making skills and for those who those who have done digital animation and would like to develop the traditional skills of making and animating a puppet …..there is a big difference and a lot to learn.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

These practical workshops will be taught by a professional animator, puppet maker and director. You will be taught with guidance throughout, demonstrations, practical exercises, group and individual assistance and hand-outs. You will be introduced to professional sample clips and actual professional TV Stop-Frame Puppets.
Please note the City Lit uses Apple Mac computers in Digital arts, Film and Animation.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Our high definition cameras and the latest professional equipment and software are available for your use throughout the course. It would be useful to bring a memory stick or portable hard drive – please note PC formatted hard drives can be read by Apple mac computers, but not written to.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You can develop your practice further by a range of short courses in Digital and Traditional Animation including Stop Motion courses and digital animation courses using After Effects, Animate, photoshop and Blender. We offer a long course in Animation VK413 City Lit Animation for those who wish to commit to their animation practice. You can also develop your moving image work through City Lit courses in Experimental, Documentary and Narrative Film Making and Editing.