STOP-frame animation has helped Year 4 students at St Agatha’s School, Clayfield, showcase their Christian values to others through short films.
Through an innovative unit called Legomation students used stop-frame animation, which involved taking a series of still-camera shots while moving the items in the scene slightly between each photo, to construct a short narrative based on a selected Christian value – ranging from respect to compassion – they had previously studied.
From beginning to end, the Legomation unit required students to work collaboratively in groups of three and, once the characters and plot of the narrative had been established, a storyboard with additional brief descriptions was created.
In addition, resource lists, set designs and title and credits were constructed ready for filming.
The students used webcams connected to laptops and specially designed free software to film their stories.
Teachers Bettrys Lowe and Jeffrey Ross, who had some experience with the unit and the concept of stop-frame animation, said they, along with students, engaged with new technology and computer programs to produce the short films.
Throughout the unit several professionals were sourced to help students understand the relevance of the technology in the “real world”.
They also visited Brisbane-based marketing company Cutting Edge where students gained insight into the world of graphic design, editing, filming and reviewing to understand the use and effects of computer technology in everyday multimodal texts and the influence it had on society.
Professor Andy Sparks, from Griffith University’s Film School, visited the school and provided a unique and enthusiastic view of animation and its uses.
Ms Lowe said the unit culminated with a “Legomation Logies” event to showcase the short films to parents and friends.
She said more than 200 guests attended and praised the efforts of the students and teachers involved as each students received a certificate and DVD featuring all films screened during the awards.
“A surprise visit from two ‘Legomen’ concluded this spectacular evening,” she said.
Ms Lowe said overall, the unit enabled students to be leaders and collaborators, effective communicators and quality producers as they worked together to produce a range of short films aimed at their peers.
“The buzz in the classroom throughout Legomation sessions was just phenomenal and the teachers are already planning how to make the unit even more exciting next year, if that is even possible,” she said.
