Stephen Featherstone
Stephen Featherstone is an award-winning animator and a Senior Lecturer in Animation at UCA. He studied Film at Bristol University and Animation at UCA.
Ref: S1D37597
This course will introduce you to the fundamentals of drawn animation techniques and, by the end of the day, you will have created your own animated sequence that will link with those produced by the rest of the group to form a longer film that can be played on a continuous loop. The film will use morphing, a technique unique to animation, in which one image transforms into another in a seamless transition before your eyes.
This is a fun, practical activity that does not require previous experience of animation or strong drawing skills - although you should be ready to spend the day making lots of drawings! You will be creating an individual sequence from a series of simple hand-drawn frames in which you can explore personal ideas, set your own challenges and work at a pace you are comfortable with, but will be part of a group collaborating to create a longer film from the separate parts. It is recommended that you bring a smart phone so that you can test and review your animation as you progress.
The course will teach you about how animation works, and you will be able to use storyboarding, key frames and in-betweens and basic animation technology, so that you can continue to develop your skills at home if you choose to do so.
On this course the College will supply all of the materials including paper and drawing tools.
An object to draw that will be the basis of your animated sequence. This can be an ordinary household object such as a pair of scissors, a hand tool or a container of some kind. It is probably better to bring a couple of objects to choose from as, ideally, everyone will be drawing something different, so maybe one of your objects can be unusual or unique. Dont choose anything too complicated, as it will be the basis for a lot of drawings, or too simple, as you need to find features that you can animate.
A smartphone this will be handy as you can download a free stop-motion app that will be helpful on the day and can be used afterwards. If you do bring a phone, also bring your charger, and make sure you have plenty of memory space. If you want to download software in advance and try it out before you come, some good examples are Stop-Motion Studio (Apple iOS/Android) iMotion (Apple iOs) Stop-Motion (Android, iPad).
Also bring a USB stick or other external device (to store your films on).
Additional pencils and erasers, if you have them
Available from shop: Pencils Erasers
Student registration: 9.15am - 9.30am
Course teaching: 9.30am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.30am - 1pm
Lunch break: 1pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm
Teaching finishes: 5pm
*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options
Stephen Featherstone is an award-winning animator and a Senior Lecturer in Animation at UCA. He studied Film at Bristol University and Animation at UCA.
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