image from swiftfilm.com
On October 6, 1889, Thomas Edison showed the first motion picture. Why not have kids make their own films?
Materials:
- video camera
- action figures, dolls, or other toys with movable arms and legs
- other props to use with the toys (vehicles, furniture, etc.
- paper
- pencil
Directions:
- If you have access to a video camera, this can be an amazing activity for kids. It gives them a chance to be filmmakers and see firsthand the kind of work involved.
- Stop motion film making is what is used to create a kind of “live animation” style. Actual objects are moved just a little bit at a time and captured on video. When run together it makes it look like the actual object is moving.
- It will take lots of time, but you can get kids to create their own stop motion films. You may wish to have them “story board” their ideas first; that is, draw what they want to happen in their film.
- Then, kids will move a figure’s arm or leg just slightly and you will hit the record button on the video camera for just a second. Then immediately hit the pause button. Set up the next shot and continue.
- This will take practice before the timing is down right.
- Also, it may be necessary for the adult to work the camera simply because of the expense involved.
Note: this project obviously preceded digital cameras and phones. See how children can adapt this project with today’s technology.
Source(s): Toolbox Training book 100 Drama Activities for Kids (activity B10).
Check out the full October calendar. It includes floating holidays, specialty weeks, and specialty months.
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