Animation Week 3

Students started creating their bouncing ball animations in Photoshop. Probably wondering why Photoshop (PS) instead of jumping into Animate or another program. I decided that even though it is limited for animation software you can teach students to animate in 3 ways. The big plus was that I wanted students to feel like they had a frame of reference for when we do switch over to other software. I’ve found that once we start post-production students may struggle with it. Also I think I’ve gotten better a teaching it. That probably helps as well.

Working in a PC lab there is no iMovie. My students tend to lean towards apple products. Nothing wrong with that I’m all Mac at home. iMovie is very easy to use, but has limited features. Adobe Premiere is more robust and you can do so much more with the editing. I prefer it. Then when you want to switch to After Effects I think it helps starting with PS.

Students had to animate a bouncing ball based off of Preston Blair’s Animated Ball sequence. That is all over online. A dribbling ball, and then a ball animated anyway they like.  Tuesday students will start learning post-production in Premiere. I think it will take a week. Well worth taking the time to learn and then students will feel more confident using the software.  As far as audio is concerned I’m just going to teach them how to find audio. Later we can learn foley work. I ordered a Blue Yeti for myself. Probably use Audacity. We have audition, but the more I read reviews most Youtubers are using Audacity. It is good enough for Marques Brownlee. Love his tech reviews.

I also think there will always be some students that prefer animating over postproduction. I’m one of them. It isn’t my favorite thing worry about audio/titles/transition etc. I’m pretty tired from all the drawing that I feel like it was a sprint to get that done. Really is a marathon. I think it will be interesting to see which students excel in areas that I’m weak at. Then they can teach me a thing or two.