Alien Movies - Planning Your Project
Your assignment is to create a short film using stop motion and chroma key technologies, using digital cameras, mini green screens, and alien sculptures you create in art with Mr. File. Here's what you need to do:
1. Select a theme.
2. Create a plan with your partner.
4. View some sample projects. Although this year's project is a little different, you can still get some ideas from projects made in past years. Pay attention to the form of the aliens (how they use their appendages to accomplish tasks), color (to see what shows up well and doesn't), additional props, movement, etc.
1. Select a theme.
- Alien Olympics
- Dancing in the Stars
- Alien vs. Food
2. Create a plan with your partner.
- What will your aliens do in your short film?
Alien Olympics - Aliens must compete in an athletic event or game (real or an alien creation).
Dancing in the Stars - Aliens will need to perform a dance routine for the judges. You may need to plan and construct carefully if your aliens need to hold or lift one another.
Alien vs. Food - Your aliens must be presented with a food challenge where they are either creating, catching or eating their food. - How will they move on screen?
- How will you design the body so it can do what you want? Will they need to hold something, push something, eat something?
- What additional props will you need? Anything other than model magic creations need to be discussed with Mr. File and
Mrs. Monahan before being filmed. You are welcome to create additional elements at home for the project but please discuss with us first before investing time and money. Quality of creations and scale will need to be considered.
- Be creative but remember that durability and stability are very important. Your alien must be able to stand on its own and maintain balance.
- AVOID USING ANY GREEN OR SHADE OF GREEN on your project. Deep, rich colors work best, which can only be achieved with patience and attention to detail. The more care you put into creating your alien the better your final product will be.
- Remember that movement on the ground will look best on film, as adding elements that float or fly will require blocks and wires that are often visible in the final product.
4. View some sample projects. Although this year's project is a little different, you can still get some ideas from projects made in past years. Pay attention to the form of the aliens (how they use their appendages to accomplish tasks), color (to see what shows up well and doesn't), additional props, movement, etc.