How to Animate (How I Did It)

Let me provide you directions to make your own animation.  This description helps to show how much effort it takes to make each video.

 
This picture shows my animation in progress for my video "Dinosaur Attacks" in Windows Photos.

Supplies

Camera (regular or cellphone)
Charger & computer cord
Figure(s) to animate (Lego, clay, etc.)
Background or a blank wall
Computer
Computer software for animation (Like Windows Photos -using slideshow/video function)


Directions

  1. Make camera stand out of legos or use a tripod.
  2. Setup workspace and background. Set the scene.
  3. Place your figure in stating position and take 1 picture.
  4. Move the figure a little, itty-bitty bit but enough to tell it moved a little.
  5. Repeat the picture and movement process over and over again until you are satisfied with your pictures.
  6. Make sure not to move the camera.
  7. If your hand is accidentally in the picture, or anything else you don't want appears, delete it and retake the picture without any movement.
  8. Take camera off stand or tripod.
  9. Connect it to the computer.
  10. Create a new folder on the computer.
  11. Transfer pictures that were on the camera to the computer into the new folder.
  12. Open pictures in the computer software as a new video.  I use Windows Photos.
  13. Make each picture show for about 1/3 of a second.
  14. If you have an action that needs to be faster (like when my Lego dinosaur roared too slow) then decrease the time to 1/4 or 1/5 a second.
  15. If the action should be slower, then increase time to 1/2 second or the appropriate interval.
  16. After you think you've successfully made the right adjustment, you should watch the video.  Repeat adjustments as needed.
  17. Next, add music.  On my software, I choose from the supplied music, the best one that suits the video, exciting music for fast action, sad music for sad scenes.
  18. Finally, name your video.

Right now, I have to adjust the time for each picture individually.  I would like better software to update all the pictures at once.