FLASH - Lego Stop Motion

Grades 4-8 Learn to make a fabulous and fun Lego-based movie brick by brick. Students will use stop-motion animation techniques to create short movies and bring to life Legos. Imagination will flow as students design miniature sets and plan the action for their original movies. Lego people will star in student-created adventures, dramas, and comedies. Stories will be captured using digital cameras and composed using the iMovie program. music, text, dialogue, and special effects will all be utilized to tell fantastic stories.

CHALLENGE #1: INTRO MOVIE

• Make a short movie of a Lego figure walking out and introducing you.

• Have your figure say 3 things about you

• Your figure can be you or can simply introduce you

• ONLY use one figure and a base plate

• Minimum 25 pictures

• You must use all of the following: titles, voice recording, sound effects or music, and extended still with Ken Burns effect

Tips:

1) Have your figure fill the screen

2) Be aware of the background, use a wall or cardboard

Note: You may bring in one Lego Minifigure from home for this project. Please do not bring in any other Legos until you have completed both Challenge #1 and Challenge #2.

Organization:

1) Make a folder on the desktop of your computer with your name and period on it. Example "Alison 3".

2) Try to take all of your photos off of your camera each day. If you don't, you will need to remember what camera you were using.

3) Keep all of your legos in a numbered bin. Remember, no FLASH legos should leave the room. Thank you!

CHALLENGE #2: BUILD-UP OF A LETTER

• Make a small build up of the first letter of your name or your initials

• Have the pieces come out and form the letter

• Maximum 25 pieces

• Minimum 25 pictures

• You must use all of the following: titles, and sound effects or music

• You need to use your pictures forward and backward to have you letter built and taken down.

Tips:

1) Build the letter first and then plan out how it will come together

2) For a more advanced build up, have the Lego come out and then build the letter. You might want to slide the bricks on the baseplate rather than sticking them down each time.

Link to how to build Lego letters

CHALLENGE #3: MASTER BUILDER FREE CHOICE MOVIE

• Make a great movie of your choice

Tips:

1) Think of an idea that you are excited about

• Movie ideas include: short stories, commercials, spoofs, tributes, historical reenactments, music videos, advice segments, something being built or taken apart, a movie previews, video games, a scene from a famous movie, sports etc.

2) Plan out your story

• Storyboard or outline your story (Include your set design)

• Write out your dialogue, and put it all together in a script

3) Keep it simple

• Make sure your set, characters, and story are manageable

• Your movies should have a clear beginning, middle, and ending.

4) Guidelines

• Movies need to be “G” or “PG” and Summit Schools appropriate

• Think Pixar, Disney, PBS Kids etc.

• Lego guns are not allowed in movies

5) Crediting Sources

• If you use images or music that are not from iMovie, you must credit them at the end of your movie.

6) Think about your audience

• Top movies will be on display

• You will be able to take home copies of your movies.

• Students will see your movie, but so will parents, teachers, principals, and administrators. Make sure you create something you are proud to show.

• Entertain, amaze, make us laugh, tell an interesting story

Note 1: For Challenge #3 you may bring in Legos from home. Please keep them in a bag or box with your name on it.

Note 2: Please do not keep more than 2 of the Flash mini figures in your boxes.

Note 3: You may work alone or with a partner.

ADVANCED EDITING TECHNIQUES

• Map Animation

• Images

• Background Music (lowering volume)

• Picture in Picture

• Split Screen

• Green Screen

CHALLENGE #4: BASEPLATE ANIMATION

• Animate bricks on a baseplate

• This technique works great for creating video games.

• Other ideas are to spell something out, or show something like a flower or tree grow.

• The baseplate could be photographed on a flat surface or up against a wall.