Motion Workshop - Week One

This session taught us about the basics of stop motion graphics, how to begin making them and a little bit about the software used.  I found it particularly helpful as it taught me about the PAL specifications, how to convert images to meet these specifications and refreshed my memory about making stop motion in Quicktime.

Useful Information

PAL is a universal video system that is used in correspondence to a certain area.  For example, it cannot be used in the US.  This is what I will be working from in this project.

Here are the specifications:

• 720x576 pixels
• 25 frames per second

We also learnt about the 'Actions' tool bar in Photoshop.  This allows users to record a sequence that can be repeated at a click of a button.  Our task was to make one that is suitable for resizing 72 larger images to be used in a stop motion video.  This is our sequence, smartly named 'Resizing to PAL':

RECORD

Image --- Image Size --- [Width to 720 pixels]

File --- Save As --- Choose Folder --- Save --- Close

STOP

I decided to experiment with the 'Actions' tool, so I customised another sequence to be played after the resizing:

RECORD

Image --- Adjustments --- Black and White --- Add Tint

Filter --- Texture --- Grain

File --- Save As --- Choose Folder --- Save --- Close

STOP

Once our sequence was saved and in working order, we needed to repeat this with the other 71 photographs.  By using the 'batch' tool, this saved us a lot of time and effort in making this possible.  After making the destination folder empty to avoid complications, this is the route I took:

File --- Automate --- Batch

Select Action (Resizing to PAL)

Select Source (Original Images)

Choose Destination (None)

OK

In this case, the destination was already named in the sequence, so there was no need to change it.  As expected, a folder with all 72 images sized down to the PAL was ready to be converted into motion.

To do this, I simply opened Quicktime, and simply selected:

 File --- Open Image Sequence

I simply had to choose the first file in the folder, and determine how many frames per second.  The more fps, the quicker the video.  I selected 12 fps, which gave me a nice, rounded, 6 second motion.

I decided to experiment with the 'Actions' tool, so I customised another sequence to be played after the resizing:

RECORD

Image --- Adjustments --- Black and White --- Add Tint

Filter --- Texture --- Grain

File --- Save As --- Choose Folder --- Save --- Close

STOP