The Animation Project for Seniors 2023

September 5th & 7th | 6pm-8pm | Online

1) September 5th @ 6pm-8pm:
Digital Literacy + Me

Materials + Equipment Needed: A device to host Zoom and a smartphone.

This workshop is all about getting comfortable with a virtual community and environment.  We will explore different platforms, terminology, and file-sharing spaces.  We will also review best practices for photo and video capturing on a smartphone.

2) September 7th @ 6 pm-8 pm: DIY At Home Studio Setups

Materials + Equipment Needed: A device to host Zoom, a smartphone, something to hold your device in place (tripod, selfie stick, mount, stack of books, cardboard box, edge of a desk etc.) tape.

Learn how to make your own tripod or set up a reliable studio space at home for photography or animation! Join us as we discuss studio equipment like lighting, camera, and tripods/mounts.  As well as DIY solutions for at-home studio spaces on a budget.

September 12th, 14th, 19th + 21st @ 6pm-8pm | Online

1) September 12th @ 6pm-8pm: Introduction to Frame by Frame Art Making (Online)

Materials + Equipment Needed: A device to host Zoom, paper, scissors, tape, markers/pencil, a straw, chopstick, skewer or stick.

We will begin to explore the wonderful world of Stop Motion Animation in this introductory workshop.  Covering the history, terminology and basics of this diverse and unique medium where the possibilities are endless.

2) September 14th @ 6pm-8pm: Animation Principles 1 (Online)

Materials + Equipment Needed: A device to host Zoom, a smartphone with the free Stop Motion Studio app and something to hold your device in place (tripod, selfie stick, mount, stack of books, cardboard box, edge of a desk etc.) tape and some found objects.

In this workshop, we will focus on some foundational elements of animation and dive into “Stop Motion Studio”, a free animation app available across most platforms.

3) September 19th @ 6pm-8pm: Animation Principles 2 (Online)

Materials + Equipment Needed: A device to host Zoom, a smartphone with the free Stop Motion Studio app and something to hold your device in place (tripod, selfie stick, mount, stack of books, cardboard box, edge of desk etc.) Found objects, craft supplies, and or clay.

Timing and spacing are fundamental principles when it comes to animation.  In this class we will uncover how these principles work and their importance when it comes to realistic animation.  Additionally, we will begin to discover creative animated transitions.

4) September 21st @ 6pm-8pm: Animation Principles 3 (Online)

Materials + Equipment Needed:  A device to host Zoom, a smartphone with the free Stop Motion Studio app and something to hold your device in place (tripod, selfie stick, mount, stack of books, cardboard box, edge of a desk etc.) Found objects, craft supplies, and or clay.

No matter what type of animation you are interested in, understanding the 12 principles of animation will help elevate your skills by creating smooth, engaging and interesting movements.  Through discussion and practice, we will discover what the principles are, and how they work together.

September 26th, 28th, October 3rd + 5th @ 6pm-8pm | Online | Max 20 participants

1) September 26th @ 6pm-8pm: Deconstructing Stories (Online)

To become better storytellers first, we must understand what different types of story structures are out there.  In this class, we will explore different narrative/non-narrative storytelling formats.

Materials + Equipment Needed:  A device to host Zoom, paper and pen/pencil.

2) September 28th @ 6pm-8pm: Creative Writing (Online)

This class is all about going beyond traditional storytelling and diving into creative writing that includes spoken word/performance, and poetry, all through a stream-of-consciousness point of view.  This workshop will help get your creative ideas flowing and practice various brainstorming techniques.

Materials + Equipment Needed:  A device to host Zoom, paper and pen/pencil.

3) October 3rd @ 6pm-8pm: Visual Storytelling (Online)

The most powerful and impactful stories are often our most personal ones.  Together through discussion, we will share our cultural, and historical stories to expand our communication skills and understand different perspectives.  We will then explore how language can connect to colour, texture, movement and composition and help drive our visual stories forward.

Materials + Equipment Needed:  A device to host Zoom, paper and pen/pencil.

4) October 5th @ 6pm-8pm: Storyboarding (Online)

In this workshop, we will be joined by an animation industry professional storyboard artist who will share the ins and outs of what makes a good storyboard.

Materials + Equipment Needed:  A device to host Zoom, paper and pen/pencil.

October 14th, 21st, 28th, 31st + November 2nd  | Hybrid

All in-person workshops in this module will be at TAIS (1411 Dufferin St Unit B, Toronto, ON M6H 4C7)

1) October 14th @1pm-5pm : Natural Materials (In-person)
Exploring the gathering and animating rituals of Phytograms, a technique where natural materials are used to process film and create tactical moving layered images.  In this workshop we will begin by gathering natural materials from the outdoors, to then create our very own experimental film strips.

All equipment and materials will be provided.

2) October 21st @1pm-5pm: Paper puppets (In-person)
In this workshop, we will review the different types of paper puppets and learn how to make our very own, which we will later bring to life through stop-motion animation.

All equipment and materials will be provided.

3) October 28th @1pm-5pm: Pixilation (In-person)
Join us for this Halloween-themed workshop where we will expand our exploration of Pixilation (an animated technique where human beings become the life-size characters of the stories) and learn how to animate on a large scale to incorporate full-body movements while interacting with props and background elements.  Participants will build their own backgrounds and then direct collaborative animated sequences.

All equipment and materials will be provided.

4) October 31st @ 6pm-8pm: Claymation (Online)
In this spooky workshop edition, we will be diving into the magical world of claymation.  Bringing clay shapes and colours to life through stop motion animation and various animated transitions.

Equipment + Materials Needed: A device to host Zoom, a smartphone with the free Stop Motion Studio app and something to hold your device in place (tripod, selfie stick, mount, stack of books, cardboard box, edge of a desk etc.) clay, sculpting knives, tape and background paper.

5) November 2nd @ 6pm-8pm: Clay characters (Online)
Continuing with our exploration of clay, we will discuss clay characters and all that goes into building your own clay puppet ready for animation.  Participants will have an opportunity to make their very own clay-based figures and characters.

Equipment + Materials Needed: A device to host Zoom, clay, tape, glue, scissors, sculpting knives, wire or pipe cleaners, craft supplies and fabric.

November 7th + 9th | Online

1) November 7th @ 6pm-8pm: Hand Drawn Animation (Online)
Through a hands-on approach, in this workshop, we will explore different animation techniques using pen, pencil and erasers.  Participants have the opportunity to create their very own expanded flipbooks and animated sequences using hand-drawn techniques.

Equipment + Materials Needed: A device to host Zoom, a smartphone with the free Stop Motion Studio app and something to hold your device in place (tripod, selfie stick, mount, stack of books, cardboard box, edge of a desk etc.) a stack of paper, pencil, pen, eraser, or charcoal and tape.

2) November 9th @ 6pm-8pm: Frame by Frame Painting (Online)
Continuing our exploration of drawing techniques, we will practice and discuss paint as a medium to animate with.  We will cover various techniques such as; paint on glass, cell painting and how colour is used to tell stories.  Discover which approach you to connect with most!

Equipment + Materials Needed: A device to host Zoom, a smartphone with the free Stop Motion Studio app and something to hold your device in place (tripod, selfie stick, mount, stack of books, cardboard box, edge of a desk etc.) paper, paint, paint brushes, acetate or an empty picture frame.

November 14th + 16th  | Online

1) November 14th @ 6pm-8pm: Sound for animation 1 (Online)
Music plays an important role in storytelling, especially in animation.  In this workshop we will dive into the use of sound in various animations, and how to capture tone, mood, and pace when pairing movement with sound.

Equipment + Materials Needed: A device to host Zoom.

2) November 16th @ 6pm-8pm: Sound for animation 2 (Online)
Sound effects are used to further engage audiences with animation and storytelling.  In this workshop, we will explore how sound effects are used to highlight movement in animation, and how to source or create your very own.

Equipment + Materials Needed: A device to host Zoom, a smartphone and found objects.

November 21st + 23rd | Hybrid | Max 20 participants for online | Drop in style for closing workshop

1) November 21st @ 6pm-8pm: Animating outside the box (Online)
In this class, we will discuss and explore the many unconventional materials, objects and techniques used within animation that go beyond traditional mediums used in frame-by-frame art making.  We will cover items like light painting, powder animation, felt, 3D printing and even sewing as potential animating tools.

Equipment + Materials Needed: A device to host Zoom, a smartphone with the free Stop Motion Studio app and something to hold your device in place (tripod, selfie stick, mount, stack of books, cardboard box, edge of a desk etc.) unconventional materials or objects that spark curiosity on how you would bring them to life.  Think yarn, felt, jewelry, metals, clothing etc. The world is your oyster!

2) November 23rd  @ 6pm-8pm: Sand Animation + Closing (In person)
For our last workshop, we will be gathering for a drop-in style format workshop covering sand animation.  Participants will have an opportunity to explore sand animation and its many meditative and experimental properties through their very own sequences.  This will also be an opportunity for all participants across all modules to come together as a form of reflection and community building to wrap up our program.  Work created throughout the project will be on display and snacks and light refreshments will be served.  So come out and help us celebrate the closing of The Animation Project 2023.