Unusual animation techniques – [Stratastencil]

I aim to analyse and combine unusual animation practice by experimenting, for this Project, with the Strata stencil stop motion techniques of animation. Inspired by the stratacut method, stratastencil, develop by Javan Ivey, is an additive process in which layers of stencils are combined to create an animated video. This technique was also imitated and regenerated on computer by Andersen M Studio, Bent studios and Met film production school.

Javan Ivey:

Advertisement and other productions imitating the strata stencil technique.

Andersen M Studio:

Bent studios:

Met film production school:

I intend to develop this practice further by first, analysing already existing productions in that field and define each step of the process. This development study will include combining other artistic practice to enhance this particular technique and using new digital composing technology intended to expend the design industry.

My initial innovation to this particular technique will be the breaking down of video footage into stills in order to design and compose a series of stencils use as the basis for the animation.

here is a screen capture of a previous test on the use of a green screen:

This is an example of what the photoshop file will like once the image sequence is exported from the video clip and the frame is added:

One layer.

All layers, a layer being a frame.

The next innovation will be the use of user-friendly CAD/CAM digital design technology tools, the vector graphic editor softwares Inkscape and ShopBot PartWorks that controls CNC and laser cutter devices.

Inkscape:

PartWorks:

Shopbot cutter machine:

Laser cutter machine:

laser_cutting_4d004fe6e391d epiloghelix24

Tutorial to get an idea on how to use this technology:

This equipment will facilitate the creation of the stencils but also help accelerate the construction of the shelving unit that enables the particular additive process employed during the shooting of the frames. I will attend to mainly use recycled material and already have initiate communications with some community resource and recycle centres.

First version of the shelf unit:

some of the sketches for modification ideas:

In that process I also intend to experiment with long exposure photography hoping to develop a smother transition between stencils and draft an interesting and more define visuals results.

Another addition to this technique is the attempt to include colour lighting to assist in the creation of different moods within the story line.

Here we can see an example of the long exposure technique I would like to readapt and experiment with, notice how the light diffuses through the stencil. with different spot light colours i hope to expose the stencils of my animation long enough to colour them during the shooting. very much like paint but with light:

Further on into the pre-production stage I will include the use of the Adobe editing suite to generate trail runs animated clips and test the functionality of the mediums added to this technique. I will test theses added features in after effect witch i believe will save time, depending on the results i will be able to determine if real life test are necessary and confirm the success of the intended effect.

Tutorials i have been looking at and i will use to build my test runs:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cameras+in+affter+effect

The process will include the following steps:

Design concept [pre-production]

– Story line

– Storyboard [animation]

– Storyboard [green screen]

– Artistic vector design [props and other add ons]

– Animatic

– Paper or material

– Shelf modification plans design.

– Cut shelf unit parts using CNC cutter

– Build shelf unit and test efficiency.

– Location

– Actors

– Confirm and secure source of recycled material.

– Experiment with long exposure photography and evaluation of results for efficiency.

– Create computer generated test run for colour lighting experiment [AE]

– Equipment [camera, computer, microphone, green screen, spot light, tripod]

Design production

– Filming actors [green screen]

– Breakdown of green screened video footage into still image sequence

– Combine stills with props and add ons

– Convert into vector graphic format

– Cut all stencils using laser cutter

– Capture of frames following specific process depending on experiment result with long exposure and colour lighting.

Design post-production

– Load and edit imagery

– Applying sound effects

– Music and other audio tracks and export to relevant format for publishing.

– Research for possible competitions or short film festivals participation.

Strata stencil animation inspired by strata cut animation:

Little insight on the installation set up for the technique:

Interestiiing…. stuffs:

http://webneel.com/cut-out-animation

http://what-when-how.com/non-traditional-animation-techniques/what-are-the-possibilities-non-traditional-animation-techniques-part-2/

Tutorial for the Ganttproject software i ll try to use it but so far to be honest its a lot of work and time to put in all information and set it up, lets see how effective it is:

….And so i…I should say that i am just starting but, the fact is that i never really stop. after troubling my mind with technical and material aspect, for which I mainly use internet, I also enjoy spending time online to find inspiration for the visual and aesthetic side of the production. beware I look at a lot of things taking every opportunity to discover new things. there is a lot but each will help, somehow….and so,I start…

http://www.culturainquieta.com/en/erotic/item/5425-the-heart-of-darkness-explicit-erotic-illustrations.html

http://www.culturainquieta.com/en/erotic/item/3374-vintage-erotic-pencil-drawings-by-mihaly-zichy-nsfw.html

http://www.culturainquieta.com/en/erotic/item/4956-the-surreal-and-vintage-photography-of-heinrich-heidersberger.html