Creating The Gumbo Gang Animations

Principles of Animation

1. Squash and Stretch
2. Anticipation
3. Staging
4. Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose
5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action
6. Slow In and Slow Out
7. Exaggeration
8. Solid Drawing
9. Appeal

 Sqaush and Stretch

This image illustrates Anticipation, Arcs, Timing, and Secondary Action

Staging

Pull up the Photoshop file for “Tail Wag”

Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose

Another Example of Timing and Tweening

Slow In and Slow Out

33News Open

Exxxxxaaaageration

Appeal

Solid Drawing Example:

http://gumbogang.com/funzone/creating-animations/

Animation Resources:

Hippo Animation : https://www.hippani.com

Animatron : https://www.animatron.com/

Blender : https://www.blender.org/download/

Google Web Designer : https://www.google.com/webdesigner/

Boy Scout Worksheets

Animation Merit Badge Worksheet : http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/worksheets/Animation.pdf

Download the Flipbook : https://boyslifeorg.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/flipbook.pdf

If you have any questions, please call David Blazier at (225) 803-9560 or email davidblazier@gmail.com.

NOTE: You should review the Interactive Animation Workbook at https://www.inkling.com/read/. Use the login information below to access the ebook, or you can download the Inkling App at the iTunes App Store or on Google Play. This will allow you to read the ebook on any mobile device!

• Go to https://www.inkling.com/read/
• Choose the “Log in” option and use the credentials below
• Username: davidblazier@gmail.com
• Password: Troop97!

Once logged in, click the “Animation iMBP” icon at the bottom of the page. This will open the ebook.

Brief Overview of the Course

What is Animation? Learn all you need to know in Chapter 1.

The History of Animation is included in Chapter 2 of the Animation iMBP

The Principles of Animation are contained in Chapter 3 of the ebook, plus there are additional resources at the Boy’s Life Animation Merit Badge page. NOTE: You will have to choose 5 of the 12 principles to discuss how they make animation more believable!

The animation projects

Ideas for creating an animation project:

The project required for this merit badge is to PLAN YOUR ANIMATION using sketches and/or layout drawings, then CREATE THE ANIMATION. The projects can vary from drawing out a simple flipbook, to creating an animated web banner using software, to creating stop-action animation using Lego characters. As long as the project includes two animation techniques covered in classes or the ebooks, (sketching, layouts, scene planning, 2d, 3d, mechanical, flipbook, etc) and displays a knowledge of the principles of animation, you are encouraged to be as creative as you want!

Here are some resources to help inspire you:

Flipbook Animations

• You can download and print the flipbook PDF file from Boy’s Life page: https://boyslifeorg.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/flipbook.pdf. This only requires you cutting the images out and stapling them together.
• You may even want to simply take a deck of Post-it notes and begin drawing your animation!
• Want to go the extra mile? Here are some very cool examples of a flip book : http://www.creativebloq.com/illustration/flip-book-animations-12121459
• Below are some videos that illustrate how cool you can make your flip book:

2D and 3D Animation Software

If you want to get a little ambitious, download the free trials of a couple of good 2D programs. I use both of these. There is a little bit of a learning curve, but you will have lots of fun! Remember, the animations DO NOT HAVE TO BE FANCY!!! They just need to demonstrate you have an idea of the principles of animation. Have fun!

• Animatron is an easy web-based program that allows you to create key frames to perform both simple and complex animations. It is ideal for a beginner who has a bit of time to test a variety of methods. Download a trial at https://www.animatron.com.
• Hippani is another great animation program used for creating both simple and complex animations for websites and apps. You can even make scalable interactive games and presentations. Download a trial copy at https://www.hippani.com/.
• PowToon is cool, not so difficult, and there are a lot of tutorials. The free version does not let you download your creation, so make sure you send me a link to your animation: davidblazier@gmail.com.
• Blender is a very cool 3D animation program. I don’t suggest you try to learn 3d animation to create the project for this merit badge, but if you discover you like animating, go get Blender and start learnin’!

Badge Requirements

General knowledge. Do the following:

1. In your own words, describe to your counselor what animation is.
2. Discuss with your counselor a brief history of animation.

1. Principles of animation. Choose five of the following 12 principles of animation, and discuss how each one makes an animation appear more believable: squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, straight-ahead action and pose to pose, follow through and overlapping action, slow in and slow out, arcs, secondary action,timing, exaggeration, solid drawing, appeal.

2. Projects. With your counselor’s approval, choose two animation techniques and do the following for each:

   1. Plan your animation using thumbnail sketches and/or layout drawings.

   2. Create the animation.

   3. Share your animations with your counselor. Explain how you created each one, and discuss any improvements that could be made.

3. Animation in our world. Do the following:

   1. Tour an animation studio or a business where animation is used, either in person, via video, or via the Internet. Share what you have learned with your counselor.

   2. Discuss with your counselor how animation might be used in the future to make your life more enjoyable and productive.

4. Careers. Learn about three career opportunities in animation. Pick one and find out about the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss your findings with your counselor. Explain why this profession might interest you.

35778
ISBN 978-0-8395-0063-6
©2015 Boy Scouts of America
2015 Digital Version
SKU 622017