About the Challenge
The Next Level Stop Motion Challenge is a competition for children ages 5-10 years to explore the world of animation using resources and tools that are right within the confines of their homes. Some may be doing this for the first time. Others might want to try it as a way to develop their skills further. We’re doing this simultaneously with our GAN 2021 Virtual Digital Summer Camp – “Next Level“.
This animation challenge opens to all children aged 5 to 10 years residing across Guyana, South America on Saturday August 7, 2021 and will close for entries at 12pm EST on Sunday August 22, 2021. We will announce our winners on Saturday August 28, 2021.
Entries will be judged during the week of our Next Level Virtual Summer Camp by a panel of judges, made up of professional animators and the participants of the Camp’s Animation Course.
How to participate
To begin, download and read our Everyday Objects in Motion resource to get acquainted with the simple process of stop animation. Once you have made a simple film using the resource, you are ready to take on the Next Level Stop Motion Challenge. You can then fill the entry form and submit your film.
What can I animate?
Theme:
Animating objects around us is one way that we can take the simple, lifeless things found around us to the Next Level. How? By bringing them to life and making a movie!
Look around you. Any object that can be moved can be used to make a stop motion. You can use toys or figurines, household objects, sweets, stationery, or even food. Objects or puppets are moved and filmed frame by frame to simulate movement.
Story:
Once you have decided what you are going to animate, you should think about the story you want to tell. Your animation should be no longer than one minute, so it is important that your story is simple but also creative. You can add dialogue, sound effects, and music to your animation.
It’s quite simple. Stop motion animation can be thought of as just a series of still photographs. Start by placing an object in front of a camera and snap a photo. Then move the object a tiny bit and snap another photo. Repeat this process twenty to ten thousand times, play back the sequence in rapid progression, and the object appears to move fluidly across the screen.
Key Skills
- Stop Motion Animation
- Storytelling
- Animation Principles
- Teamwork
- Self Expression
- Creative Thinking
- Logical Thinking
- Video/film making
How to Enter
To enter, please complete the entry form. You will then be instructed to upload the stop motion animation. Submissions can be made by a parent/guardian, teacher or other adult on behalf of a child.
Eligibility
- Participants must be aged between 5 and 10 years and residing in Guyana at the time of entering
- Your stop motion animation should be no longer than one minute in duration (including any titles and credits)
- Only animations fitting the description of and utilizing the stop motion technique will be accepted
- Any music, images and video content from a third party should be cleared for use by the copyright holder
Prizes
- Polaroid Camera
- Wireless Headphones
- Tablet
Judging Criteria
Judges will consider the following criteria to make their selection:
- Creativity- creative use of characters, materials and sets to bring the story to life
- Originality – ideas that are unique and original
- Story/Concept- the story is engaging and captures the viewers’ attention
- Execution/Technique – frames taken and assembled well to give the illusion of seamless movement