Stop Motion Animation of Falling

This project taught me the importance of keeping an eye on your props and camera. The first time I shot this it was outside. However, due to my neglectance, I didn't realize that the camera was moving all over the place, even with the tripod. This was probably because of the uneven asphalt it was on. On top of that, the person who was helping me kept getting in the shot, and I didn't notice until I went to compile everything. I had to reshoot the whole thing, and with rain forecasted, I decided to forego the setting outdoors and go for a more controlled environment. At the end, I couldn't completely avoid camera shake, but this pass is a lot better than my first one. I also feel the last fall isn't quite timed right, but given how difficult it is to manage the wire this is as close as I could get. In the end though this was a fun project.

Script, Boards, and Reference for Basic Animation

Script

Set on bench outside house

Shot 1

Medium shot. Bird1 sitting on edge of bench on stage right. Its singing a happy tune.
Bird1 is interrupted by an angry bird cry.

Shot 2

Close-up shot. Bird1 is turning towards the noise.

Shot 3

Medium shot. Bird2 barrels into Bird1 from above, knocking it off the bench.

Shot 4

Long shot. Bird1 falls to the ground while Bird2 remains stationary in shot.

Props

• Two bird figures

Sound clips

• Steller's jay calls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaxK5z56kQk

Software used

• Adobe Animate
• Adobe Media Encoder

Hardware Used

• Canon EOS digital camera
• Tripod

Tracker Video Analysis

I find the y axis particularly interesting.

Shooting Video Reference

Would have preferred to use a bigger ball but it was either this or a massive yoga ball.