Instructions+for+Paper+Cut+Outs+and+Collage+Animation


 * __Animation Tutorial: Paper Cut-Outs__ **


 * Cut-out animation is a technique for producing animations using flat characters, props and backgrounds cut from materials such as paper, card, stiff fabric, magazines or even photographs. To make cut-out animations, you will need characters which have articulated joints. In this tutorial you will learn how hinge your cut-out puppets. You will also learn how to go about shooting cut-out animation once your characters and backgrounds are ready. **

//** Making Cut-Out Puppets **//


 * You will need: **
 * ** Card paper **
 * ** Thin wire **
 * ** Cardboard **
 * ** coloured construction paper **
 * ** scissors **
 * ** white glue **
 * ** markers **
 * ** magazines **
 * ** newspapers **


 * Paper Cut-Out puppets can be as simple or as complicated as you would like them to be. You can draw the puppets on a piece of thick card paper with markers. **


 * Think about which parts of the puppet you would like to move when drawing the puppet on the cardboard. Make sure to draw each moveable part separately and to leave enough room for the joint to be attached safely without risk of it tearing with use. **


 * Once you’re done drawing, colouring and pasting your puppet’s parts carefully cut them with scissors. **


 * Make your puppets background using construction paper, cardboard, scissors and glue. Make sure to leave enough space so your characters can move around. A small puppet will be easily ruined, and a big puppet might be too large to show on the camera. **


 * We are now ready to hinge the puppet(s). Using a scissor as a guide, make a little hole in the parts of the puppet which will be mobile, and stick a butterfly pin in both parts of the puppet so it becomes mobile. **


 * [[image:pup1.JPG width="400" height="769"]] || [[image:pup2.JPG width="400" height="768"]] ||
 * [[image:pup3.JPG width="400" height="767"]] || [[image:pup4.JPG width="480" height="357"]] ||

//** __How to set up your shooting rig for Cut-out animations__ **//


 * Ideally, when shooting cut-out puppets, you want to have your background and puppets facing upwards on a flat surface. We have a special camera stand here in school which we will use to set up your shots. You will need two lamps to illuminate your camera set-up, as well as a USB webcam which we will attach to the top of the camera stand, facing down. **


 * [[image:desk1.JPG width="720" height="537" caption="An ideal setup with a camera stand and Toki Line Test"]] ||
 * [[image:desk2.JPG width="720" height="537" caption="The camera stand is above an overhead projector, so that it can capture a large portion of the animation on the table."]] ||
 * [[image:desk3.JPG width="720" height="963" caption="The USB camera is taped to the upper portion of the camera stand."]] ||
 * [[image:des4.JPG width="720" height="537" caption="The puppets seen from the animator's point of view while working. The blue background can be used for Chroma Key."]] ||