Short course
Animation for Music Videos Short Course
Course description
Course overview
Explore frame-by-frame, stop motion, and playful techniques like weaving loops, strata-cut animation, and phenakistoscopes to learn the process of creating animations.
Each day combines hands-on activities with presentations on animation principles and the role of an animation director to produce a short music video or ‘visualiser’ using a mix of animation techniques.
The course will delve into a range of well-established techniques such as using analogue wooden lightboxes, the line testing equipment, as well as using computer programmes like Dragonframe to create work.
Learn to pitch ideas, plan production, edit in Adobe Premiere Pro, and promote your work.
No prior experience is needed—just creativity and curiosity, though students should be comfortable in using computers and phones to produce animations.
By the end, you’ll have a unique short music video or visualiser to share, and the skills to take on future music video commissions. The finished visualiser could be a powerful addition to your showreel - ideal for approaching animation production companies or securing commercial representation.
Who this course is for
This course is great for creatives eager to explore animation, music-lovers, and designers or animators aiming to step into the role of animation director.
It’s equally suited to complete beginners and experienced animators seeking to expand their skills and build up their creative portfolio, develop confidence in their style and director’s voice.
Level of experience: beginners
Key information
Topics covered
- Foundations of animation principles (both frame-by-frame and stop motion)
- An introduction to the commercial animation industry: pitching and producing music videos, working with bands/clients/manager as well as an agency
- Animation techniques: strata-cut (a form of claymation), weaving loops (frame by frame hand-drawn animation), phenakistoscope and pose-to-pose animation
- Editing skills on Adobe Premiere Pro
- Music video production skills: pitching, scheduling, breakdown of shots, style frames and promotion
- How to develop your unique style as an animation director
Learning outcomes
- Be able to identify the foundations of animation principles
- An understanding of the industry standard production pipeline of making a music video, from pitching to delivery and promotion
- Knowledge of how the role of an animation director works
- Use a range of experimental animation techniques, both stop motion and frame-by-frame, such as strata-cut, zoetropes and weaving loops
- Capture frames using animation software
- Editing skills: using Adobe Premiere Pro to composite your clips with music
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Please have the Stop Motion Studio app (free) downloaded on a smartphone
Recommended materials:
- Favourite drawing materials
- Laptop and/or tablet
- Adobe Premiere Pro on your laptop
Tutor
Sacha Beeley
Sacha Beeley is an animator, illustrator and director known for her playful work with her distinctive design, lively colour palette and natural comic timing. Inanimate objects come to life in unusual ways, and her characters are instantly recognisable with exaggerated proportions and relaxed, loose performances. Sacha has directed spots for MTV, Amazon, Adult Swim, Ted, Netflix and viral campaign work with Gillette Venus. Sacha’s vibrant, tongue-in-cheek style has earned her winning titles from the Shots Awards and the Creative Circle.
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