Daz 3D Studio - Free figure animation software

Daz 3D Studio is a free, feature rich 3D figure design and 3D animation tool that enables anyone to create stunning digital imagery. This is the perfect tool to design unique digital art and animation using virtual people, animals, props, vehicles, accessories, environments and more. Simply select your subject and/or setting, arrange accessories, setup lighting, and begin creating beautiful artwork. This company makes their money by selling 3D models that others design. It has limitations in that it is designed primarily for characters, but is one of the easiest to learn.

The company that makes DAZ Studio also makes a relatively inexpensive and easy to learn 3-D application Carrara. The Carrara 3D Express version can be purchased at a student discount for $34.95 – this is an excellent choice for someone willing to spend a little money.

Posemaniacs - Figure drawing website

Can't attend a figure drawing class? Posemaniacs is a website designed to aid in figure drawing. The models are presented without skin, to show musculature. It has a nice feature called 30 second drawing, which changes the pose every 30 seconds. They also offer a free iPhone App with a similar features.

Audacity - Free audio editing and recording software

Audacity is free open source software for recording and editing sounds on both the Mac and PC. (Mac users can also use GarageBand, which comes on their computer for free. Audacity has more features, including multiple tracks, but requires more time to learn.) The Audacity website has a good tutorial page.

Celtx - Free scriptwriting software

Celtx is free scriptwriting software for both the Mac and PC. This software formats your script following the industry guidelines. The general rule is that one page of script equals about one minute of screen time if you follow the proper format.

Planning your animation project

Understand that a successful animation project requires a lot of advance planning. Creating an animation is a commitment to many hours of labor. The work can be an individual effort, but there are benefits to making it a team effort. See if you can work with others to create a winning entry.

The steps to making an animated short film:

• Brainstorm different story ideas
• Ask yourself, “Is this entertaining?”
• Does it have “a moral to the story?”

• Draw out rough sketches of characters and backgrounds. If you are doing a 3D project, do a search for pre-made models and backgrounds you can use.

• Write a script
• Make sure it has a beginning, middle and end.
• Create characters that are interesting
• Keep your story short. Three minutes or less is best.

• Storyboard
• Either sketch out each scene or use a software program like MovieStorm.
• Make sure you use Long Shots, Medium Shots and Close-Ups. Beginners often frame everything as a Long Shot.

• Record audio tracks
• Cast actors to create character voices (if needed).

• Compose or select music
• Music adds an important emotional dimension, make sure it fits and doesn’t distract.

• Create or find the right sound effects
• Sound effects include things like the sound of a ringing phone.
• Ambient noise from the environment, such as the sound of the room is very important.
• Foley is the sound made by the characters. This includes footsteps, objects being handled and the rustling of clothing.

• Mix all the audio tracks
• The audio track is typically completed first and then the animation is timed to fit it.

• Time out the action and the number of frames needed for each shot
• In video there are 30 frames a second.
• For claymation your should shoot 10 frames a second. One minute will equal 600 photos.

• Animate

• Edit

• Promote your work
• Submit it to a youth film festival.
• Upload it to YouTube.