Mar Lee students become digital animators

Five iPods have temporarily transformed the Mar Lee art classroom into an animation studio. Working in teams, 7th-grade students assemble hand-drawn sets populated by old toys, cutouts, and other found objects. Their digital magic turns these humble materials into amusing stop frame animated commercials.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Calhoun County Arts Council, art teacher Michele MacInnes was able to purchase the iPods and animation software in late January. “I’m always trying to find new ways to improve the art program,” said MacInnes. “iPods are a tool that kids are familiar with and find fun to use, and animation teaches many neglected aspects of art such as sound, motion, and lighting.”

Students have enjoyed the project. “The most fun part was being able to make the set,” said student Erika Martinez. Her group’s drama is about the adventures of “Ducc Tape,” a colorful bird made of scraps of duct tape.

Another commerical is about a construction worker and a hobo named “Little Bill.” “His old home gets destroyed, and then a new one appears,” said student Colten Persons. The hardest part? “Keeping everything you don’t want out of the frame,” said Persons.

Students have also learned how difficult the animator’s job is. “It’s tedious work,” said student Maria Ruedisueli. “I don’t know if I could take it all day!”

MacInnes looks forward to using animation more frequently. “Projects like this connect with so many important language skills,” she said. “Students are reading, writing while thinking about a story line, characters, narrative, and dialog. It’s an amazing and complex creative event.”

Here is one of the commercials the students created.