GooRoo Animation

GooRoo Animation workshops teach students how to create their own movies in a range of animation techniques. The participants will get a behind the scenes glimpse of what goes into producing animation on a professional level. They will then learn how to bring their own characters to life using the Stop Motion Studio app available on mobile devices. The finished videos will be screened to the group and uploaded to YouTube via the GooRoo Animation Workshops channel to be shared with friends and family.

For Teachers/Schools: Animation is a versatile activity, suitable for art, English or STEM classrooms. It requires problem solving, collaboration and creativity. The workshops will develop these skills and many more, providing the knowledge and inspiration to start making movies either at home or school. Information can be provided to teachers about how to continue the animation program after our workshop.
For Libraries/OSHC/vacation care providers: Animation is a perfect school holiday activity, as it keeps kids engaged in learning throughout the break with an enjoyable and creative exercise. Kids will come away with a movie to show their parents at the end of the day, and a new hobby they can pursue during their time away from school. The workshops are in high demand during the school holidays so book early to avoid disappointment.
For parents looking to host an animation party: Animation is great for parties too! We can take the workshops anywhere, so can turn your home into an animation studio, or host the party at any other venue you are able to provide. As family budgets are often less than a library or OSHC, a discounted rate of $350 is available for parties. However they may only be booked on weekends throughout the school term, not during the school holidays.

Workshop Facilitator:
Currently the workshops are run by Cameron Edser. Since helping to establish the workshop program in 2013, he has run hundreds of workshops all around South Australia, providing thousands of children with the opportunity to become animators. Along with his GooRoo buddy Michael Richards, he has been animating since he was a kid so he can’t help but share in the excitement of his students. His lifetime of film making experience gives him a wealth of knowledge, which he is passionate about sharing with the next generation of animators.

	Space and Equipment Requirements: All the equipment and materials will be provided. All that is required from your end is a room or space at least the size of a typical classroom with tables and chairs. A hall, gym, or art room would be ideal. We will setup a projector so will need something to project onto, either a screen, whiteboard or near white wall.
	Times, Age Limits and Group Sizes: The workshops are flexible and can be tailored to suit most schedules and situations. Below is a guide to each workshop activity. Most activities have a max group size of 30. The times and age limits are negotiable. Please contact us with your specific requirements and we will do our best to accommodate.
	Pricing: Click here for pricing details
	Contact: Email: workshops@goorooanimation.com Phone: Cameron on 0400 034 692

Claymation is our most popular workshop and recommended as the ideal activity to run initially. The workshop consists of a theoretical component, where participants learn about the different types of animation, watch GooRoo's film Animal Instincts and learn about how it was made. They will then create their own clay characters and animate them using the Stop Motion Studio app, before watching their films at the end of the session.

Duration: 3-4 hours (for a shorter claymation exercise see "Clay Plays" below)

Setup/Pack up/Reset time: 3 hours setup / 1 hour pack up / 30 min reset between sessions

Recommended Age: 5+ (best suited for ages 8-13)

Group Size: 30 max (Ideally 15-20 participants)

Further Info: See our Claymation Workshops video or our profile on TV show Totally Wild

Promo Pack: Download this file to promote your Claymation Workshop event.
--____________It includes images and a description of the activity: Claymation.zip

Lego is as popular now as it ever has been. With all the blockbuster Lego films coming out, kids can't wait to make their own. This workshop is highly practical and hands on, but if run over 3+ hours we'll also include plenty of theory and movie watching to analyse and learn from. We provide a huge range of Lego sets and colourful themed backdrops to suit all interests, but kids are also welcome to bring in their favourites from home.

Duration: 2-4 hours

Setup/Pack up/Reset time: 3 hours setup / 1 hour pack up / 30 min reset between sessions

Recommended Age: 5+ (best suited for ages 8-13)

Group Size: 30 max (Ideally 15-20 participants)

Examples: Lego Animation

Promo Pack: Download this file to promote your Lego Animation Workshop event.
--____________It includes images and a description of the activity: Lego.zip

The Mixed Media Animation workshop is a highly creative exercise with limitless potential. Using a chalkboard as the backdrop and an assortment of craft materials as animation tools, participants will create their own 2D stop motion animation, captured with the Stop Motion Studio app. The mobile devices will be setup on stands looking down at the table so the extra height can be an issue for smaller children if low tables aren't available. This workshop is best done by a group that has already completed a claymation or Lego animation workshop but it can also be run individually.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Setup/Pack up/Reset time: 2.5 hours setup / 1 hour pack up / 30 min reset between sessions

Recommended Age: 7+ (best suited for ages 8-13)

Group Size: 30 max (Ideally 15-20 participants)

Examples: Mixed Media Animation

Promo Pack: Download this file to promote your Mixed Media Animation Workshop event.
--____________It includes images and a description of the activity: Mixed_Media.zip

Using whiteboards is a quick and easy way to create 2D animation, and works great as a basic introduction to the technique. Participants will create their own drawn animated sequence, captured with the Stop Motion Studio app. The mobile devices will be setup on stands looking down at the table so the extra height can be an issue for smaller children if low tables aren't available. This workshop is best done by a group that has already completed a claymation or Lego animation workshop but it can also be run individually.

Duration: 2 hours

Setup/Pack up/Reset time: 2.5 hours setup / 1 hour pack up / 30 min reset between sessions

Recommended Age: 7+ (best suited for ages 8-13)

Group Size: 30 max (Ideally 10 participants. There is a max of 10 whiteboards and mobile devices to setup. It is more suited to working individually on each whiteboard but small groups can also work)

Examples: Whiteboard Animation

Promo Pack: Download this file to promote your Whiteboard Animation Workshop event.
--____________It includes images and a description of the activity: Whiteboard.zip

Pixilation workshops are great for active kids that want to star in their own movies. Participants will animate themselves doing extraordinary things like going through walls, sliding around on one leg or even flying. It is an ideal workshop if you are low on time or want to fit in multiple sessions in a day, as it takes less time than every other workshop to setup and pack up. A large space, preferably outside is required, so it is better suited to warmer months. We won't schedule any Pixilation workshops in the July holidays to avoid being washed out.

Duration: 1.5-2 hours

Setup/Pack up/Reset time: 1 hour setup / 30 mins pack up / 15 mins reset between sessions

Recommended Age: 5+

Group Size: 30 max (Ideally 10-20 participants. Larger groups will require extra supervision.)

Examples: Pixilation

Promo Pack: Download this file to promote your Pixilation Workshop event.
--____________It includes images and a description of the activity: Pixilation.zip

Flipbooks are a great way to demonstrate the basic principles of animation. Participants will witness first hand how flipbooks produce "persistence of vision" and learn how this optical illusion makes all animation possible. They'll use small notepads as the perfect canvas for their mini artwork and head home with not just a flipbook, but also a video produced by photographing each page on the Stop Motion Studio app.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Setup/Pack up/Reset time: 2 hour setup / 45 mins pack up / 15 mins reset between sessions

Recommended Age: 7+ (best suited ages 10+ as it requires more patience)

Group Size: 30 max (Ideally 15-20 participants)

Examples: Flipbooks

Promo Pack: Download this file to promote your Flipbook Workshop event.
--____________It includes images and a description of the activity: Flipbooks.zip

Skittles Animation workshops are a fun way to get kids excited about animation. It demonstrates that animation can be done with anything. This exercise is essentially whiteboard animation with the addition of skittles. Each participant will get a packet of skittles to use in their animation any way they can imagine, combining the skittles with some drawn animation to create a unique result. They must wait until the end of the session to eat their skittles so it is also a challenging exercise in patience and self control. This activity is best suited for a school holiday program or as a treat at the end of a series of other animation workshops.

Duration: 2 hours

Setup/Pack up/Reset time: 2.5 hours setup / 1 hour pack up / 30 min reset between sessions

Recommended Age: 7+ (best suited for ages 8-13)

Group Size: 30 max (Ideally 10 participants. There is a max of 10 whiteboards and mobile devices to setup. It is more suited to working individually on each whiteboard but small groups can also work)

Examples: Skittles Animation

Promo Pack: Download this file to promote your Skittles Animation Workshop event.
--____________It includes images and a description of the activity: Skittles.zip

The Clay Plays workshop is a condensed version of the Claymation workshop. Participants get straight to the animating rather than each making a clay character. They start with balls of clay that are rolled, squished, moved and moulded into new creations in front of the camera. They will capture all the action along the way with the Stop Motion Studio app to see these clay balls magically morph and evolve all by themselves. The finished videos will be screened to the group and uploaded to YouTube via the GooRoo Animation Workshops channel to be shared with friends and family.

Duration: 1.5-2.5 hours

Setup/Pack up/Reset time: 2.5 hours setup / 1 hour pack up / 30 min reset between sessions

Recommended Age: 5+ (best suited for ages 8-13)

Group Size: 30 max (Ideally 15-20 participants)

Examples: Clay Plays

Promo Pack: Download this file to promote your Clay Plays Workshop event.
--____________It includes images and a description of the activity: Clay_Plays.zip

This series of 4 Advanced Stop Motion Workshops is best done following a Claymation Workshop as a course of 5 sessions with the same group of participants, perhaps over a week or 1 day per week for 5 weeks. Each Advanced Stop Motion session has its own theme so can be done individually but will assume the prior knowledge and skills gained in an introductory Claymation or Lego Animation Workshop. It is also helpful (but not essential) to accompany the course with a purchase of our Claymation Starter Kit for all participants, so that homework tasks can be set throughout. A discounted group price of $35+gst/participant is available. This course is ideal for schools looking to delve deeper into Stop Motion Animation.

Duration: 2-4 hours each workshop

Setup/Pack up time: 2.5 hours setup / 1 hour pack up each workshop.
Or if done on consecutive days then just 1.5 hours is needed between each workshop.

Recommended Age: 8+ (best suited for ages 10-15)

Group Size: 30 max (Ideally 10-20 participants)

Promo Pack: Download this file to promote your Stop Motion Workshop event.
--____________It includes images and a description of the activities: Advanced_Stop_Motion.zip

Workshop 1: Set Construction
In this workshop, we'll take a close look at the set making that was done for GooRoo's film "My Neighbourhood Has Been Overrun by Baboons". Participants will then create their own props from the materials provided and decorate their backdrops before creating a short animated film using their creations. Set construction is a craft that takes time and practice to master, but with a few basic skills and knowledge of which materials to choose, the production design of films can dramatically improve.

Workshop 2: Cinematography
This workshop will cover lighting, composition and camera movement. Participants will break down GooRoo's film "Animal Instincts" to discover how to create dynamic moving camera shots like tracks, pedestals, whip pans and zollys. They will then practice creating their own moving shots using custom made motion camera rigs that are easy to replicate and build at home with a few basic materials. These advanced camera techniques open the door to exciting film making possibilities.

Workshop 3: Special Effects
This workshop will look at how to create a green screen, choose an appropriate backdrop, overlay explosions or other effects on videos and remove wires or unwanted rigging. All these tools are possible in the Stop Motion Studio app but require some key knowledge and skills for them to work effectively. Participants will learn these skills with the aid of GooRoo’s film “Animal Instincts”, which is packed with special effects that can be broken down and analysed. They will then practice these techniques with the creation of a green screen animation using Stikbots. Special Effects allow film makers to break away from the limitations of their physical set, providing the possibility of limitless story ideas.

Workshop 4: Story Development
In this workshop, we will discuss some valuable strategies to producing a great story, like brainstorming, script writing and storyboarding. Participants will look at when and where these strategies can work best by discussing how GooRoo Animation has used them to develop their film ideas. They will then apply these strategies to a collaborative project, each animating a small component of a longer story. These will be pieced together and presented as the final production for the course.