Step Three: Students should first create sketches of their characters and sets. They will need to examine the storyboard and see if there are situations where they will need to create additional heads, eyes, or other features in order to make facial expressions on their characters. Plan the figures to include detachable parts. Note the eyes in the images below:

Students can begin sculpting characters and creating the sets. Since this is normally a group project, it is very important that all students are equal participants in every step of the creating process. There will be disagreements between students, but these must be resolved in a mature fashion as would be expected in the professional arena.

Sets:
A piece of poster board or presentation board is adequate for the background set. Students may use any type of art material to decorate the sets. Emphasize the importance of keeping the set simple so as not to compete with the action. Contrasting colors will help the figures stand out from the sets. The poster board can be folded into a three-panel screen. This is stable and adds a little depth of space to the overall image.

Props can be created from scratch or brought in from home. Trees are imitated by adding twigs to a lump of clay. Model cars work well when a car is needed for the set. Doll furniture is effective. Students should give some thought to the placement of the props so that they do not interfere with the photography and animators.

Be sure to remember the floor of the set. Covering the table with an appropriate colored cloth or paper can make a significant difference in the quality of the images.

Characters: Characters should be created with an armature underneath the clay. Students should be requested to create the armature before they begin using the clay. Figures made completely with clay tend to be too heavy and topple over besides the fact that they waste clay. Armatures can be made from wire and styrofoam balls or shapes. Armatures can also be wrapped with aluminum foil to decrease the amount of clay needed.

The most successful characters ranged from 4 to 7 inches tall. Most students tend to use animals or human characters. The wire armature should be used inside characters to give the sculptures added support. Animation clay becomes very supple when handled. The wire often controls unwanted drooping during the filming process.

The animation clay used for this project is very color intense and can be kneaded to create other colors. The primary colors, black and various skin tones are the only necessary colors. We use oil based modeling clays that do not harden. Be sure that the clay your purchase is non-hardening.

The level of detailing that can be achieved is amazing. Simple tools and techniques work very well. One additional piece of equipment that may be used is a garlic press for hair.

Remember that additional body parts should be the same size and color as the originals to ensure that they are "believable" when the photographs are put together.

All figures can be stored in individual shoeboxes or disposable plastic containers for safe-keeping until the project is complete.

USE YOUR IMAGINATION!!