Two-Frame Animation
Animations on TV and movies are usually created by showing thousands of images very rapidly. It takes a very long time to create such animations. But actually, you don’t need that many images to create a simple animation. With two-frame animation, you can quickly create animations and understand the principle by taking only two pictures!
Learn more about this simple technique and try creating your own animation with only two frames. We want to see what you come up with! Share your creations with us using the hashtags #StopMotion #TinkeringAtHome.
Materials
You only need to collect a few simple materials to try out making your own two-frame animations. Ideas for starting points to get set up for this activity are below.
Stop Motion Studio application. The free version of this application will let you quickly take and combine multiple photos into an animation.
Phone or tablet and something to hold it in place. Make a stand out of books, blocks, or LEGO to hold your device in place and make sure your images line up.
Everyday objects to animate. Consider animating kitchen utensils, shoes, toys, office supplies, and even fruits and vegetables!
Take Just Two Frames!
Look around your house and find an object that you want to animate. Decide what you’d like to happen between the first and second image. Here’s an example of a pin cushion with eyes, what emotion do you think it has? Surprised, awake, excited?
Stop Motion Studio
Ryoko shares some tips and tricks for getting started with using the Stop Motion Studio app. Learn more and see step-by-step instructions here: Getting Started with Stop Motion Studio.
Stabilize Your Camera
Ideas and Tips
Make an expressive face.
Use paper to make characters.
Animate household objects.
Make a moving mouth.
Create compelling narratives.
Use toys as characters in your story.
Play with size and scale.
Small changes can create a big impact.
Related Ideas
Two Page Flipbook
Make an analog two-frame animation with paper! Draw your two frames, then take your top page and wrap it around a pencil unil it curls. Then run your pencil up and down quickly, bringing your creation to life. Learn more about making two-page flipbooks →
Thaumatrope
Another take on the physical, two-frame animation is a thaumatrope. Create two images on opposite sides of a piece of paper (or two papers glued together). Mount it onto something like a pencil or a wooden dowel. Spin the creation by rubbing your hands back and forth.
Tinkering Library
We've selected a series of books that support playful learning and pair with tinkering activities, including explorations of animation. Visit our Tinkering Library to learn more about our favorite books to pair with animation.