Whittier Elementary 5th Grade Animation

Whittier Elementary 5th Grade: Three Classes, Six Weeks,
Four Animations, and Loads of Laughter. The project aim was to create a sort of exquisite animation corpse, a surrealist mash-up of ideas, styles, characters, and sets, all designed by the Grade 5 classes. In weeks1-4, students created their lead clay characters Reggie Gigis, Diamond Girl, Redman, Waterman, Firetip, Mermaid T, and Gum Girl, as well as their sets Lava City, Nacho City, Rocker World, and Ugly City from clay, scraps, and found objects. Students filmed short animations with those characters and recorded voiceovers for the films during weeks 5-6. The ideas the classes invented were all super elaborate—intricate characters, sets, and storylines. The most interesting student requests for film requirements were guns, fights, battles, and shooting. All of the classes almost unanimously requested guns. I consistently asked why they felt it important to incorporate guns into their films—shrugs and eye rolls were the response. No one knew why, really, but knew from watching films, cartoons, and the news that guns were common day objects in those media.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Whittier Elementary
• 5th Grade
• Animation
• East Oakland
• VALA Project