Friday, September 30, 2016
75 min. -
Photography:
Stop action film project -
I substituted for Mr. Kevin. Will worked on making brown clay for his dog character. He then started the sculpt of Marc the dog. We also worked on getting his hero (Tony) finished and ready for filming.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
01:30 - 02:30; 60 min.
Photography:
Stop action film project -
Will continued to work on his sculptures of Marc the dog, and his hero (Tony). We worked hard to get the two characters ready for filming. There is a lot to do for this process to continue. Will also took photos the birthday celebrations for Stephen, including the appreciation circle and cake.

Monday, September 26, 2016
10:45 - 12:00; 75 min. -
Photography:
Stop action film project -
I substituted for Mr. Kevin. Will worked on making brown clay for his dog character. He then started the sculpt of Marc the dog. We also worked on getting his hero (Tony) finished and ready for filming.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016
01:30 - 02:30; 60 min.-
Photography:
Stop action film project -
Will did a fantastic job making a shirt and a head for his lead actor, Tony. I gave Will the model of Marc (the dog) and he was pleased with his look. Will decided what species Marc will be and what color hair both our actors will have. Much of this class involved getting the clay in condition for sculpture, and blending colors to make skin color for Andy. He as very creative today and was quick to edit his ideas for the film, as he sees the actors come into form.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
01:30 - 02:30; 60 min.
Photography:
Stop action film project -
Today we used a manikin to be the skeleton of Tony (our hero). The manikin is a wooden model with movable joints. We used clay to make pants for Tony, and Will practiced how Tony will walk in the film. We also had Tony sit, in his new pants to make sure they fit properly. I explained to Will that a manikin (dogikin?) for Marc the dog has been ordered, as has brown and black clay. Will told me how he plans to add sound effects after the filming to enhance his film. He looks forward to showing the end product to the school. We covered Tony in plastic to keep the clay fresh, and put him away, and will start making his shirt next week. Homework: work on the dialogue for the final scene.

Tuesday, September 06, 2016
01:30 - 02:30; 60 min. -
Photography:
Stop action film project -
Will was reminded to work on the opening dialogue, and we discussed how this conversation between his stars need to establish that 1) Marc is a talking dog, 2) Marc is both a pet and best friend for Andy and 2) they are on their way to school. We took out some wire and clay to experiment how the stars should be created, and how the photo project will work. Will made decisions on how each character will be dressed (colors and styles), and experimented on the voices he may use for the characters. He also told me his plans for the music tract that will cover the final credits. Homework: Homework: write an opening script for his characters

Friday, September 02, 2016
09:45 - 10:00 15 min. -
Photography:
Stop action film project script-
I substituted for Mr. Kevin, the music teacher. During our short class time, we discussed the progress of the film project. I suggested Will start thinking about the dialogue between his two main characters (Marc and Jake) at the start of the story. This conversation should both introduce our heroes, show they are on their way to school, and establish that Marc is a talking dog. Will has some wonderful ideas. I also reminded him that a script is needed for the other scenes as well. Homework: write an opening script for his characters

Tuesday, August 30, 2016
01:30 - 02:30; 60 min. -
Photography:
Stop action film project -
Will and I watched a Claymation film made by another student at the Batt School, and some others on the Internet. We also watched a short film on how this technique was used in the original star wars. Will had completed his homework, and had a written plot line for his project. I asked him to describe the set for the opening sequence, and from there he identified all the sets he will need to create. He also had his characters well developed, with wardrobe designs and ‘character’ traits. We wrote the outline for the film project. Homework: start to think about the dialogue and effects he will want to use.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016
01:30 - 02:30; 60 min. -
Photography:
Getting Started -
Will showed me some photos he took at the boarding school he attended over the summer break. We had a detailed discussion on all the aspects of photography he conquered last year; including how to use and care for the camera, how to compose and frame a subject in a photograph, Photoshop and finally video work. Will decided he would like to continue with the Photoshop and video effects. He agreed to participate with documenting the school activities during the course of the year. Finally we agreed spend this semester working on a stop-action (possibly Claymation) film. Homework: choose a topic, a subject and a story for his short stop-action film.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016
1:45 - 2:45; 60 min.-
Photography:
Video project -
Will had to re-do his changes to the video, as they were not saved. He added some comical sound effects and a text slide to the end. He was unsatisfied with the overall story of his video, and we discussed how this was a project to introduce him to the software. Perhaps, we can make a video, of his own design, in the fall. We also talked about movies, and how they are made now, compared to the early days of Hollywood.