Ecology: Frame after Frame. Laboratory of Documentary Animation for Children Aged 13 to 15

The class is aimed at introducing members and tutors of the laboratory to each other. Participants will learn some basic facts about animation, including popular techniques, methods, and tools, and will try to invent and animate their first fictional character, thus creating customized “business cards” using the medium. of cartoon.

Members of the laboratory will visit and discuss the exhibitionThe Coming World: Ecology as the New Politics 2030–2100, get acquainted with ecology experts who will curate their research projects, learn the meaning of the notion “eco system” and how it functions. The tutors will begin introducing the young audience to the technique of object animation.

The participants start working on the documentary cartoon, as the tutors explain some of the key stages, such as writing a script, making a shot by shot breakdown, and structuring the production process.

The third session will concentrate on editing animation after the filming process is over. Participants will also learn voice-over recording techniques and how to apply visual and sound effects—before discussing the results of the first research stage together with the tutors.

The teachers will introduce the group to the category of Anthropocene, discuss selected artworks on display at the exhibition The Coming World, and create sketches for the next animation piece dedicated to the impact of human beings on the planet Earth and its inhabitants.

Together with the tutors, the participants will put down a script for the future film and work on a detailed, shot-by-shot breakdown—along with learning the key principles of sand and collage animation. Using both of these techniques, the young directors will demonstrate the evolution of geological processes and the influence of human civilization on it.

Course participants will edit, add a voice-over and various effects to the video sequence recorded during the previous session. Each member will have the chance to try for themselves all of the post-production processes.

What is a “carbon footprint”? The group will learn what it means and how a person can significantly reduce carbon emissions into the environment. 

The future cartoon film will display the emergence of the carbon footprint using the visual language of puppet animation. The tutors will explain how to implement montage as a creative tool, and an animation puppet as an actor.

The participants will continue editing, working on the voice-over, and adding special visual and audio effects to their picture. To complete the course, they will organize a premiere screening of the documentary film for parents, friends, and teachers, and will discuss the achievements of their research together.