Project 365 day 300: Animating leaves

Today J and her PA started trialling some sequences for the pressed leaves animation. They are using a light box, and aiming for maybe a minute of stop motion (at 25 frames a second, this means 1500 photos). J is controlling the camera from the computer, with Dragonframe software. This is the industry standard stop motion software, used by studios such as Aardman and Laika to shoot such films as Chicken Run, Coraline and Shaun the Sheep, and although it's quite complex, it is excellent to use. She controls her computer using assistive technology, because she doesn't have much hand function: the small grid towards the bottom right is her switch control grid, with the scanning outlined in pink. She activates the scanning with a throat/voice activated switch. Her system allows her to do almost anything on the computer, though it's very slow and needs considerable patience and motivation. Her PA, provides the hands, moving the leaves on the light box. She has worked with J for about six years and understands her very well, and with a background in art and art therapy, she provides lots of encouragement and inspiration with projects of this kind - we are fortunate to have her, albeit only once a week.