What do we do in the zoetrope workshop?
Each participant creates their own animation strip for a zoetrope. Through this hands-on activity, participants gain insight into the technical foundations of film and experience how a zoetrope works by experimenting themselves. They can not only see their completed animation in motion but also track their progress step by step. At the end, they present their animations to each other.
Explanation of a paper strip with animation (in German)
What is a zoetrope?
The zoetrope is a primitive optical device, which was invented around 1834, before the film was. It brings cartoon figures on a paper stripe to life as if by magic. It shows simple repetitive movements of one second such as walking, waving, hopping, opening and closing etc..
How a zoetrope works (in German)
A flexible system with four modules
Each module can take place individually on one or more days or in combination over several days to cover different focal points.
Module 1 is the basis of all modules. Each participant creates one-second animations of repetitive movements on a paper strip. He tests and presents his animation on historical optical devices such as a zoetrope or praxinoscope.
Open a pdf-file in German and take a look at the steps of module 1. Ask me for an English version, please.
In module 2, we make a zoetrope.
In module 3, participants draw or model their animation on a disc, such as cork or vinyl, and bring it to life using strobe lights to showcase the animation in motion.
In module 4, we work on presenting the animations with music and sounds and produce a short animated film.
At the end of a workshop we present the results on the optical devices.
Open a pdf-file to get more details of all moduls in German. Ask me for an English version, please.
Public presentation of the results
The workshop results can be shown to all participants, teachers and guests on one or two optical devices or on film. Depending on the scope of the workshop, the animations can be presented to specially created music.
See a few clips of the results.
After a six-day or several-week workshop the results can be presented to the public in an impressive way as an audiovisual performance called The Spinning Animation Show.
The Spinning Animation Show 2015
Watch several final presentations of the Spinning Animation shows on Vimeo and see how we did them.
Learning objectives
In my Zoetrope Workshop, I combine artistic expression, technical knowledge, and social skills into a unique learning experience. Participants not only gain specialized expertise but also develop practical, methodological, social, and personal competencies.
Through hands-on work, they learn:
- how individual images create motion,
- to design a short, one-second action from a cinematic perspective,
- to express their ideas clearly and visually on paper,
- to apply the storytelling tools of animation,
- why mathematics and physics play a crucial role in animation and
- to master the many steps involved in producing an animated film.
The workshop also teaches essential learning and work techniques, such as:
- targeted discussions and tracing methods to improve efficiency,
- planning their animated film through previsualization,
- solving problems with creative ideas, and developing media skills.
Social skills are equally important. Participants will learn:
Communication Skills:
- to communicate ideas clearly, actively listen, ask questions, formulate arguments, and discuss constructively.
Teamwork Skills: (when working in pairs)
- to compromise, interact respectfully, and build mutual trust.
Empathy:
- to create believable characters and consider different perspectives.
Critique Skills:
- to accept feedback, ask follow-up questions, reflect critically, and remain solution-oriented.
Conflict Resolution, along with independent work, commitment, and creativity, complete the skillset.
In this workshop, we combine technical skills with social competencies, creating a holistic learning experience.
Excerpt of an animation lesson (in German)
Making-of film about the workshop (engl. subtitle)
