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.
Each participant creates an animation strip for a zoetrope and thus produces their own short animated film.
Through this hands-on activity, participants gain insight into the technical foundations of film and learn the production process of an animated film. With the zoetrope they can not only see their completed animation in motion but also track their progress step by step by experimenting themselves. At the end, they present their animations to each other.
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.
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.
Watch several final presentations of the Spinning Animation shows on Vimeo and see how we did them.
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 of paper, cardboard or vinyl and bring it to life using strobe lights to show 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.
Each module is offered either individually on one or more days or in combination over several days.
Open a pdf-file to get more details of all moduls in German. Ask me for an English version, please.
How does a zoetrope work? (English subtitle)
Explanation of a paper strip with animation (English subtitle)
See some clips of the results of the
Caricatura Gallery – Summer Academy 2024 in Kassel
The participants of a zoetrope workshop
present the results in a ‘The Spinning Animation Show’
as part of the Federal Prizewinners Academy
of the “Jugend creativ” competition in 2015.
You can take part in my zoetrope workshop in Kassel or use my contact form bellow to book me for a workshop in your city.
Advertising trailer of my next zoetrope workshop.
Visit our next presentation.
The zoetrope workshop combines 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:
In this workshop, we combine technical skills with social competencies, creating a holistic learning experience.
The minimum duration of the zoetrope workshop is five hours with up to 15 participants. Usually, each person manages to create at least one animation strips in this duration. For more than 15 participants, a workshop duration of at least six hours is required. This is the only way to guarantee personalised advice for each participant.
Read my experience reports about my past zoetrope workshops.
Watch a report by the Bavarian Broadcast TV (in German) about an extraordinary Zoetrope workshop focussing on the history of my hometown Straubing and the final presentation, the so-called The Spinning History.
Report by the Hessian Broadcast TV about a workshop at the city museum of Kassel (in German)
Take a look at my upcoming events.
Extract from an animation lesson
that took place as part of a zoetrope workshop
at FOSBOS Straubing in 2018
Making-of film about the zoetrope workshop
at the Scheersberg summer academy 2015
for the national winners of the
‘Jugend creativ’ competition (English subtitles)
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)
Each participant creates an animation strip for a zoetrope and thus produces their own short animated film.
Through this hands-on activity, participants gain insight into the technical foundations of film and learn the production process of an animated film. With the zoetrope they can not only see their completed animation in motion but also track their progress step by step by experimenting themselves. At the end, they present their animations to each other.
Explanation of a paper strip with animation (in German)
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 of paper, cardboard or vinyl and bring it to life using strobe lights to show 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.
Each module is offered either individually on one or more days or in combination over several days.
Open a pdf-file to get more details of all moduls in German. Ask me for an English version, please.
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.
The zoetrope workshop combines 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:
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)
You can take part in my zoetrope workshop in Kassel or use my contact form bellow to book me for a workshop in your city.
Advertising trailer of my next zoetrope workshop.
Visit our next presentation.
The minimum duration of the zoetrope workshop is five hours with up to 15 participants. Usually, each person manages to create at least one animation strips in this duration. For more than 15 participants, a workshop duration of at least six hours is required. This is the only way to guarantee personalised advice for each participant.
Read my experience reports about my past zoetrope workshops.
Watch a report by the Bavarian Broadcast TV (in German) about an extraordinary Zoetrope workshop focussing on the history of my hometown Straubing and the final presentation, the so-called The Spinning History.
Report by the Hessian Broadcast TV about a workshop at the city museum of Kassel (in German)
Take a look at my upcoming events.
If you have any questions or consider booking me, please contact me: