Video Animation Kit Stopmotion Explosion

Have you ever visited a kid’s YouTube channel?  It seems a great deal children, teenagers namely, are quite savvy video producers, amazing videos no less! Super Hero’s a fan of many such channels that’s why I know about them. Some of their videos are quite impressive, especially coming from someone of such young age.   Inspired by them perhaps, Super Hero had been asking me to teach him how to do videos. That’s when opportunity knocked.

The Video Animation Kit

Stopmotion Explosion sent us an Animation Kit to produce our very own animations. Included in the package were the software, the book with instructions, and a webcam. Short of the actual computer, that’s all that is needed to produce the videos. Well, aside from the “actors” of course: the legos or other such toys or props. Since I received the kit for free, retail value $79, I am now to post my unbiased and thorough review.

What’s This About?

Stopmotion Explosion’s animation kit is straight forward, easy to use, and quite fun.  The book contains simple instructions on everything the child needs to get started.  Super Hero arranged the set up all by himself,  When I arrived to our homeschooling table after lunch one day, I found him shooting his scenes already.  How nice!  I didn’t have to assist him with anything technical  –software installation, webcam setup, not a thing!   That ought to tell you how approachable this video animation kit really is.  My only intervention was pointing out he needed to be aware of the stage, its background, and surroundings. I helped beautify it a bit. The way he had it looked a bit … ahem … messy. (Not that we ever have a messy homeschooling room, right? Yeah, right! 😉  )

He mounted a few settings with different lego sets. The book instructed him on the importance of good lighting. Thus he wanted to shoot only when there was plenty of sunlight coming in. He did get a chance to work controlling the lighting, and even had to scrap a few of his takes because of it.  The window blinders were casting uneven shadows into his stage, which made it unattractive and hard to distinguish characters on the screen.   Despite the scrapping of takes because of the lighting and messy surroundings, it was an excellent exercise in video shooting. Being mindful of elements like these helps him not just with the animation videos now, but in general for future photographs and other live videos.

When putting together his final video animation, he decided to use one of the scenes with the uneven lighting after all. Here’s his masterpiece:

Though the kit came with its own webcam, we ended up using our own. Theirs seemed to have trouble focusing, or perhaps it was just our own setup.  I’m sure I could have tweaked it more, but since we did have a decent webcam already we just switched it, and on Super Hero went filming.

What’s Our Opinion?

Stopmotion Explosion offers upper elementary children and older, such a friendly way to produce cute animations. Super Hero’s animations may look simple and unsophisticated now, after all he’s only getting started. Yet, I’m positive that as he practices more he’ll be able to produce niftier films.  Stopmotion Explosion has allowed a good start and a first step in the right direction. As we move forward into this world of the Internet, technology, and especially the YouTube trend, it’s hardly impossible not to consider videos important.  I’m glad he’s had the chance to get his feet wet producing animations with his precious lego sets.  I’m confident he will continue to advance his skills with Stopmotion Explosion, There’s still much more in the book for him to tinker with. Some effects and advanced features have been a bit beyond what he wanted to tackle at the moment.  I’m sure that a high schooler, or even a middle schooler, would find those facets quite easy to follow.

If You’d Like to Try It

If you’d like to give this animation kit a try,  please visit Stopmotion Explosion’s at their social media sites.  You can also read many more reviews from my fellow Crew members. It’d no doubt be helpful to learn their experiences as well.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Stopmotion-Explosion-104732269687187

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/stopmoexplosion

Disclaimer

I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was i compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.