The Teachers' Animation Toolkit

Narrating a voice over or sound effects:
Select Narrate Timeline from the Tools menu. Plug in your mic 
and test the mic volume using the pop up VU meter. Adjust the 
input level to avoid distortion. Place the timeline cursor at the point 
in the edit where you want your narration to begin. (Note: The 
Start Narration button will ghost out if you place the cursor over 
an existing sound clip. If placed at the start of the timeline, it will 
overwrite an existing clip.) Name the fi le you have created. It will be 
placed on the timeline for you. Click Done. Adjust the volume level 
on the timeline if needed.

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Resources
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Titles and credits:
To add a title or credits click on
 
Titles or Credits in the Tools menu 
and follow the instructions in the pop-up wizard. Drag the title clip 
to the Title Overlay line if you wish to superimpose it over your live 
video.
Video transitions:
Open the Video Transitions menu from the Tools menu. Select 
the transition you want and drag it between two video clips on the 
timeline. It will appear in the Transition line on the timeline.
Video effects:
Open the Video Effects menu and drag your effect onto the 
desired video clip. Fade In, From Black and Fade Out, to Black are 
particularly useful. You can combine several effects on a single clip.
Exporting your edited fi lm:
Choose Save Movie File from the File Menu. Follow the instructions 
in the export wizard, according to the destination of your fi nished 
fi lm. You can choose between My Computer, Recordable CD, 
E-mail, The Web and DV Camera.

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The Teachers’ Animation Toolkit
PLANNING A PROJECT
There will be many creative and practical challenges involved in 
making even the simplest animated fi lm with your class. You will 
work in a team and all contributions are important. With animation 
there are many different skills. If you fi nd drawing very hard you 
could be an excellent model maker, a patient animator or an 
amazing sound artist. Give it all a go and see for yourself. The list 
below covers the main steps involved. Some are dependent on the 
style of production, and others on the time at your disposal.
The Mediabox website has an excellent set of guidance notes on 
producing and marketing a project: 
http://www.media-box.co.uk/support/guidelines