Explosions, high-speed car races, animated fruits, chubby cats, gold heists, herds of sheep, a wooden camel and saxophones, all were subjects of the creative stop-motion animated films made by the eight participants in the art camp held recently at the Salmon Arm Art Centre.
The camp was led by Nikki Webber, who has a BA in fine arts in animation.
Over the four-day camp, eight youths between the ages of 11 and 15 developed characters and a story, built their own sets, filmed, edited, added sound effects and credits.
“They had to do the whole thing and choose a still for their movie poster,”says art gallery curator Tracey Kutschker. “And they had to make all their own sets and props.”
“Truthfully, I have had wonderful students – they’re all very gifted kids who brought a lot of energy and really unique ideas, and every one of them worked really hard to make them a reality,” raves Webber. “I am very proud of all of them and Libby Olson who was my assistant.”
Olson had some pieces in the recent youth exhibition and is heading to film school at Capilano College.
Two of Webber’s students pleaded with her to do it again – something that appeals to her very much.
“I knew some of the kids from Family Saturdays,” Webber said Thursday. “They came in with their stories ready and were obviously eager to learn about stop-motion animation, which obviously warmed my heart and will show in their films.”