1. 1.Do I have to use Flash or Photoshop CS3?
   

No! We are not promoting any specific product.  However, both Heather and I have done this project individually in Flash before, so we are using that as our starting point.  Actually, you might notice that one of the segments in the Rotoball video (on the Rotowhat? page) was done by importing each frame into an earlier version of photoshop, and exporting them into Final Cut Pro. 

2. 2. Can we have sound?
   

The short answer is “no”.  The longer answer is that if  you put sound in, I will try my best to integrate it into the larger project where possible.  However, please be sure that any sound you include doesn’t ‘make or break’ your project, as it might not be there in the final version.

3. 3. Does my whole class have to participate?
   

No! This project is now open to any student who wants to try their hand at rotoscoping.  However, we recommend this as a group project for the younger kids.

4. What other programs can we use?

Adobe After Effects, if you have it, is a very powerful video compositing program that lends itself to rotoscoping- if you have some students with advanced video skills, it is an excellent alternative to Flash.

Wax is a free open-source video compositing program for PC.

Istopmotion is a relatively inexpensive mac program.

Although it may be a lot more work, you can use earlier versions of photoshop (or the free alternative Gimp).  You can use Quicktime Pro to export the movie frame by frame as an image sequence (be sure to create a new folder).  You can edit each frame individually and them import them back into your video editing program.

5. Where can I find good flash tutorials?

I’ve posted a few on the Resources page, but there are many to be found online.  

6. Will all submitted work be included?

This project is open for students in elementary through high school.  Work that is considered inappropriate for school or contains blatant abuses of copyrighted material, will  not be included.  In addition, if the submitted work does not fall within the project guidelines (as described on the Rotowhat page) it may not be included. However, if there is a problem with a specific piece, we will contact you. 

7. Isn’t this just a whole lot of tracing?

No!  Tracing is involved, students will be much more successful if you think of the video image as simply the template.  The possibilities of what you do with your filmed image once you bring it into your animating program are limitless. See the examples on the Resources page (especially Snack and Drink).

8. 8.Yeah, but its still very repetitive and a lot of work!
   

That’s not a question!  But yes, it can be, and here are my two solutions for classroom teachers:

1. 1.When students get tired of drawing the same thing over and over again, have them switch to work on other layers.   They can create and design rich and interesting world for their rotoscoped selves to inhabit.
   

2. 2.Take your time with this project!  This project is a great “background” activity.  Think about doing this project for five to ten minutes a day at the start or end of the period. In the beginning you’ll need to take a little more time to film the video and import it into flash.  Once the students have gotten rolling with the project (get it? Rotoball- rolling...? oh never mind...), stop, and work on other projects. You can give them a few minutes a day or take a break from other projects to work on the rotoscope project.  Often when students say “I’m finished”, they just need to do something else for a while.  Rotoscoping is a great way to keep the hand moving and the mind concentrated on a specific task.  Also, if you’re doing this for a video class in which you have group projects- this is a great activity for students when there are too many cooks at the pot on a given day.  I plan on starting in November and finishing in March. 
   

9. 9.Is this a school project or can anyone play?
   

This project is open to any student or class.  It was originally intended as a high school project, but as Tricia Fuglestad’s Dryden Elementary school class has shown- it works as a group project for elementary school students as well.

10. I’m Ready! How can we participate?

Play Ball!