Felted Stop Motion Character Animation Class
7 Week Class August 5th – September 16th
Class: Tuesday Evenings- 7:30-9pm CST
Open Studio Hours (Optional): Sundays 2-5pm CST
Location: Online
Taught by Lumi Barron
Level: Beginner, Advanced Beginner
Age: 15+
Cost: $540
7 Week Class
August 5th – September 16th
Class: Tuesday Evenings- 7:30-9pm CST
Open Studio Hours (Optional):
Sundays 2-5pm CST
Location: Online
Taught by Lumi Barron
Level: Beginner, Advanced Beginner
Age: 15+
Cost: $540
Class Summary
This class is designed for students who want to learn tools and techniques for creating felted stop motion character animations. This is a fast paced class as we will be covering *a lot* of ground, but students can implement what they learn at their own pace.
Topics Covered: Needle Felting Basics, Stop Motion Puppet Making, Animation Set up, Stop Motion Puppet Rigging, Dragonframe, Animation Basics and Not-so-basics (ex: working with reference footage), Rig Removal, Basic Post Production (After Effects) and Tips and Tricks for continuing animating beyond the class.
By the end of the course students will have learned how to create their own felted character animations from start to finish.
Class – We will cover the production process from start to finish for creating and animating your very own felted characters. These classes will include topic demonstrations, group walkthroughs for set up and software, hands on time to work on new concepts, and time to ask questions about each new learned topic. *See Schedule for more details.
Open Studio Hours (optional):
These are an optional part of the class. During open studio hours a class link will be available for students to join and work on their projects in company, ask questions about their animations and lesson topics, grab a cup of tea and craft along with the teacher and classmates.
Materials
Materials Provided (sent to you in a nice little box!): Felt and Felting Materials, Puppet Making and Wire Armature Materials, Rig Making Materials, baseboard, table clip adjustable animation light. Dragonframe for the duration of the class.
Additional materials required:
- After Effects – We will be working with Adobe After Effects software for this class. A 1 month subscription costs $34.49 (Don’t get it yet! we wont be using this until the latter part of the course) Link
- Computer or laptop that can Support Dragonframe and After Effects – This is most computers but please check system requirements here: Dragonframe 2025 System Requirements and Adobe After Effects System Requirements
- *Please note that Chromebook does not support Dragonframe
- Camera: See list of supported cameras HERE. iPhone and Android Cameras work as well! (I use my phone all the time)
- Tripod for your camera (or phone if using as camera).
- USB Cable for your camera to computer connection.
- Glue – Regular Elmer’s glue, Tacky glue, etc will work just fine!
- Tape – I recommend masking tape
- Table – To animate on!
Please make sure to read the policies below before registering!
Outside the US? Send me a message on the form below for class options!
Registration closes Monday July 21st
Registration
Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Balance is due upon registration.
Please note that this class is for for students age 15+
Refunds and Class Cancellation
Please contact me at least 14 days before the start date of the class for a full refund. Unfortunately due to to limited class size and shipment of course materials refunds can not be processed after this time.
It is possible that a class is cancelled if an inadequate number of students register. In this case, tuition will be promptly refunded.
Missed Classes
Life happens! If you need to miss a class please contact me ahead of time. I am not able to offer make-up classes, but if you come to the Open Studio time following the class missed and I can give a brief overview of the new material.
Community and Class Guidelines
In order to effectively maintain a safe, equitable, and supportive learning environment, students and teachers are required to abide by the following community guidelines. By enrolling in this class you are agreeing to adhere to these expectations.
Maintaining a Safe Space
A healthy creative community is a safe creative community. We uphold a zero tolerance policy for any acts of racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, ableism, bullying, harassment, threats, or violence.
Perpetuating Respect
A lack of kindness and respect interferes with both a student’s ability to participate and learn and the instructor’s ability to conduct positive programming. Disruptive or harmful behaviors of any kind are not permitted.
What Happens if I Violate these Guidelines?
If you violate these guidelines, you will be issued you a verbal or written warning, or ask that you not return, depending on the severity of the violation. Multiple warnings will result in removal from the class. No refunds will be given in these instances
Thank you for helping us keep this class a safe and enjoyable space for all!
Recording and Digital Content Policy
Any recording (audio or visual) of the classes and open studio hours is strictly prohibited.
Any digital materials provided by the instructor may only be used for the purposes of the individual student’s study in the course and may not be distributed or shared with any wider audience.
Class full? Join the waitlist/email list for new class notifications.
Schedule
Class 1 – (8/5) – Class and Student Welcome and Introduction to Needle Felting
Class 2 – (8/12) – Felted Stop Motion Puppet Making
Class 3 – (8/19) – Dragonframe, Animation Set-Up, Prep and Rigging
Class 4 – (8/26) – All About Animation! Bringing things to life
Class 5 – (9/2) – All About Animation… continued!
Class 6 – (9/9) – Rig removal
Class 7 – (9/16) – Sharing our projects with the class and tips for going forward and animating beyond the class.
Open Studio Dates: 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, 8/31, 9/7, 9/14