Scratch Film

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In this activity, learners manipulate film to create homemade movies. Scratch Film, also known as Direct Animation, is the process of drawing and scratching designs directly onto film. Images are hand painted on clear and black film leader using paints, markers and ink. Other techniques include stenciling, etching, and the use of found footage spliced directly into 16 mm and 35 mm film. This activity is great if you have old film equipment and are looking for a creative way to use it with learners.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
2 to 4 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 11 - adult
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 16 mm film leader (clear and/or black)
  • 16 mm splicer and splicing tape
  • 16 mm film projector; take up reel
  • things to scratch with (dental tools, sandpaper, nails, tacks, X-ACTO blades
  • things for marking: Dr Martin's inks, permanent markers, q-tips
  • clothes line
  • clothes pins
  • scissors
  • hand lens
  • butcher paper

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Light and Optics
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process

Informal Categories

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Photography and Film/Video

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, ESI-0452567