04 Rotoscope Dance Party

Rotoscoping

A technique that involves drawing or painting over an element in live-action footage frame-by-frame (as to create a matte or a realistic animation)

Tutorials

04 Tutorials: Rotoscope Overview + Shadows

Creative Brief

Format: 1920 x 1080 HD (16:9), 24 fps (frames per second)

ROTOSCOPE DANCE ANIMATION

  • Download this folder structure with pre-built AE project template – 04_Rotoscope
  • Assignment 1
    • Duplicate the pre-built AE project file – rename it
      • Filename: ART466_04_Rotoscope_YourName_YYMMDD
    • Open your newly renamed AE project
      • Inside the footage folder, you’ll see 4 videos
        • Pick one of the four videos to rotoscope
          • Right-click and select “New Comp from Selection”
          • Drag the new composition into 01_COMPS > Dance_Comps folder
            • Important note: the video frame rate must match the composition frame rate for rotoscoping to work properly
    • Open your chosen dance composition
      • In the composition, double-click the video to open it in a separate layer
      • Begin rotoscoping out Randall from the entire :20 second video – see tutorials for further instruction if necessary
    • Once rotoscope is complete, begin assignment 2
  • Assignment 2 
    • Build a unique/abstract background animation to use as a fill inside your rotoscoped dance figure
      • You may repeat/loop this fill to fit the :20 length of the video
      • In the Background_Comps folder, create a new composition for your background animation (separate from your rotoscope dance composition)
    • Once background animation is complete, add your abstract background to your rotoscope dance composition
      • Track matte your abstract background inside your rotoscoped dance figure – see tutorials for further instruction if necessary
  • Assignment 3
    • Shoot 3 photos to use as a background image behind your rotoscoped dance figure
      • Be creative! This background image can be a room or specific location – or perhaps a smaller space such as a box, window sill – or something completely unexpected
      • Think about enhancing this background image by coloring it or otherwise changing it appearance
    • Pick one of your 3 photos to place as the background behind your rotoscoped dance figure
      • You’re welcome to try all three backgrounds for fun if you want
    • Place your rotoscoped dance figure (with the animated fill) appropriately upon your chosen background image
      • Feel free to animate the rotoscoped dance figure layer – have fun with it!
    • Add a shadow to your rotoscoped dance figure – see tutorials for further instruction if necessary
  • Assignment 4
    • Add music to your final composition
  • Assignment 5
    • Once Assignments 1-5 are complete:
      • Export your completed :20 second animation as .mp4 file (H264)
      • Create a post
        • Category: 04 Rotoscope Dance Party
        • Include YouTube or Dropbox link to your completed
        • Give your animation a cool title
          • Give it a little marketing touch – in other words, sell it with an interesting title!
      • Upload to Class Dropbox – Here

 

 BUILD YOUR OWN ROTOSCOPE ANIMATION

  • Summary
    • Using the rotoscope skills acquired in the dance exercise, create your own :25-:30 second animation from scratch that incorporates various aspects of the rotoscope tool.
      • Challenge yourself and get super creative with it. Make your piece stand out amongst the class!
        • Remember, this could go on your show reel to share with potential employers in the future. The cooler you make it, the more you’ll stand out in getting hired. Plus, you can show it off to your friends and family.
      • Experiment with different features/capabilities of the rotoscope tool – Explore, jump in the weeds, and have fun!
        • Obstacles and challenges are opportunities to learn and grow as an artist.
      • You may want to explore using kinetic typography in your piece (or any other After Effects animation techniques)
        • Your piece could also have talking head dialogue if you like. Just a thought.
    • You are required to rotoscope 3 scenes/subjects as a part of this animation – they do not all have to be on screen at once but totally can be
      • You may rotoscope more than three, but three is the minimum. Again, I encourage you to challenge yourself with this one.
    • Film your own videos – the content for this animation will be all yours!
      • You may use photos/images as backdrops or other elements in the animation, but your rotoscoped scenes/subjects must be recorded as videos.
      • Important: Record at 24 fps (or convert video to 24 fps before animating in After Effects)
      • Important: Use a tripod or stand when filming (keep the camera completely still – not handheld) – this will save effort and energy when rotoscoping
    • Add a soundtrack/score to your animation
      • Synchronize the music and sound effects to your animation
        • Think about using a click track for timing/synchronizing to a rhythm or beat if needed
      • You may use Artlist.io or you can pull from your own music/SFX libraries
  • Assignment 6
    • Write up a treatment concept for your animation (3-4 paragraphs)
      1. Describe what you will be filming, rotoscoping, and ultimately animating
      2. List what kind of rotoscoping effects you will explore
      3. Detail the music and sound effects you want to use
      4. Explain how you will synchronize your music and sound effects to your animation
    • Storyboard your animation using thumbnails
    • MAKE A POST – Create a title/name for your animation in your post
      • Category: 04 Rotoscope Animation Concept 
      • Include your treatment concept (3-4 paragraphs)
      • Include your storyboard thumbnails (at least 8 frames of thumbnails)
  • Assignment 7
    • Film your video footage
      • 1920 x 1080 HD (16:9 horizontal)
      • 24 frames per second (fps)
      • H264 or ProRes422 codec (or similar high-quality codec)
      • Important: Record at 24 fps (or convert video to 24 fps before animating in After Effects)
      • Important: Use a tripod when filming – this will save effort and energy when rotoscoping.
      • Important: Proper lighting can be incredibly helpful when rotoscoping – low lighting may create difficulties. Filming on a busy background with little contrast/color separation may also create difficulties.
      • Remember to film as horizontal – turn your phone sideways, not vertical.
    • Come to class with footage prepared to be animated
      • This includes all assets of your animation – including videos for rotoscoping, videos as backgrounds if necessary, photos/images as backgrounds if necessary, and any other elements you want to use in your animation
  • Assignment 8
    • Review the summary above and build your own rotoscope animation
      • V1 Draft: work-in-progress cut
        • includes most footage and rotoscope layers
        • rough assembly of audio soundtrack
        • rough assembly of backgrounds
      • V2 Draft: rough cut
        • full :25-:30 seconds in working condition
          • Footage and rotoscope layers completed
          • Backgrounds placed
          • Initial work on additional animation elements
          • Includes audio soundtrack
      • V3 Draft: polished rough cut
        • full :25-30 seconds, near final condition
          • This cut should have all elements placed and nearly final
          • We will give a last round of notes (critique) on this draft before final cut is presented

 

March 3, 2026 – Tuesday

  • Intro to the Rotoscope Dance Party project
    • In-class tutorial/instruction
  • Begin work on Assignments 1-5 (see Creative Brief)

Due before class on Thursday, March 5

  • Complete Assignments 1-2
  • Prepare for Assignment 3-5
    • Photograph three background images
    • Pick a music track or sound effects to use
  • Start thinking about your own concept for a rotoscope animation (:10-:30 second animation)
    • What will you film?
    • What effects will you use?
    • What creative message will you display?

March 5, 2026 – Thursday

  • Review Rotoscope Dance animations (completed and works-in-progress)
    • Present your animation and photos
    • Discuss your techniques and next steps
    • Class critique/feedback
  • Continue work to complete dance party animations (Assignments 1-5)
  • Begin work on building your own rotoscope animation
    • Assignment 6 (see Creative Brief)

Due before class on Tuesday, March 10

  • Complete Assignments 1-5 for Rotoscope Dance Party (see Creative Brief)
    • Don’t forget to make a post and upload to the class dropbox
  • Begin work on your own rotoscope animation (see Creative Brief)
    • Complete Assignment 6 – includes making a post with concept and storyboard thumbnails
    • Complete Assignment 7
    • Please review Creative Brief carefully for important details on this project!

March 10, 2026 – Tuesday

  • Review concepts/storyboards for your rotoscope animation in class
    • Present your concept and gain feedback from the class
      • What is your idea?
      • What other animation techniques will you try?
      • How will you sync to a soundtrack?
      • How did you film your footage?
  • Brief in-class tutorial on converting footage to 24 fps if necessary
  • Work on rotoscope animation in class
    • One on one check-ins

Due before class on Thursday, March 12

  • Be prepared to share a V1 draft of your rotoscope animation

March 12, 2026 – Thursday

  • Review/critique V1 drafts of your rotoscope animations
  • Continue work on rotoscope animations
    • One-on-one check ins
      • Looking to see your project organization and answer any questions
        • Let me know if you’re hitting any obstacles
  • Enjoy your Spring Break party or Spring Break chill

Due before class on Tuesday, March 24

  • V2 draft of Rotoscope Animation
    • Review the Creative Brief closely while you build
    • Email me if you have any questions or need assistance with anything. Here to help!

March 24, 2026 – Tuesday

  • Review current drafts of your rotoscope animations
    • Export your work in progress and upload to Class Dropbox
    • Critique using Frame.io
      • Leave notes/feedback for your peers
  • Continue work on rotoscope animations
    • One-on-one check ins
      • Looking to see your project organization and answer any questions
        • Let me know if you’re hitting any obstacles

March 26, 2026 – Thursday

  • Review current drafts of your rotoscope animations
  • Continue work on rotoscope animations
    • One-on-one check ins

Due before class on Tuesday, March 31

  • V3 Draft – polished rough cut

Due before class on Thursday, April 2

  • V4 Final Cut of BYO Rotoscope Animation

March 31, 2026 – Tuesday

Due before class on Thursday, April 2

  • V4 Final Cut of BYO Rotoscope Animation
  • See next project for additional assignment due Thursday 4/2/26

April 2, 2026 – Thursday

  • Upload your V4 Final Draft to Class Dropbox – Rotoscope Animation V4
  • CREATE A POST – include YouTube or Dropbox link to your V4 Final Draft
    • Category: 04 Rotoscope BYO – V4 Final Draft
    • Please include in your post:
      • Title of your animation
      • Artist/Title of the music
      • Brief description of your animation
      • Describe techniques used in your animation
      • Explain challenges and how your overcame them
  • Present V4 Final Drafts of BYO Rotoscope Animations in class