Here are the steps to make your claymation video.

1. Come up with an Idea - this is really important, the better or funnier or scarier your idea, the better the result!
2. Create your Storyboard - sketch out the scenes for your video, you will follow this when you take your pictures and assemble your video.  See the example below.
3. Make your Characters - take your time, create some good characters, make them sturdy enough to stand on their own and hold their position, but flexible enough to move.
4. Props and Background - these will make the video more interesting.  Choose colors that don't overwhelm your characters.
5. Take Pictures - set your character(s) up, make sure there is good lighting and start taking pictures.  You will need to make very small movements between pictures so that the resulting video is smooth.  Think about maybe 15 frames per second.  So that is a LOT of pictures.  Follow your storyboard!
6. Assemble your Movie - upload your pictures to your computer.  Load the pictures into your video editing software (most likely either movie maker or iMovie).  They are both pretty easy.  If you get stuck, look in the help for your video software - on how to add pictures.
7. Add Music, Sound, Voice Over and Titles - read the help for your video software.  There are lots of great things you can do to make your video better or more interesting. Here are some of these.  You should consider each of these.
   • Add Music. This is something simple to do.  Each video editing program will allow you to upload music and add.
   • Add Sound Effects.  This is similar to adding music.  The video editing programs have sound effects.  You can also get other sound effects that you can add.  Please look at the links below to find creative commons music that you can use.
   • Add Voice Over.  The video editing programs also allow you to add voice over.  This is an easy way to have characters talk (even if you don't make their mouths move).  You can also add a narrator using voice over. 
   • Add Titles.  This is easy.  Add a title at the beginning.  Add credits at the end.  The video editing software that you are using has the ability to add titles.
8. Share! - post this to the activity and let your friends know!

Example

Here is a very simple storyboard example.  Click to see a larger version.