Kidsday: Making stop-motion movies

Making stop-motion movies is really fun because, after a lot of work, it really pays off. You have a movie that you can show to your friends and family. You can share it by making a DVD or putting it on a website such as YouTube. I like making movies because you can use your imagination to make a car pop up out of nowhere or make an entire magic scene. You also can make the characters do whatever you want. To me, it takes me into another world. When my mom is calling me for dinner, I am so busy it's like I don't even hear her.

You will need some equipment and software to make a good stop-motion movie, and that can get expensive. If you don't have a lot of money to spend, you can make your movies with a computer and built-in web camera to start. If you find you love to do this and want to make movies faster and better, you will need to upgrade and get things like a Boinx iStopMotion, a digital camera or camcorder, a tripod and a basic video-editing tool like Apple's iMovie.

The way you begin to make a stop-motion movie is to start with a good idea. Next, you need to set up your camera or camcorder. Instead of a traditional camera, I would recommend using iStopMotion so each time you take a picture, it will send right to the program on your Mac, and you can edit as you go. You can set your camera or camcorder on the floor, a table or your tripod (I recommend a tripod).

Now, it's time to set up your first scene and make sure the camera is where you need it to be. After you take your first picture, you continue moving your people or scenery little by little, taking a picture each time, until your story is finished. This is the time-consuming part.

After you feel your story is complete, you can add your own voice-over and all kinds of different sound effects if you choose. For this, you must have iMovie.

Now, you are ready to share your movie with your family and friends.

Our annual South Salem talent show

Every year our school, South Salem Elementary School, holds an awesome talent show. It's a way students get to show off their talent, like singing, dancing, acting and even more. To be in the talent show, you have to try out.

The only way to get in is if you are creative with your act and try your best. In the Salem Talent Show, your act can be only two minutes, or else it will take forever. If you don't get in, the music teacher, Alison Friedman, makes an act for anyone to be in. It is a great way to show off your talents while raising money for your school.

-- HANNAH HIRSCH/Kidsday Reporter