I can’t quite remember how I got the idea, but I thought it would be fun to create some flipbooks based off of video I had shot. The challenge was to be able to effeciently process the frames from a 3-5 second clip, have them printed by a photography shop, and assemble them as easily as possible.

After some testing, I created a template within After Effects that takes a video as input, and through some expressions I wrote, outputs a sequence of JPGs - each with four video frames and crop markings per 4×6 print, as shown here:

Unfortunately, the cutting done at Ritz Photo (where I had mine printed) is never perfect, so this method isn’t for anything that needs an exact alignment of frames. In any case, the next step is to cut out the four frames from each print, a bit of a time-consuming process.

Once you have your stack, the final step is to bind the book. Clamping the pages together, I drove two holes with a hand drill - which turns out not to be as easy as I thought - it takes a lot of finesse (and a file) to make a clean cut. I found some discarded leather at a second-hand shop that worked well as a wrap around the spine, and ordered some 1″ length brass Chicago screws (also called screw posts) online. Steel, or another hard metal will also work - I would just stay away from the aluminum kind, as they strip easily when tightening.

Here’s a few final products I made for friends and family:

http://thecurio.us/blog/?p=14

And here’s the AfterEffects project file (CS3) if you want to try creating your own (UPDATED August 18, 2008. It was missing the PSD containing the cropmarks. Thanks for letting me know.): flipbook_template.zip

Rip and crosscut a piece of 3/4″-thick stock (Peter chose cocobolo for this fish) to 1 x 3-1/8″. Then, make one photocopy each of the full-size Side and Top View patterns shown below right. Adhere the Top View pattern to the top (the 3/4″ side) of your stock, and saw it to rough shape following the outside lines. Next, adhere the Side View pattern to the 1″ side of your stock, and saw to the outside pattern lines.

Remove all paper from the stock, and then smooth the edges and sand the fish to final shape with coarse sandpaper (60-grit). Finish-sand with 80-grit, then 120-grit.

Go over the fish with 120-grit paper to knock down any raised wood along the saw lines and drilled holes. When smooth, coat the outside surface of the fish with a clear finish and let dry. To complete, add the key ring.

Drawings: Roxanne LeMoine Design: Peter Chapman

• One empty half-gallon milk carton
• 2 Pencils
• Twine
• Scissors
• Wild Birdseed

This project will need the assistance of an adult to help do the cutting. Wash out the empty milk carton and let dry. Cut out a triangular section about ½” from the bottom of each corner of the carton. Carefully poke a pencil through each side of the bottom tray of the carton to create a perch for the bird. Punch a hole in the top of the milk carton and attach a long piece of twine to create a hanger.

Children will enjoy hanging this bird feeder from a tree branch in the backyard. Remember to check the feeder on a regular basis and refill it with birdseed.

Birds also need drinking water all year long. Birds do take drinks from the snow, but if you want to do something else for the birds, try this. Place a lid of clean water on the railing of a deck or steps.