I’ve been checking out Xtranormal for a long time now and think it’s a great way to introduce scripting, digital storytelling and film making to students.
As the website says, “if you can type, you can make movies…”
By selecting a collection and then characters, begin typing and away you go. Being able to select camera angles is a bonus.
As the website says
Xtranormal.com is a web-site powered by Xtranormal’s text-to-movie™ platform—a web-based application used to create short 3D animated movies from simple text-based movie-scripts. The characters in the movie speak the dialogue in the script, and react to performance triggers—icons that are dropped directly into the script, just like smileys in IM/chat. Movies can be shared through e-mail, blogs and online video sharing and social networking sites such as YouTube™, MySpace™ and Facebook™.
Xtranormal has its own YouTube channel and you can get updates from their Twitter account. Xtranormal could be a terrific way for students to interpret historical events or to present an assignment.
I’m thinking of using it for library orientation and as a fun way to introduce professional learning to teachers.
I agree this is a great site, however, I am concerned about the content on this site. Some of the pre-view movies at the top are not appropriate for students.
I have used xtranormal with my class – just be aware that you should be 13 or over to sign up for it
Thanks for your blog I enjoy reading it.
Thanks for the info Jill, much appreciated.
My sixth graders enjoyed using this product to make internet safety movies. Last year there were more free characters but there were still enough this year for the kids to have lots of choices.