After having adored playing with Rubik's cubes for many years, I wanted to find a way to make them tell a story.
Program
Since few programs exist around creating an animation with Rubik's Cubes, I decided to create one myself. I used a 3D environment to make a program that would allow for easy designing and editing, as well as tools specific to Rubik's Cubes including a diagnostic system that would allow me to know the fewest required cubes I would need to turn to advance to the next frame.
Building/Shooting
I made a basic painted frame to hold the Rubik's Cubes and a small truss using ladders to suspend the camera above the frame. Using my reference program, I would fill the frame with correctly-solved cubes and then take a picture using a remote shutter.
Editing
This was my first real stop-motion venture, so I did most learning on the fly. I figured out a process for the image sequencing and pacing, and my friend and I collaborated on a soundtrack to accompany the story. I created many sound effects practically, using objects in my home and a microphone, and then mixed and lined them up with the footage
Award Ceremony
I was lucky enough to be nominated for the All-American High School Film Festival for Best Animation, in which I traveled to NYC, watched my film play in a large movie theater, and saw the many other talented filmmakers there.
