Create a Multi Animator Project for 'Happy - Pharrell Williams'
Create short animated segments synchronized to 'Happy' by drawing flipbooks or stop-motion, then combine everyone's clips into a continuous multi-animator video, learning timing and teamwork.
Step-by-step guide to create a Multi Animator Project for 'Happy - Pharrell Williams'
What Makes Kids Happy? ("Happy" by Pharrell Williams)
Step 1
Ask an adult to help you pick a 5 to 10 second section of "Happy" and write down the start and end times of that clip.
Step 2
Decide whether you will make a flipbook or a stop-motion animation and write your choice down.
Step 3
Draw a simple 4-panel storyboard that shows what will happen in your chosen song section.
Step 4
Choose a frame rate to use and calculate the total number of frames by multiplying seconds by frames per second (for example 5 seconds x 8 fps = 40 frames) and write that number down.
Step 5
Set up your workspace with your papers cards pencils and colouring materials so everything is easy to reach.
Step 6
Create each frame in order: for a flipbook draw each image on the next page or card; for stop-motion set up your toy or clay and move it slightly and take a photo of each pose.
Step 7
Assemble your frames into a sequence by flipping your flipbook at the chosen speed or loading your photos into a simple video editor and setting the playback to your chosen fps.
Step 8
Play your animation next to the chosen song clip and watch whether actions hit the beats.
Step 9
Fix timing by adding or removing frames or changing playback speed so the key movements match the music beats.
Step 10
Export or save your short animated clip and name the file with your name and the clip start time.
Step 11
Send or upload your clip to the project organizer so it can be combined with other kids’ clips into the full multi-animator video.
Step 12
Share your finished animation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have the exact papers, cards, camera, or colouring materials listed in the instructions?
Use a smartphone camera to take photos for stop-motion, a free editor (like iMovie or OpenShot) to assemble frames, substitute index cards with stapled folded paper or cereal-box cardboard, and swap special colouring materials for crayons or markers when you set up your workspace with papers, cards, pencils and colouring materials.
My animation doesn't hit the music beats when I play it next to the chosen song—what should I do?
When your animation misses beats, follow the instructions to fix timing by adding or removing frames where a key movement happens, slowing or speeding playback in your video editor, or holding an important pose for extra frames so the action lines up with the song clip.
How can I adapt this multi-animator project for different ages or skill levels?
For younger kids pick a shorter 3–5 second section and a simpler 2-panel storyboard with low fps (4–6) and stapled pages for a flipbook, while older kids can choose 8–10 seconds, use the full 4-panel storyboard, higher fps (8–12), and more complex stop-motion setups like clay or multiple props and precise frame calculations.
What are easy ways to improve or personalize my clip before exporting and sending it to the organizer?
Add a custom title card with your name and the clip start time, include simple sound effects or extra drawn backgrounds to reinforce beats, try a distinctive color or ending frame, then export, name the file as instructed, and upload to the project organizer and DIY.org.
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Facts about animation for kids
🎵 Pharrell Williams released "Happy" in 2013 and it became a worldwide hit, inspiring countless fan-made videos and covers.
✏️ The flip book was patented in 1868 as the "kineograph"—one of the earliest and simplest forms of animation.
📷 Stop-motion animation is created by moving objects tiny amounts and photographing each pose frame-by-frame to produce motion.
⏱️ Traditional film runs at 24 frames per second (fps), so 1 second of animation = 24 drawings or photos—handy for timing your clips.
🤝 Multi-animator projects stitch many short clips (often 1–4 seconds each), so clear timing notes and teamwork keep the video smooth.
