Stop Motion Studio - Cateater

This review of Stop Motion Studio was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 24 November 2016.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Stop Motion Studio contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

Not fully reviewed yet.

App description

Stop Motion Studio is a unique utility app that allows users to create their own animation using a mobile phone or tablet.  The app allows a series of still images to appear as a movie.  A range of features can be used to enhance the animation.  Skills required include problem solving, planning a series of events/ creating a storyline, fine motor skills, patience, an eye for detail and a high level of literacy if wanting to read the instructions.

 

This app is a creative platform that allows its users to produce animations using a mobile device.  Various simple tools are made available to the user, which can be used to create a stop motion animation.  However, there are many other tools that are only made available through in- app purchasing.  Consequently, some limitations are placed on the user if they are unable to purchase other tools for use in their stop motion animation.  These tools include: importing images; using theme cards for various scenes; adding sound effects; adding movie effects; changing the display of the film including the use of green screen technology and the paint tool; using rotoscoping (a feature that allows videos to be imported from one’s own photo roll and then altered by painting over individual frames); using the 4K ultra high definition resolution feature; and also activating another remote device to enhance the stop motion animation.

Reviewers comments

This app can be used in a restricted way, without using in-app purchases and interacting online. Stop Motion Animation does require access to the player’s personal information however, and online sharing is suggested. There is also a theatre link section of the app where viewers can watch other animations. Some of those observed by the reviewer featured coarse language and gender stereotyping.  ACCM therefore recommends ORANGE, parental guidance for children aged 4-8. Children 9-12 should be fine to use this app independently if online sharing is disabled. Parents should be aware of the online interactivity and in-app purchasing requirements for children 13 – 15. 

In App purchasing

A range of features is made available for purchase.  The cost of these features range from $1.26-$2.83.  Purchases are made through credit card use, Optus billing, PayPal or by redeeming a code.

Online information

Users are given the option to share their animations.  This can be done using a number of platforms including YouTube and Facebook for example.  If a user wishes to load their animation via YouTube an account is firstly required to be created. 

Gambling

Gambling content or activities are not found within this app.

 

Advertising and product placement

None

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

Gender stereotypes and sexual references were observed in other animators’ recordings whilst reviewing this app.  The user is able to access other animators’ recordings in the theatre link.  The theatre link is located next to the library link, where a user’s animations are saved.  

Coarse language

Some course language was observed in other animators’ recordings.  These recordings are available via the Theatre link of the app.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

None

Other

N/A.

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