A Guide to Xtranormal!

A Guide to XtranormalAmy Spears

10/26/10EEX 3241 – McKinney/Cross

Fall 2010

What is Xtranormal?

Xtranormal is a website that allows you to make movies and give characters dialogue by simply typing something into your computer.

Who can use Xtranormal?Anyone! Xtranormal is free to use for basic use,

and you can upgrade for more options. You can even download a free version to use on your computer so that you are not confined to the internet or the website. It can be adapted for any grade level, from Kindergarten through College!

Pros:Easy, fast, and free! What could be better?Can choose your own characters and voices.Can enter contests and win prizes.

Cons:Voices sound like computers, not people.Isn’t a quality videoBlocks out many of the options for free use; it makes

you upgrade and pay to receive all the benefits.Doesn’t save automatically so it is easy to lose your

work.Takes a long time if you want to get everything just

right.The camera angles don’t let you see all action.Doesn’t let you place characters in different places.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 1

Go to http://www.xtranormal.com/To make a text-to-movie, create the

appropriate option on the page.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 2Choose a theme from the thirteen different

options available, as well as if you want one or two actors.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 3Write the script you would like your characters

to use.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 3Insert pauses when you would like your

characters to think or act stumped by dragging the pause button into your script.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 3Give your characters actions by clicking on the

action button in the toolbar and choosing which action you would like them to take, then drag it into the script.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 3Give your characters expressions by choosing

the expression icon on the left hand toolbar and dragging it into your script, then choosing the appropriate expression.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 3Allow character to point by dragging the

pointing action in the toolbar into the script and choosing the correct response.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 4Change which character is talking by adding a

script block; click the little addition symbol in the bottom right corner of the text box.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 5Change the scene by clicking on the icon on

the bottom left and choosing the background and scenery that you want.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 6To change the soundtrack, click the soundtrack

option on the bottom left side of the page and choose what you want.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 7Change the actors and voices by clicking on

their icons at the bottom left side of the page and choosing what you want them to look like.

How to use Xtranormal: Step 8Preview, Publish, and Save your video by

clicking the options at the bottom right corner of the page.

See the Final Production!When you are finished with your video, you can

save it to your account, share it with your friends, and embed it on a website.

Click here to see my finished video.

Ideas for usage in classroom:How does this pertain to us as future

teachers? There are many ways you can use this website in the classroom, and here are just a few ideas:Make a lesson interactive.Have students make a video as part of a

presentation.Have students turn a story into a movie.Have students write a movie.Create characters in the class and make a

movie about them.