STOP-

MOTION A

NIMAT

ION

DEFINITION:

“Stop motion (or frame-by-frame) animation is a general term for an animation technique which makes a physically manipulated object appear to move. The object is moved by very small amounts between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence. Clay figures are often used in stop motion animations, known as claymation, for their ease of repositioning.”

www.artandpopularculture.com

BRIEF HISTORY

The first instance of stop-motion can be found in Albert E. Smith and J. Stuart Blackton ‘s Humpty Dumpty Circus (1898)

One of the earliest clay animation films was Modelling Extraordinary in 1912

Examples of early stop motion: The Insects’ Christmas 1913

The pioneer of American stop motion was Willis O'Brien (1886-1963)

His early creations involved covering wooden armatures with clay, he then perfected his technique by using ball & socket armatures covered with foam, foam latex, animal hair and fur

Ex. Mighty Joe Young and King Kong

Willis O’Brien influenced many great filmmakers: Ray Harryhausen, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Jim Danforth, Art Clokey (Gumby), Pete Kleinow, Tim Burton, David Allen, Phil Tippett and Will Vinton

Ray Harryhausen was known for his work in Jason and the Argonauts

Rankin & Bass produced several Christmas videos that still captivate audiences—Ruldolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Year Without a Santa Clause

Tim Burton made several stop motion pictures including The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, and The Corpse Bride

The first 3-D full length feature Coraline premiered in 2008 by Henry Selick

STOP-MOTION MEDIUMS

*Clay

Claymation Breakdance

*Inanimate Objects (toys, blocks, etc…)

Wooden Statue

*Puppets

*Endless Possibilities

MATERIALS NEEDED

Video Camera, Web Cam, or Digital Camera

Modeling Clay (polymer clay works best)

Wire or wooden armatures for the clay to adhere to

Gages for tracking movements

Surface or Set for the characters to move in

Light source

Computer and software

Imagination and TIME

STEPS TO CREATING VIDEOS

*Stop-motion made simple

Tinkernut

*Creating Surface Gages

Surface Gages

*How to Build an Armature

Armatures

SITES FOR STOP MOTION

http://www.stopmotioncentral.com/

http://www.clayanimator.com/english/menu.html