The Magic of Stop Motion Animation
2 min read
Stop-motion is one of the oldest and most hands-on forms of animation. Instead of drawings or computer models, animators use real objects.
How It Works
An animator places a model, such as a clay figure or puppet, then photographs it. They move it a tiny amount and take another photo. When the photographs play back in order, the figure seems to move on its own. Films usually show 24 images every second, so a few seconds of action can take hours to shoot.
Materials
- Clay (claymation): Soft modelling clay is easy to reshape.
- Puppets: Figures with bendable skeletons inside.
- Paper cut-outs: Flat shapes moved across a scene.
- Everyday objects: Toys and building bricks work well too.
Famous Examples
- Wallace and Gromit were created by Nick Park at Aardman in Bristol, England, and star an inventor and his clever dog.
- Chicken Run (2000) is an Aardman feature about chickens planning a great escape.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) is a stop-motion musical with a spooky, whimsical style, best for slightly older children.
- Coraline (2009), made by Laika, is based on a story by Neil Gaiman and is a little scary for younger viewers.
A Short History
Stop-motion is almost as old as cinema itself. Early filmmakers discovered that stopping the camera, changing something in the scene, and starting again could make objects appear, vanish, or move on their own. In 1933, King Kong used stop-motion animation by Willis O’Brien to bring its giant ape to life, and the technique has been used in films ever since.
Tips for Smoother Results
- Make small movements. The smaller the change between photos, the smoother the motion will look.
- Use the same lighting for every photo, and avoid sunlight that changes during the day.
- Plan the story first with a few simple sketches.
- Add sound later, with your own voices and sound effects.
Try It at Home
Use a phone or tablet with a free stop-motion app. Put it on a stack of books so it cannot move. Place a toy, move it a little, and take a photo. Repeat about 50 times and play it back. Keep the lighting the same so the picture doesn’t flicker.
