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08.30.08 * StopMoShorts
Website Closes
its Doors .....
Just announced at messageboard.
Some of you might be confused, thinking that StopMoShorts
was part of Stop Motion
Works. No,
there was no official business connection between the two web  sites. Eric Scott was the
initiator/creator of StopMoShorts.
Mike Brent, Nick Hilligoss, Jason Gottlieb, and myself were
part of the volunteer SMS
team, assisting withmoderating or
promoting. StopMoShorts
gradually started back around October
2004 and has gone through some website design changes
throughout the years. SMS existed before
YouTube
(which began February,
2005). There were a few, what seemed to be good years for
SMS, however the deluge of other free hosting video website coming
online seems to have contributed to SMS's viewership and participation
decline. It is always a gamble online and in my view one cannot really count on loyalty from the casual & anonymous lurking audience out here. Of course, there are 'some' exceptions were there is a good loyalty base. In the past, I haveocassionally tiraded about all this. I realize that there are different degrees of interest in Stop Motion and many of you maybe only curious about it or a cursory once-in-while dabbling hobby for you.. In this Sci-Fi-like cyber-virtual online world there is no real permanency. So, do not be surprised or saddened, if you do not frequent your favorite websites then you  decide
to disappear
for awhile but come back a year later, then you find that
'fav' website gone.
Hey, Stop Motion Works
or
the SMA messageboard
could also drop out too. I am not saying that will happen, but you
never know. That's your loss and the consequences of apathy, no esprit
de corps, not staying connected or involved, etc..
I gave you warnings
in the past. Remember
this!?Eric Scott and myself have discussed the possibility of Stop Motion Works archiving some of the StopMoShorts content, especially the How-To Tutorials and some other content. Stop Motion Works cannot include all the past SMS animation submissions but maybe will save some of the memorable one's. Note: After end of this week, the SMS links above may not be active anymore. ____________________ 08.23.08 * Stop Motion: Where
to Learn? ..... Since the beginning, Stop Motion
has mostly been a SELF-TAUGHT animation craft/art. The alternative, is
finding some place that teaches Stop Motion which is RARE. Stop Motion
is usually eschewed
by most studios/suits in USA and in turn, the educational &
instructional institution also follow that pattern (Stop Mo usually
ignored).There does not exist, a so-called 'Stop Motion Industry'. This
Animation Craft/Art has always existed as a non-mainstream, somewhat
renegade and underground,boutique/specialty. However, this somewhat
'Old World' animation ____________________ craft,
perhaps now achieving notoriety & exposure to the worldwide
masses/audiences via
'New World' (ironically) Hi-Tech Internet. If you have the personal drive, perserverance, some fundamental dexteritous & crafting skills, and willing to sweat through trial & error learning mistakes, you can teach yourself Stop Motion. On the other hand, if you are not of that 'nature' and maybe need to have some more personal hands-on guidance through a mentor/teacher who puts a fire under your butt, there are very few schools that offer 'some' Stop Motion education/training. In some of the public educational institutions with animation curriculums, Stop Motion is usually under the title of 'Expermental Animation'. Stop Motion instruction is still rare today, in the current CGI 'Puter curriculum dominated schools-universities.  Here
are a few Stop Motion instructional programs: One is from the Gnomon
School of Visual Effects, in Southern California, being
taught by the very qualified Stephen
Chiodo. A 10 week course and seems verrry affordable compared
to typical University curriculum costs. The other one, in my home town
of San Francisco, is from the Academy
of Art University. They have inperson classes/programs
of various forms of Stop Motion techniques (under
'experimental animation'). I believe that is reserved for those getting
the major degrees, however, AAU is beginning to offer Stop Motion
in their online
Cyber-campus division. I hear, this is just a start with
possible later expansion of Stop Motion
offerings/instruction. This particular online class will be
headed by Ken
A. Priebe. I was fortunate to visit AAU when Ken
was here in San Francisco shooting the classes/courses. This Stop
Motion Works news topic about schools and/or instruction will be
ongoing and our News Journalism research
staff  will do
future
news updates, as needed. EDIT: 08.24.08* Digital Still Camera is not the only path to High Definition ..... That is what I have sometimes stated in the past but at messageboards the Almighty Digital Still Cam seems to be the Stop Mo photographic piece of equipment that is usually proselytized to the lurkers & newbies. Sure, a digital still camera with Xtreme high resolution, can give you all sorts of Anal Retentive options  . I say, will the
'public' really notice that on their Hi-Def TV's? I have
tested consumer Hi-Def
Video Camcorders at stores and had them playback the HD
shot video tape on their in-store large screen Flat LCD TV screens.
Hi-Def recorded on tape is in compre ssed format,
however, even from
a consumer Hi-Def camcorder, the image quality looks pretty damn good
to me
and I would think, the general public would also find it very
acceptable. So I ask: Using just a Digital Still Camera, how would you combine 'live action' High Definition combined with HD Stop Motion such as in Harryhausen-esque?? As far, as I know, you CANNOT shoot 'live action' with a digital still cam. As I ponder this, puffing on my Gandalf-ic Pipe of Wisdom  , it seems
that
an HD Video Camcorder
with HDMI interface (firewire-like connection for Hi-Def format) would
maybe be the commonsensical and cost effective choice for shooting both
the Stop Motion & Live Action?? Please, DO NOT
mention the Red One
cam. You have the $deep pockets$ to purchase that?? I am looking at
resourceful, creative, and 'affordable' ways to shoot Hi-Def resolution
Harryhausen-type
Stop Motion combined
with real people/actors. I have not figured out the technical details
yet, but I believe a consumer HD Camcorder and a
workflow/process can be worked out or tweaked to do it. HDMI capable HD
camcorders, I see as the optional
alternative to digital still cameras and perhaps the trend is
starting: Stop
Motion Pro & Blackmagic Design working with Aardman,
Making
of 'A Short Love Story' Also, check out the Stop
Motion Programs that are High
Definition HDMI ready, listed at this News
Flash EDIT: 08.24.0808.16.08 * 'The
State of Visual Effects' White Paper Report .....
Something maybe distantly related to Stop Motion, if you wish to
classify our animation art/craft as 'Special Effects'. This White paper
released in July, appears to be a summary/overview of the Special
Effects biz as related to mainstream work, especially those gazillion
dollar productions and also applies to commercial
advertisting work. It is the
view/opinion of their pundits and very
heavy emphasis on Digital Visual Effects
and just mild references to traditional ____________________ special effects. IMO,
with a
myopic viewpoint, they suggest that
CGI 'Puter work will make other forms of
visual effects techniques
obsolete. Do not
fall for these grandoise predictions as 'truth'. They are
merely giving you their guesstimations. 'We' who have clear
vision & intuitive commonsense can see the
bigger picture and other possible 'truths'. Like I said a
million times, do not
look to 'mainstream' to embrace Stop Motion. Stop Mo always
existed and still survives from the spirit and passion
of independents & outsiders (of Hollywood). Uncle Ray was sort
of, a 'renegade' too. In his career, he always had
difficult
time selling Stop Motion.I know you are all maybe excited about Coraline which will be venturing into the mainstream market. Phil Knight is behind Laika Studio and he is not from the Hollywood mainstream. We are fortunate that he has embraced Stop Motion as part of Laika Studio's products & services. Another important aspect in my view is; Phil has the very large monetary means to invest and back-up his vision. All other USA based big studios are too cowardly to experiment and trailblaze and like sheeple, just stay with their formulaic & homogenized products. I think Stop Motion works better when the production is a small to medium sized crew/operation. When Stop Motion gets too big or bureaucratic, it maybe loses 'something' (hard to explain). Also, the larger the production, it obviously becomes much more budget hungry (costly). To me, Stop Motion is more personal and an expressive tool for individual artists or a group of artists working on the smaller projects. Face it folks, WE have the predominate CGI which is favored by mainstream biz. Thanks (or maybe NO thanks) to mouse clicking technology, the insanity today as dictated by the 'Suits' in their quest for the lottery chance of a blockbuster; is their ever increasing time deadline pressures they constantly push & push, to crank out the special effects. I cannot deny that CGI can do it way faster (but at obscenely high cost). They have the biggest advantange of accessing a plethora of Plug'n Play crew. I believe, Stop Motion does not work as well within the mainstream movie biz production workflow methodology. Fact is:There is a limited Stop Motion talent pool and it can take a hella long time to 'ramp up', especially finding/hiring a crew (if it's a big production). As I have alluded to in the past but worth mentioning again, Stop Motion is more suited to other venues & alternative distribution options for public consumption. Just a reminder to you all, that there are boutique practioners of Stop Motion worldwide, not necessarily mainstream work, but they are perhaps fulfilling a niche market which this White Paper completely ignores or maybe they never thought of (new emerging/alternative markets). Also, the report does not address, but perhaps difficult to quantify, predict, or formulize; the changing taste trends of the audiences. How much of the onslaught of artificial CGI stuff can the public take? Don't you sense an over saturation of it? To me, CGI or Digi Special Effects all having the SAME-NESS LOOK & FEEL. The Suits will never, ever GET IT. The foundation is, Good solid story & characters. It's NOT the Fugg'n Computer (CGI) .... IDIOTS!! 
Read Visual Effects Society's The
State of Visual Effects or Html
version. Also check this quick read Nuking
the Fridge - Visual Effects Backlash In The Making?08.09.08 * Interview with
Anifex Studio about Stop Motion ..... Anifex Studio
located down under in Australia and interview conducted by people
at FX Guide. Almost
all their website content focuses on mouse-clicking 'Puter
special effects & CGI animation, but this specific one to me,
was rare
for them, in that they are a ____________________ ctually
covering the hands-on & tactile Craft/Art of Stop Motion. In the
high quality Quick Time interview
clip (not fuzzy Flash video), you
will see glimpses of Anifex's shop/studio and you can freeze frame to
study & absorb it. The interviewer does a good job at asking
good questions. Anifex does variety of animation, 2D, CGI, and strong
emphasis on Stop
Motion from Clay animation style to Harryhausen-esque. If you have not
seen it yet, or to jog your memory watch this commercial
clip, then come back here. I will wait. You Stop Motion lurking newbies (of the MySpacey generation) , are so spoiled now with
all these Stop Motion Secret
revelations (& take it for granted). In the old'n days before
the Internet excess existed, 'we' only had
still photos from magazines, to study with our
magnifying glasses. WE earned
it the hard
way! As you watch the interview, notice within yourself,
your heart rate increasing as your mouth salivates
& froths with orgasmic-like excitement of seeing real miniature
sets and the various fabrication stages of real
puppets, then comparing that to
CGI'ists sitting in front
of 'Puters. Which is more funner??
Watch: Regular QT
Lowband and QT
Broadband Anifex
website* New Stop  Motion United
Airlines Animated Ads .... United
doing a promo campaign to be aired during 2008 Olympic
Games (from China). There are about 5 in the series of of these ads, using an
old world, stylized look and flavor. Some are all CGI or have
'Puter created elements, however, attempting to avoid the excess
hyper-slick fluidinous and airbrushiness signature of CGI. The ads were
produced from worldwide selection of studios/directors, including Jamie Caliri
& his crew. Read
& watch: United
Airlines debuts new commercials Caliri's
Ad is called Heart United's
YouTube page. In case you do not know, Jamie is behind the
'Porsche of Stop
Motion software' for Macs,
Dragon
Stop Motion* Tennapel / Chiodos in news again .... How many times have I recently plugged Doug Tennapel & the Chiodos, here and here? It seems that I am doing an episodic series on them! Someone had a comment at Tennapel's YouTube page guessing or misleading us that the Stop Motion puppet was possibly for Doug's new Sockbaby but there was no confirmation or denial by Mr. Tennapel. Well, I just found out that, all this behind the scenes Stop Motion stuff is for an episode of the Sarah Silverman Show. A vid clip of Doug & Chiodos finally revealing the purpose of this alien lime green, Stop Mo puppet creature. 08.02.08 * LIO
Observated™: Stop Mo Animation forum, past month July .... Just announced, 'Master
of the Majicks', authored by Mike Hankin. An in
depth book about the Stop
Motion Master, Ray Harryhausen. They say, 10 years
in the making. Ernie
Farino,
a Stop Motion and all around animator in the early days, is behind the
Publishing company producing this book. It is suppose to eventually be
3 volumes. Volume 2 will be available this September, however they are
skipping Volume 1 and 
they give an explanation at Archive
Editions.Stop Motion process becoming very accessible, streamlined ('puters/software), lightweight & portable compared to 'Old'n Stop Mo days' of heavy & costly film cameras, pricey film lab processing, power consuming lighting equipment, massive heavy stages, complex to execute blue/screen. Emerging now, LED Lighting. This is actually for disco night club lighting, however, Craig from Stop MotionMaker, decided to take the trailblazing plunge, by purchasing & experiment with this 'new' source of lighting, which might be strong enough illumination alternative for the miniature environment of Stop Motion. Also, do not forget about this amazing very easy to setup, space-age & very lightweight, portable blue/green screen that we announced way back EEFX company. This is som  ewhat peculiar to me.
This poster shows a homebrew method how to make a double ball joint, however he makes a 'copyright
claim' to this ball joint, as though he owns
it?? He states, you cannot
sell these kind of ball joints to others? Well, years
ago, I experimented
with almost identical method using 1/8 inch
hole
perforated 16guage thick sheet metal, 3/16" size balls, and using
2-56 T-nuts through the middle hole to hold the plates together under
tension. He describes a technique similar to making bicycle 'chain
link plate' double ball joints. Chain links are much stronger
though, than the perforated
metal
which can have a tendency to bend Cheap
easy double ball jointAnother free video hosting website wanting animation uploads, unfortunately good Stop Motion work that stands above the crowd may not be as plentiful as the other animation techniques. Looks like more online demand than 'supply' (Stop Motion)?? The new website is called 4mations and maybe with a twist. It does not appear to be a 'consumption for the masses' YouTube-like thing, but instead, perhaps more of a portfolio-like showcase, including prizes Also, do not forget about Wild Pitch TV that appeared last month at the messageboard. Do not know what the status is or if the website has been officially launched or in Beta. Not much content and especially, not much animation submissions, yet. What an amazing find by this poster! A resource for sound effects! Soundsnap. I hate to burst his bubble though, our SMW News staff posted that about 1 year ago  . Looks, like a TIME CRUNCH with getting Coraline finished?? Hiring more people. * Miscellaneous: Who is David Gordon Green & What is 'Life's A Zoo'? This D.G. Green dude appears to be known by the general independent film community and has kind of a cult following? I never heard of him until I got some news buzz about him which claims, Universal Studio has some interest in him. News article says one of Green's project is called Your Highness, " ....about a friend that smokes weed and fights dragons, or at least, creatures of some sort". He is also quoted as saying, wanting to use Harryhausen-esque Stop Motion. Status of project seems to be uncertain. I quickly looked, and it seems Green's contact info is difficult to get. David Gordon Green's Future Projects - Remake of Six Pack and More & Variety Every once in awhile I have received press releases about an upcoming Stop Motion animation series, called Life's A Zoo. At the time though, there were no previews available and only still images of some of the Stop Mo scenes. Also, the Zoo website was always under construction (and still is) but now has a brief preview clip. I am still not sure of the concept of this series whether this is for cable TV or Internet. It seems to be similar to 'Robot Chicken' with regards to the 'Low Brow' kind of humor. Cuppa Coffee Studio (Canada) did the actual animation work. Then this other site, Blip TV has much more snippet clips than the official Zoo site. ____________________
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