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Your feedback or comments are
always important but sometimes I receive similar questions and
cannot always respond to every individual email. You may possibly see the
answers to the most asked questions in this department. Any other questions
that might possibly be, of a more technical nature, I may address in the
Library
link. I DO read every email and as needed, will
update FAQ.
Q: What
is Stop Motion Animation?
A: Stop
Motion Animation uses the same principles as drawn or cel
animation (cartoons).......a movie camera is used like a
still camera.....there are 24 different drawings (which
equals one second of movement) and the movie camera shoots one frame (which
is one picture) of film for each drawing (in proper
sequence). With Stop Motion Animation, you have a small
 puppet (about the size of a Barbie doll)....inside this puppet there
is a custom machined jointed mini-skeleton (called an "armature"), and it is
covered with foam rubber (the puppet skin). A person (the animator) moves the
puppet a little bit, then the camera shoots one still picture of the puppet,
the animator moves the puppet again.....another still picture is
taken.....this is continually done until you get hundreds of still pictures
which were taken by the movie camera. When you run the movie film in a
projector, all the sequentially shot still pictures of the puppet, gives the
illusion that the puppet is moving on it's own. I am sure many of you have
heard of or seen Celebrity Deathmatch, the Chevron Talking
Cars commercials, Nightmare Before Christmas movie, and the
original King Kong is a very old classic using this animation
method.....also, the recent movie, Chicken Run uses the stop motion
animation method......using clay heads & rubber puppet bodies. There are
many other examples of stop motion animation but too  numerous to mention here. Today, much of animation is either
cartoon or computer animation, and unfortunately, Stop Motion Animation, is
somewhat like the "black outcast sheep" of the animation "family". When stop
motion is done well, audiences really enjoy watching this literally
hands-on crafted animation method, but it is now mostly rejected by
mainstream Hollywood, who are now "pushing" the"computer" animated
products onto the masses. Stop motion is used in all sorts of ways from
creatures/aliens or fantasy puppet characters.....to cartoonish or stylized
puppets. In the USA, before all the current computer animation, the
"Godfather" of commercialized-type Stop Motion in the entertainment movie
business, was the incredible Ray Harryhausen .... a
truly eclectic master of this animation art ..... a filmmaker, technician,
artist, animator, etc..... who was a pioneer and used the Fantasy
Genre as a creative outlet for his hand-crafted animated puppet
creations & special effects (low budget but lots of "bang for the buck").
I could go on and on about Ray, but here are a couple of websites that will
do a much better job.....TheSeventhVoyage.com and The Fantastic Films of Ray Harryhausen
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Q: If
everything in animation is Moving,
then why is it called STOP Motion
Animation?
A: "Stop
Motion" is indeed an arcane or odd
description/name that we got stuck with
from the earliest historical days of
Cinema. From
Puppets & People (image)...."In the early days of filmmaking,
the term Stop Motion applied to a
broad range of Special Effects. Substituitions
and abrupt disapearances were accomplished just by
stopping the camera, making the appropriate
changes in the scene, and starting the camera
again". Here is a more complete definition
from The Complete Film Dictionary
.... Stop Motion Photography
....
Any cinematic technique that utilizes the constant Stopping
& Starting of the camera to allow for a change in the subject
during the interval the camera is not shooting (in the
Stopped mode) which will produce some effect when the
printed film is projected continuously. There are five basic kinds of
Stop-motion photography:
1. When single frames are snapped over a period of time to record a
process with lengthy pauses between shots, when the frames are shown at
regular speed the process that was being recorded occurs rapidly. This is
time-lapse photography. When Disney used it during the
1950's and early 1960's in such documentaries as The Living Desert
blossoming flowers turned into a floral ballet.
2. Méliès'
transforming bus falls into the second category, where the camera is stopped,
the scene is changed, perhaps by the removal of an object or actor, and
filming resumes. When the film is run, the object or actor seems to
disappear.
3. Another way to use stop-motion involves stopping the camera at
various points in a scene, advancing the action and turning the camera back
on. An actor will then appear to pop in and out of existence, each time at a
different place.
4. The fourth effect provided by stop-motion is known as
pixillation. By shooting objects or people one frame at a
time or by removing frames from a filmed scene, the action in the scene
appears jerky and quick. The infamous eating scene in Tom Jones is a prime
example of this effect.
5. When most people hear
Stop-Motion, they think of this final
category: A flexible model (the Puppet) is filmed
in short segments of one or more frames and is moved slightly
between each shoot. When the film is run through the movie projector at the
speed of 24 frames per second (video = 30 frames per sec), the model appears
to move. The smaller the incremental changes, the more natural the movement.
Apply the process to a series of drawings
and you have The Lion King (as an example).
LIO
Comment: The 2D hand
drawn animation industry (aka cel animation /
cartoons) does not call their
animation technique, Stop Motion, even though, by pure
'Technical' definition, one could classify it in Stop Motion category. Also,
Stop Motion has had different names such as
.... Puppet Animation, Model Animation, Stop Action Animation,
Dimensional Animation, Stop Frame Animation, and Stop Motion
Photography. Other Stop Motion sub-categories: The
more popularly known, Clay Animation; then there is the
lesser known, Replacement Animation, Object Animation & Cut-Out
Animation. Am I confusing you?
_____________________________________________________________________________
Q: Okay,
I am really interested in Stop Motion Animation but I do not have much money
and I also need free information about Stop Motion. How do I get
started?
A: What you think
is a simple question that might have a simple response, actually
would require biblical sized answers! If you do not remember the
early days of stop motion animation (without computers) then it is difficult
to explain all the details  &
steps required for this unique animation art form that does not rely on mouse
clicking computer methods. Stop Motion is hands-on where you actually
build things, objects, etc. Where do you start? Well, reading this
FAQ is a good beginning. This website is small, so take the
time to look at all the pages and links (do a little bit each day). After
reading questions & answers here. Read this
commentary (bottom of that page).
After that go to WorkShop and read more of my
commentary and you will find some links with free information that is about
stop motion or other arts, crafts and skills. Remember, not all
information is free. You will also need to get some
books which you will find at Books link.
You spend money on your cell phones, dvds, music cds, so you can
certainly afford some books? BUY THEM .... IT WILL SAVE YOU
LEARNING TIME. Most of the books are not related to Stop Motion but
cover other crafts or methods that are applicable to Stop Motion production.
I am sorry to say that there is not a single book that can explain or that
covers all areas of Stop Motion. You have to be a detective and do
research and learn what you think, you need to know. Everyone has
different levels of skills and proficiency. Stop motion like other hobbies
does cost money and if that is a big issue for you, then get
a job and start saving your cash. Also, at first think
simple and take baby steps. Many
beginners, have ambitious plans to create Stop Motion masterpieces
but their projects never go anywhere because they are so overwhelmed by all
the steps and complexities of Stop Motion.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Q: Can I
get a job or make a career in Stop Motion Animation? Also, I do not see much
Stop Motion..... Why is that?
A: Well.... at
this time, as a "career", I am not so sure. Stop Motion is still being used
in smaller media markets but not in motion pictures (very rare now). You
might see major stop motion works from outside the USA ......like Aardman
Animation from Engla nd. With the onslaught of CGI computer animation, stop
motion seems to have been put on the backburner. With computer animation, it
is more of an assembly line production in which the "director" (usually not
an animator) can request constant changes or revisions to the
computer animation. People working in computer animation do very specific job
functions. With Stop Motion, animators sometimes serve a more key
role, almost like an animator-actor-director. Also, the process of
animating stop motion is more like a Live Theater Performance....
the animated results can be edgey, snappy, spontaneous or very surreal .....
the results more organic and reflecting nuances of the animator's style &
personality (not filtered through the computer). Usually, film directors want
to be in absolute control of every minor detail. With Stop Motion, a director
may need to relinquish some of his ego and control to the stop
motion animator . A director who really understands the stop motion
process, allows these spontaneous and unpredictable things to happen .....it
is not as rigid as a computer animated production. A Stop Motion production
uses many of the traditional arts, crafts, and skills ..... it is not easy to
quickly assemble a crew with those unique talents. With computer
animation......there is a plethora of technicians to choose from. In
mainstream work to day,
studios have now created a hyper-pressure atmosphere to pump-out the
animation and/or special effects in severely short production
schedules. With quality Stop Motion work, one cannot rush it. Stop Moiton has
always had a checkered existence and as I stated above in the FAQ here, stop
motion was never fully embraced by the mainstream entertainment business. I
AM NOT criticizing CGI animation or digital special effects. My main
complaint only, is that other methods or approaches are perhaps
being shut-out or excluded by mainstream moviemakers ..... computers seems to
be the panacea to them. Computers ARE incredible tools but maybe
used as a crutch? I sometimes say "Less is More", and first priority is to
tell a good story with good characters. Sooooo, my advice
for now, "Keep your day job".
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Q: Can
you recommend or offer any tips or advice on how I can record or film stop
motion? Oh, I forgot to tell you...... I do not have much money.
A : Yes. I can give you a general idea and wrote some comments at this
link, Filming your Stop Motion Animations. Many inquiries that I receive, also say...... "cannot afford
to spend much". Well, if it is a hobby you enjoy, there usually is a
monetary investment. Compared to years ago, computers, hardware,
software programs, etc., are getting more affordable today, so "money" should
not be an issue. Selection of cameras might be an exception. Middle range to
more expensive cameras can be somewhat of an investment $$. Before you
purchase it, research carefully to be sure it will be
compatible with your other animation software, hardware and
components. As I previously stated in FAQ here, beginners get
over-excited and immediately want to create Stop Motion epics on a
shoestring budget. Also, as you have heard me say before, take baby
steps first .... you can even use a WebCam to just initially
practice Stop Motion.
______________________________________________________________________________
A: What
is the cost of a stop motion puppet and/or the jointed armature?
Q: You should
know, that armatures are CUSTOM machined and crafted.
Off-the-shelf armature parts are not usually available at
Walmart. Some are now offering online ..... armature parts
or kits which can vary in quality. The average person-consumer will need to
learn some specialty skills such as brazing and have some
degree of manual dexterity in assembling the armatures and working with
tools. Stop Motion is not a huge market, where an armature
company can mass produce them and generate profits. What I am trying to say,
a reasonably good armature can be somewhat expensive for the general
consumer, however, in the "business" for
professional use, these prices are
moderate. I can tell you, a custom made commissioned
armature can be from maybe $500. to a few
thousand $ (USD). Then there is the additional
cost of making the puppet (covering with rubber,
clothes, sculpting, moldmaking, etc.). There are alternatives and if one is
self-motivated and dedicated, you can
attempt and learn  how to build
armatures, but not much information is available about that. There is a
book, Stop-Motion Armature Machining, but if you are not the gadgeteering-type or if you never attempted
metalworking & machining techniques, these methods may be
difficult for beginners. A company called Armaverse
sells very low cost armatures & parts,
adequate for beginners but may not be suitable for complex or very customized
puppet designs. I did write some brief instructions about some general, maybe
easier methods of armature construction .... in WorkShop you will see
my articles. Here is free online tutorial Do-It-Yourself Brass-based Armatures which does not require too much equipment. Remember "Baby Steps"?
Here is a free downloadable Word document that gives an overview of
Puppet
Construction (just text/no photos). If
you are budgetally challenged .... maybe Animation Supplies. For
just practicing hands-on animation, you might try using
these, Loc-Line Doll Armatures..... they need to be modified by adding feet, hands & head, then
you can practice animate the bare armature/maniken (without skin or clothes).
Also, read the Stop Motion message board Handbook which provides
overview information about general Stop Motion production.
______________________________________________________________________________
Q: I went
to your "Contact" page and have emailed Stop Motion Works
some questions, but I did not receive a reply? Do you not answer your
email?
A: I READ ALL the
emails .....this web site is something I do on my own, in my spare
time. Sometimes the questions I receive are already addressed or answered in
my web site. This web site is small in size but you can also use
Stop Motion Works
Search. I DO answer many of the emails
if there is perhaps additional information that is not on this site. I
always like to hear your general feedback or comments what
you think of Stop Motion Works.
______________________________________________________________________________
Q: Can
you tell me how many birthdays I have had?
A: Yes. ONE. The
rest were anniversaries.
SO
..... YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?
Q: I am
writing a paper and I was wondering if you can send me information about Stop
Motion and also the history of it?
A: NO
.... I will NOT. Above question is only an example. I also get
asked, "What do I need to get started in Stop Motion?", and
other similar, very vague or too general
questions. You have a Search feature for
this website and also a Site Map. This is not a big website. If it is a specific
question where the information may not be here at Stop Motion Works, if time
permits, I most likely will answer it. Again .... I do read all
comments sent to Stop Motion Works. Here is a statement from
another Webmaster who also has an informational
website:
" Other webmasters I've talked to have said that
this is a common problem with running an informational page: You put in hours
as a labor of love and some people will expect you to put in more unpaid time
and become their personal research assistant. And I've been told that the
abusive tone of some of these emails is also sadly common. What some people
see as a "snotty" tone in this page, I see as firmly defining the boundaries
of what I will and will not do. The majority of people I hear from are kind
and delightful, and they are the ones I happily do this page for. But the
Internet brings you into contact with all types of people, and for a certain
type of person, you have to be firm. I know, of course, that YOU are
certainly not that type of person, so I thank you for understanding my
position."
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