How to Make a Stop-Motion (Claymation) Movie: A Beginners Guide

Making Claymation or stop motion animation is easier than you think. Whether you dream of one day releasing your animated madness into the world, or you just love to spend time looking, an introduction to stop motion animation could be for you.

So you decided to become Aardman next. You will need some digital electronic equipment and all the supplies.

We shall have an end with the precious; digital media, because all the movements and figures in in won’t be on their own, because it won’t be a playable movie by itself . Stop motion animation can be captured using a digital still camera or a digital video camera. In my experience, I prefer to use digital cameras, only for the larger storage capacity of the captured images. as three second clips.

When you get the device, you will need the software. My personal preference is for Adobe Premier, although versions above 6.5 have stopped carrying the stop motion capture feature. For a list of alternative video editing programs and possible camera options, visit

For a more detailed description of the stop motion capture process in Adobe Premier, visit here.

Once you’ve decided how to get your film and finger to go, the next step is to get some film. But before we get into extended projection, you should do a few experiments. Start by transforming the balls of clay into other shapes. what a very important thing. You will probably find that the huge amount of data for a few simple moves seems to be completely insufficient. This is more common because it is an exact goal that you are trying to achieve. When filming at thirty frames per second, the movements became smaller. If you have difficulty with this, you can film as heavy as fifteen frames per second without losing fluidity.

Once you’ve worked out the time frame in the process, it’s time to tackle your entire claim. The very first thing you need to do is plan your second move in advance. This sounds overwhelming, but it’s easy to take one step at a time. Start a story and visualize the involved scenes. To create a storyboard, which is a loosely drawn comic strip, shot the film. Make notes of the small movements and details of the action. Believe me; the more you think, the less headaches you’ll have when you get to the film.

You need an off-limits space where the light can be completely controlled. If the room is not large enough to work in, make sure the scene is placed in an area that does not have extra light and is out of reach of children, caregivers or friends. A small, insignificant bump at the wrong time can ruin a day’s worth of work.

Create a small set. The size is completely up to you, but smaller shapes mean less material and less space needed for production. That’s just to put the employee’s result as a bad person. Depending on the location of the necessary shots, he thought. If, for example, you plan to throw it at an upward angle, you will need a ceiling. If you’re only planning one shot down, you’ll only need a floor covering one or two walls. Your goal is to create the illusion of a functional space.

Now he needs talent. For beginners, simple wire armatures or skeleton carvings should be used. The goal is to create a literal skeleton for your character by twisting flexible wire together. Make the wire tight enough to support the shape and flexible enough to bend in small increments. Small glue, magnets flat feet skeletons for walking behavior, although the walking character is tricky and advanced. difficult to achieve as a beginner.

Oil clay is traditionally used for Claymation, but it is messy and difficult to mix colors For beginners, I recommend using Sculpeium polymer-beads”>polymer clay, which is as tough as oil clay but The disadvantage is that after several months Sculpey will dissolve the clay around the metal skeleton.

Now the real fun can begin; filming the movie Mount your camera on a sturdy tripod, and attach a heavy one if possible. Since touching the tripod can invariably lead to continuous jumps, the device with is essential.

Start filming and watch as the days fly by! Seriously though, take it one scene at a time, and follow your instructions (You did remember to think and order, right?) Do your job, and don’t be afraid to cut some scenes out of the movie when you know it. What a huge deal your twenty minute movie is looking forward to.

For a more detailed description of the stop motion capture process in Adobe Premier, visit www.ryerson.ca/rta/handbook/animation_guides/stop_motion_setup_guide.htm

The process is long, tedious, and sometimes even mind-numbing. But remember, you are worth what you love. There is no other reason to embark on the wild, anachronistic seas of Claymation.

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