Stop-motion Animation explores how all the elements of film-making - camera work, design, colour, lighting, editing, music and storytelling - come together in this unique art form. With tips and suggestions to help you get the most out of your films, and with examples from some of the masters of the craft, Barry Purves shows how to make the most of the movement, characters and stories that typify stop-motion.
With dozens of beautiful new examples from around the world, this new edition includes a project in each chapter, with pointers on finding a story and characters, developing a script and storyboard, constructing puppets and dealing with the practicalities of film-making. These projects combine to lead you through the creation of your first one-minute stop-motion animation.
Chapter 1: What is Stop-Motion?
The Beginnings
The Illusion of Movement
Physicality
A Continuous Performance
Special Effects
Wholly Animated Films
Project 1: Find Your Style
Chapter 2: Focusing the Idea
Stories and Themes
Approaching the Story
A Change of Perspective
Out of the Mouths of... Talking Umbrellas?
Atmosphere and Substance
Economics
Project 2: What's the Story?
Chapter 3: The Puppets
Telling the Story with Puppets
The Physical Puppet
Telling Characteristics
Stylised Movement
Replacements
3D Printing
Eyes
Hands
Puppet Size
Clay
Other Techniques
Project 3: Find Your Leading Man (or mouse)
Chapter 4: Preparations
Working with Others
Sets
Costume
Colour
Project 4: Set the Scene
Chapter 5: Chapter Tools and Techniques
Practicalities
The Camera
Apps and other Low-Cost Options
Lighting
Sound
Dialogue
Special Effects
Editing
Project 5: Setting Up and Getting Started
Chapter 5: Movement and Performance
Animating on the Set
Lively Movement
Helping the Movement
Performance
Project 6: Make it Read!
Conclusion; A Brief History of Stop-Motion; Picture Credits; Acknowledgements
