Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model Animation

by Shaw; Susannah

• ISBN13: 9780240520551
• ISBN10: 0240520556
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-04-03
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group

Summary

To make great animation, you need to know how to control a whole world: how to make a character, how to make that character live and be happy or sad. You need to create four walls around them, a landscape, the sun and moon - a whole life for them. You have to get inside that puppet and first make it live, then make it perform. Susannah Shaw provides the first truly practical introduction to the craft skills of model animation. This is a vital book in the development of model animation which, following the success of Aardman's first full-length film, Chicken Run, is now at the forefront of modern animation. Illustrated in full colour throughout you are shown step by step how to create successful model animation. Starting with some basic exercises, you will learn about developing a story, making models, creating set and props, the mechanics of movement, filming, postproduction and how to set about finding that elusive first job in a modern studio. Susannah Shaw is Programme Development Manager for the Animated Exeter festival. She was head of the Bristol Animation Course from 1996 to 2000 at the University of the West of England and former camera assistant at Aardman (working on 'A Close Shave' among other films). * The best-selling full-color practical introduction to the craft skills of model animation * Benefit from the advice of top international animators such as Nick Park and Tim Hittle * Discover everything you need to know to be a model animator in a modern studio!

Author Biography

Susannah Shaw is an Animation Training consultant and has developed Animated Exeter, an annual UK festival

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. ix
Introduction - playing God	p. 1
What is stop motion?	p. 1
Nature and caricature	p. 5
What this book is for	p. 7
Getting equipped	p. 8
What do you need?	p. 8
Choosing a camera	p. 9
Lenses	p. 12
Animation software/frame grabbers	p. 12
Tripods	p. 15
Lighting	p. 16
The animator's toolkit	p. 18
Editing/sound	p. 18
Glossary	p. 19
Getting animated	p. 21
Animating familiar objects as a first approach	p. 21
Setting up for the first time	p. 22
Notes on movement	p. 25
Timing: single frame or double frame?	p. 27
Squash and stretch	p. 29
The dope sheet/X-sheet	p. 30
Planning	p. 32
Keep it simple - developing your story	p. 35
Idea - script - treatment	p. 35
Planning your shots - basic film grammar/composition of shots	p. 38
The storyboard	p. 43
Editing - animatics and story reels	p. 47
Coat-hangers for armatures - making your own model	p. 51
Character design	p. 51
Working with modelling clays	p. 54
Making your own puppet	p. 57
Simple wire and plasticine puppet	p. 57
Durable clothed puppet	p. 65
Model makers - the professionals	p. 76
The maquette	p. 77
Ball-and-socket armature	p. 78
Mould making - hard and soft moulds	p. 83
Casting	p. 88
Coloring	p. 93
Costumes/dressing	p. 93
Model-making masterclass - ScaryCat Studio and the Duracell bunny	p. 95
Glossary of model-making materials	p. 100
Four walls and a sky - sets and props	p. 102
Research the look	p. 102
Design and building of sets	p. 103
Interior sets	p. 108
Exterior sets	p. 109
Forced perspective	p. 110
Making props	p. 111
Rigging	p. 112
Glossary of materials for sets	p. 113
Sound advice - the voice track	p. 114
Pre-production	p. 115
Recording dialog	p. 116
Sound breakdown	p. 117
Lip sync	p. 119
Music and effects copyright	p. 124
The mechanics of movement	p. 125
Studies from observation	p. 125
Posing the model	p. 128
Timing	p. 129
Weight	p. 131
Anticipation, action and reaction	p. 134
Walking and running	p. 139
The illusion of speed	p. 142
Animal and bird movement	p. 143
Animation masterclass - Teresa Drilling	p. 147
The model	p. 148
On what creates a character	p. 150
First position	p. 150
The extreme downward position	p. 153
On Vinton's	p. 154
Beginning the upward move	p. 154
Slowing down at the top of the move	p. 158
Settling into the final position	p. 162
The performance	p. 166
Character animation	p. 166
Comedy and comic timing	p. 169
Subtle character animation	p. 173
The production process	p. 176
Lighting	p. 177
Health and safety issues	p. 180
Setting up the camera	p. 181
Shooting with a rig	p. 184
Special effects - tips and hints	p. 188
Final checks before you hit that button	p. 191
Interview with Tim Allen	p. 192
Glossary	p. 193
Post-production	p. 195
Timecode	p. 195
The picture edit	p. 196
Sound	p. 197
Titles and credits	p. 199
Exporting your final film	p. 199
Getting the job - the business of animation	p. 200
Know where you stand	p. 201
Different work, different studios	p. 201
Commercials	p. 201
Series	p. 203
TV specials and features	p. 206
Applying for jobs	p. 209
Your showreel	p. 209
Starting out as a runner	p. 210
Festivals	p. 210
Sending proposals to commissioning editors	p. 211
Bibliography	p. 213
Software and recording equipment suppliers	p. 215
Manufacturers and outlets	p. 217
Calendar of animation festivals and film festivals incorporating animation	p. 221
Animation courses that include or specialize in stop motion, and related organizations and websites	p. 235
Index	p. 247
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