History Of Stop Motion Animation

Stop Motion animation is a technique that makes an object to appear like it is moving on its own through photography and film. The first stop motion technique was created in 1887 by Albert E Smith and J Start Blackton called “Humpty Dumpty Circus”. The piece features a circus filled wit acrobats and animals and this was created by circus dolls that had jointed limbs because it can be balanced in place. The technique was first discovered by accident from a French film maker called George Melies. He was shooting a street scene and the film got stuck in the camera gate which made it continue to film from where he left it. Eventually the film created a scene that found pedestrians and vehicles moving across the street. In 1906 the creators of “Humpty Dumpty Circus” created a new piece called “Humorous Phases Of Funny Faces” which was seen as the first animated film recorded on a film. The piece was created by 20 pictures to make up one second of the film. Stop Motion animation has continued to be adapted and developed throughout the years into modern stop-motion films.

The Lost World 1925
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Kt-dT0N4w

 

 

 

King Kong 1933
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFDI64KNgts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nightmare Before Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOtEdhKOMgQ

 

 

Chicken Run 2000
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEOfT7hUcDs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coraline 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO3n67BQvh0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Types Of Animation

Clay Animation

From the 1990s animators have used plasticine to create characters and special effects because clay figures can be easily adjusted and shaped. This allows the camera to take photographs easily of the clay figures every time it has been changed. Wire sculptures are also used within the plasticine to allow the clay figures to be shaped easily to allow different positions to be made. The most famous clay animation figures include “Wallace And Gromit” and “Morph”. Morph is an animated clay character who made his TV debut in 1977 for the BBC. The original format and story is still used today and the traditional stop-motion clay animation is continued to be used to create the TV program.


Morph Clay Animation Set Taken From The
Animotion Exhibition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3-MOfcxrBs&index=4&list=PLwl_qAJgXE-oaKSU1HKppdiB5DPmfJktQ- This is a clip taken from the original Morph TV show in 1977

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkRBgKdoPZw - This video clip is taken from the modern Morph TV show which has been broadcasted on TV and YouTube since 2015.

 

Wallace And Gromit

 

 

 Cut Out Animation

Cut Out animation is the process where cut outs from paper and other 2D objects are used to create a stop-motion animation piece.  The Filmmakers employ graphic designers and computers to produce specific cut outs for stop motion animation pieces which allows them to be accurate when the final animation is produced.



Cut Out Animation Paper Outline

Graphic Animation

Graphic stop motion combines flat 2D animation and drawing animation. Images are created in frames and altered in frames in order to create an effective stop-motion piece which is successful.

Puppet Animation

Example Figures Of Puppet Animation

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Puppet animation is a process that includes photography capturing each movement that the puppet produces to create a final stop-motion animation piece. The puppets can be made from a variety of materials including wire and wood which can all be modified and changed to create a successful stop-motion animation piece.


Puppet Characters Taken From The Movie
"ParaNorman".

Stop Motion Animators

Ray Harryhausen

Ray Harryhausen is one of the most iconic figures in the world of cinematic art and stop-motion animation. He has developed stories based around legends and mythology which created a unique genre of fantasy films during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. His movies include “Clash Of Titans” 1981 and “Tulips Shall Grow” 1942. He is an inspiration to young animators and many movies and short films have been influenced by his own work.

Willis O Brien

Willis O Brien is a pioneer of American stop motion animation. After the production of “King Kong”, Willis worked for another gorilla movie “Mighty Joe Young” which led to him winning an Academy Award for “Best Visual Effects”. He spent his spare time sculpting and illustrating his natural talent led to him being employed as a draftsman in an architect’s office. Willis O Brien has inspired other stop motion animators including Ray Harryhausen.