"Basics Animation: Stop-motion" explores how all the elements of film-making camera work, design, colour, lighting, editing, music and storytelling come together in this unique art form. Students will learn to use and exploit the particular types of movement, characters and stories that characterise stop-motion. The book is packed with tips and suggestions to help you get the most out of your own stopmotion films, accompanied by full-colour illustrations and case studies demonstrating how film-making masters through the years have used it in feature films, short films and TV series. "Basics Animation: Stop-motion" also examines the evolution of stopmotion, from its almost accidental beginnings to a much-loved form of storytelling in its own right one that continues to push boundaries after 110 years.
Table of Contents
Introduction. How to get the most out of this book. What is stop-motion?: The beginnings; The illusion of movement; Physicality; A continuous performance; Special effects; Wholly animated films. Focusing the idea: Stories and themes; Approaching the story; A change of perspective; Out of the mouths of...talking umbrellas?; Atmosphere and substance; Economics. The puppets: Telling the story with puppets; The physical puppet; Telling characteristics; Stylised movement; Replacements; Eyes; Hands; Puppet size; Clay; Other techniques. Preparations: Working with others; Sets; Costume; Colour. Tools and techniques: Practicalities; The camera; Lighting; Sound; Dialogue; Special effects; Editing. Movement and performance: Animating on the set; Lively movement; Helping the movement; Performance. Conclusion. A brief history of stop-motion; Picture credits. Acknowledgements. Working with ethics.
Author Biography
Barry Purves is a stop-motion animator and director with more than thirty years' experience. His films have won more than 60 major international awards, including Grand Prix's, Best Director, Best Film, and Oscar and BAFTA nominations. He has been involved with such diverse works as The Wind in the Willows, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, Chorlton and the Wheelies, Rupert Bear, Mars Attacks!, King Kong and Hamilton Mattress. Barry has held master classes in most of the major animation studios and colleges around the world and is the author of Stop Motion: Passion, Process and Performance.
