The Basics of Claymation
Claymation is a form of stop-motion animation, typically using plasticine clay, where objects are constantly adjusted by hand and photographed to create movement on film.
About the Art of Claymation & Stop-Motion
Characters are initially made as a bendable metallic wireframe object, with clay or putty sculpted around it (more amateur methods use the plastic tubes from Q-tips). Most importantly, the backdrop and filming area must remain perfectly still at all times to ensure success for the final production. Photographs are then sorted in chronological order to create the final effect. These days, post-production usually involves programs such as Adobe AfterEffects.Claymation's appeal came from its strange and unorthodox style of animating characters - making it so hard to pull away from. Series such as Gumby in the late 1950s, and the California Raisins throughout the 1980s, put the animation technique in the limelight. It was followed up by various claymation television specials that were regualrly seen throughout the 80s.
Stop-motion methods have become unpopular after the 1980s, and are rarely seen anymore. Thanks to directors like Tim Burton and Nick Park, the process has been kept alive with modern day films such as Corpse Bride and Wallace and Gromit. Previously, stop-motion has been one of the leading forms used in special effects, especially in the 80s: with films like The Terminator, Beetlejuice, Indiana Jones, and many others.
Claymation/Stop-Motion Tutorials
Tutorial: Stopmotion
How to do stop motion
A Quick Start into Animation
Great Books About Claymation
The Art of Stop-Motion Animation
Through the magic of stop-motion animation, inanimate objects seem to spring to life. With true artistic passion and finesse, a stop-motion film evokes the nostalgia of childhood when imagination could bring toys to life. Stop-motion retains the art and performance that are the heart and soul of captivating animation. Beginning with a history of stop-motion animation, The Art of Stop-Motion Animation takes you on a unique journey?uncovering the origins of this art form and examining what continues to draw viewers to these films. Through several hands-on exercises, you?ll learn how to create puppets and how to bring them to life as you create your own stop-motion film. Interviews with industry professionals offer a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look into the undying art form of stop-motion animation.
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Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model Animation (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation)
Don't attempt stop motion before you read this book! Susannah has covered everything in this no-nonsense approach to the industry. This excellent book covers timing of movement, story development from idea to script, compositing you shots, editing and so on. Susannah's book will certainly make you want to get out there and get started on model animation.
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Creating 3-D Animation: The Aardman Book of Filmmaking
Creating 3-D Animation, originally published in 1998 and based on the work of Nick Park and Peter Lord of Aardman Animation, creators of the wildly popular Wallace and Gromit short films, has become required reading for animation courses around the world. In addition to being the most thorough treatment of 3-D puppet animation, also known as stop-action animation, the book was the first complete how-to guide that catered to both novices and experienced animators.
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Claymation and Stop-Motion Classics on DVD
Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas Plus Halloween & Easter Celebrations
Will Vinton's unique Claymation productions have won the hearts of viewers young and old. The three holiday specials presented here (Halloween, Christmas and Easter) aired originally on network television between 1987 and 1992.
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Gumby: The Very Best New Adventures of Gumby, Vol. 1
In these loveable color episodes televised during the late 1980s and early 1990s, you'll join Gumby, Pokey, Prickle, and Goo as they battle the Blockheads through the magical books of Toyland. With episodes most recently seen on Fox, Nickelodeon, and the Cartoon Network, Gumby fans now span six generations. Episodes: Skateboard Rally, Time Out, Naughty Boy, Kid Brother Kid, Jokers Wild, Clayfully Yours, To Bee Or Not To Bee, Gumby Music Video, Rip Van Prickle, Abominable Dough Man, Goo's Pies, Gumbastic.
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Wallace & Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Widescreen Edition)
A decade after their last hilarious short, the Oscar-winning A Close Shave, Claymation wonders Wallace and Gromit return for a full-length adventure. Daffy scientist Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) and his heroic dog Gromit are doing well with their business, Anti-Pesto, a varmint-hunting outfit designed to keep their English town safe from rabbits chomping on prized vegetables. Wallace meets Lady Tottington (Helena Bonham Carter), who appreciates Wallace's humane way of dealing with rabbits (courtesy of the Bun-Vac 6000), and sets up a rivalry with the gun-toting Victor Quartermaine (Ralph Fiennes, enjoying himself more than ever).
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Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Widescreen Edition)
Set in a 19th century European village, this stop-motion, animated feature follows the story of Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp), a young man who is whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious "Corpse Bride," while his real bride, Victoria, waits bereft in the land of the living.
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- luisa gurrero luisa gurrero Sep 8, 2009 @ 11:50 am
- great!
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- mbas97 mbas97 Apr 17, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
- I think stopmotion and claymation is awesome. I'm making one of my own.
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