Stop Motion Experimentations

As a part of our unit, we have experimented with a variety of different techniques to create stop motion, these include.. playdoh (clay modelling/claymation), cut out, pixilation, sand and small objects. 

Playdough (clay modelling):

For this animation, we used the technique of claymation which is defined by google as 'A method of animation in which clay figures are filmed using stop-motion photography.'

The principles we used in this animation are staging and timing. Staging because we have set it directly in front of the camera, this means that the viewer only looks at the animation and nothing else. We used timing by having a certain number of frames to make the animation look more realistic and have a faster flow to the viewer. 

The good thing about using this technique to produce a stop motion animation is that you have a lot of fun doing it and you can use a variety of different principles to create a more realistic movement. 

However if I was doing this animation again I would of used the principle of Appeal so that my animation has more of a story line with maybe a character so that the audience can engage with the animation more. Furthermore, even though we used a tripod, some of the images came out  bleary or the technical word of out of focus. This means that when I was taking the photos they were not focusing enough so, I need to be more careful when taking photos so they do not come out of focus. 


Cut out: 

In this video, we have used the animation technique of cut out. The definition of cut out is 'is a technique for producing animation using flat characters, props and backgrounds cut from materials such as paper, card, stiff fabric or even photographs'.

The principles we used in this animation are staging, arcs, timing and exaggeration. We have used each of these principles to make appeal to the audience and to make it have a more realistic movement to the animation. We have used staging and timing in the same way we used for claymation. Arcs because from doing research I have discovered that arms and other body parts move in an arc or slightly circular movement. In addition to the arch, we have also used exaggeration especially on the legs, to have a comedy feel to the animation which then appeals to the audience making them interaction with the animation more.

The good thing about using this technique of animation, is that you can add human movements to your characters (if they are human that is). Also, you have much more control over the movement that your characters do.

However if I was able to do this animation again I would have created more of a storyline because at the moment it is just a load of random movement combined together to create animation, which may not appeal to all viewers. 


Sand: 

This technique is called sand animation. The principles we used in this animation are squash and stretch, timing and staging. We used squash and stretch to a sense of realism to the drop of water by adjusting the weight and volume. 

The good thing about using this technique is that you can be very artistic. Furthermore you can use a range of principles of animation, to make it more realistic and have a better flow movement.

However, if I was to create the animation again i would of taken lots more images meaning the illusion of movement would have a better flow. I have also realised that when doing this technique it takes a lot of time and patience, which is a skill you will need. Furthermore if you move the drawing too much between frames then it could lead to it looking jerky.

Pixillation: 

In this animation video we used the technique of pixilation. The term pixilation means when performers change their position slightly between different frames, to create a comic effect or a type of movement when the film is played. This type of technique is often used to blend actors with their animated ones. 

The principles we used in this animations are arcs, staging, secondary action and timing. We used the principle of arcs for the arms, as the arms follow an arch shape movement. This makes the animation much more realistic to the viewer. Secondary action because we move the arms, we need to know what moves with the arms. 

If I was to do this animation again, I would of used the principle of appeal so that my character appeals the audience member watching it so they relate more to the character. Also, I would of taken more frames because at the moment it is very jerky due to the images having a too large movement cap between them. 


Small Objects: 

I used the technique of using small objects to create an animation. The principles we used in this animation were mainly staging and timing. Just like some of the previous animation we have set the camera in front of the small object. One reason for doing this is so you are not able to see the other cars from behind also it is dead in the centre meaning you will have complete concentration on the animation. 

The good thing about using this technique is that you can use a range of objects to create a story and characters which would use the principle of appeal. However if i was doing this animation again, I would of used the principle of timing much better as, in the video there is a large part where it is very jerky meaning it don't flow easily and loses the animation touch to it or the realism of the animation.