Reviews
'A wonderful introduction to a rather complicated and unique art form.' Ray Harryhausen director of The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, and Jason and the Argonauts 'Don't attempt stop motion before you read this book! Susannah has covered everything in this no-nonsense approach to the industry.' Richard Goleszowski director of Creature Comforts and Rex the Runt 'Stop Motion contains a huge amount of valuable information for the budding stop-frame film maker. A great addition to the film craft library.' David Sproxton, co-founder and Managing Director of Aardman Animations 'Practical, informative and full of quotes from key characters in the story of the stop-frame industry. I wish I'd had this book when I was a student.' Joan Ashworth, Head of Animation, Royal College of Art 'When it comes to animating, 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.' Pat Raine Webb, Animatoon magazine, February 2004 "...a mine of information. This book gives an unrivalled detailed technical overview of the subject." The Times Higher Education Supplement "...an attractive, easy to handle paperback with clear and concise text...This is the perfect book for anyone contemplating getting into model animation." Dope Sheet "This is a truly fantastic book. If you want to learn how to do stop motion animation film-making or to do animation well, read this book closely, do the exercises and follow the instructions. This book is beautifully laid out and illustrated with copious useful diagrams and photographs." Focus magazine, 'A wonderful introduction to a rather complicated and unique art form.' Ray Harryhausen director of The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, and Jason and the Argonauts 'Don't attempt stop motion before you read this book! Susannah has covered everything in this no-nonsense approach to the industry.' Richard Goleszowski director of Creature Comforts and Rex the Runt 'Stop Motion contains a huge amount of valuable information for the budding stop-frame film maker. A great addition to the film craft library.' David Sproxton, co-founder and Managing Director of Aardman Animations 'Practical, informative and full of quotes from key characters in the story of the stop-frame industry. I wish I'd had this book when I was a student.' Joan Ashworth, Head of Animation, Royal College of Art 'When it comes to animating, 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.' Pat Raine Webb, Animatoon magazine, February 2004
Table of Content
acknowledgements chapter 1 introduction, playing God nature and caricature what this book is for chapter 2 getting equipped what is your aim? recording formats film video/DV animation software/frame grabbers essential and non-essential extras the animator''s toolkit lighting editing/sound rough guide to film/video or DV recording budgets glossary chapter 3 getting animated animating familiar objects as a first approach timing: single frame or double frame? notes on movement first experiments: the bouncing ball the dope sheet/X-sheet planning chapter 4 keep it simple, developing your story idea script treatment planning your shots, basic film grammar/composition of shots the storyboard editing animatics and story reels chapter 5 coat hangers for armatures making your own model character design working with modelling clays making your own puppet chapter 6 model makers, the professionals the maquette ball and socket armature mould making, hard and soft moulds casting colouring costumes/dressing glossary of model making materials chapter 7 four walls and a sky, sets and props research the look design and building of sets interior sets exterior sets forced perspective making props rigging glossary of materials for sets chapter 8 sound advice pre production recording dialogue lip sync sound breakdown chapter 9 the mechanics of movement studies from observation posing the model timing weight anticipation, action and reaction walking and running the illusion of speed animal and bird movement chapter 10 the performance character animation comedy and comic timing subtle character animation chapter 11 filming filming information lighting motion control health and safety issues special effects tips and hints final checks before you hit that button sending your film to the labs glossary chapter 12 post production timecode sound chapter 13 getting the job the business of animation know your limitations different work, different studios commercials series TV specials and features applying for jobs your showreel festivals sending proposals to commissioning editors bibliography appendix 1 software, camera and recording equipment suppliers appendix 2 manufacturers and outlets appendix 3 calendar of animation festivals and film festivals incorporating animation appendix 4 animation courses that include or specialize in stop motion and related organizations and websites
