Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model Animation (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation) (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation)

To make great animation, you need to know how to control a whole world: how to make a character, how to make that character live and be happy or sad. You need to create four walls around them, a landscape, the sun and moon - a whole life for them. You have to get inside that puppet and first make it live, then make it perform. Susannah Shaw provides the first truly practical introduction to the craft skills of model animation. This is a vital book in the development of model animation which, following the success of Aardman's first full-length film 'Chicken Run',is now at the forefront of modern animation. Illustrated in full colour throughout you are shown step by step how to create successful model animation. Starting with some basic exercises, readers will learn about developing a story, making models, creating sets and props, the mechanics of movement, filming, post production and how to set about finding that elusive first job in a modern studio. \* A full-colour, practical introduction to the craft skills of model animation \* Benefit from the advice of top international animators such as Nick Park and Tim Hittle \* The only book to provide a model animator with all they need to know to work in a modern studio Front Cover......Page 1 Stop Motion: Craft skills for model animation......Page 4 Copyright Page......Page 5 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Elements of an Animation Shoot......Page 13 chapter 1. introduction – playing God......Page 14 nature and caricature......Page 16 what this book is for......Page 19 what is your aim?......Page 21 film......Page 22 video/DV......Page 25 animation software/frame grabbers......Page 26 the animator’s toolkit......Page 28 lighting......Page 29 editing/sound......Page 30 rough guide to film/video or DV recording budgets......Page 31 glossary......Page 32 animating familiar objects as a first approach......Page 34 timing: single frame or double frame?......Page 35 notes on movement......Page 36 first experiments: the bouncing ball......Page 37 the dope sheet/X-sheet......Page 40 planning......Page 41 idea – script – treatment......Page 45 planning your shots – basic film grammar/composition of shots......Page 48 the storyboard......Page 52 editing – animatics and story reels......Page 56 character design......Page 59 working with modelling clays......Page 62 making your own puppet......Page 65 chapter 6. model makers – the professionals......Page 77 the maquette......Page 78 ball and socket armature......Page 79 mould making – hard and soft moulds......Page 84 casting......Page 89 colouring......Page 94 costumes/dressing......Page 95 glossary of model making materials......Page 96 research the look......Page 98 design and building of sets......Page 99 exterior sets......Page 104 forced perspective......Page 107 rigging......Page 108 glossary of materials for sets......Page 109 chapter 8. sound advice......Page 111 pre-production......Page 112 recording dialogue......Page 113 lip sync......Page 116 sound breakdown......Page 119 studies from observation......Page 122 posing the model......Page 125 timing......Page 126 weight......Page 128 anticipation, action and reaction......Page 131 walking and running......Page 135 the illusion of speed......Page 137 animal and bird movement......Page 138 character animation......Page 142 comedy and comic timing......Page 145 subtle character animation......Page 148 chapter 11. filming......Page 151 filming information......Page 152 motion control......Page 155 lighting......Page 156 health and safety issues......Page 157 special effects – tips and hints......Page 158 final checks before you hit that button......Page 163 glossary......Page 164 timecode......Page 166 sound......Page 168 chapter 13. getting the job – the business of animation......Page 170 commercials......Page 171 series......Page 173 TV specials and features......Page 174 applying for jobs......Page 176 your showreel......Page 177 sending proposals to commissioning editors......Page 178 bibliography......Page 182 appendix 1. software, camera and recording equipment suppliers......Page 184 appendix 2. manufacturers and outlets......Page 188 appendix 3. calendar of animation festivals and film festivals incorporating animation......Page 192 appendix 4. animation courses that include or specialize in stop motion and related organizations and websites......Page 206 index......Page 214 "Illustrated in full colour throughout you are shown step by step how to create successful model animation. Starting with some basic exercises, readers will learn about developing a story, making models, creating sets and props, the mechanics of movement, filming, post production and how to set about finding that elusive first job in a modern studio."--Jacket Susannah Shaw ; Modelmaking And Animation Sequences Created And Photographed By Cat Russ And Gary Jackson ; Illustrations Tony Guy And Susannah Shaw. Focal Press Visual Effects And Animation--cover. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.