Stop Motion

[David Kapuler]

I'm about to start doing a stop motion project w/ my digital art club. I haven't really done something like this since I was a kid so was wondering if anybody had any tips or software they might use for this. I purchased a claymation kit which came w/ the program frames, http://tech4learning.com/frames/index.html. I figure I could also do this in imovie. I'm thinking of just using a digital camera but was wondering if anybody uses a digital camcorder, and is so, how? Thanks for the help!!!

[Mathew Needleman]

Frames is as good as any. I'm working on a podcast with interviews with three clay animating teachers which will have more tips. I hope to have it online by the end of the week and will post again when I do.

[Mathew Needleman]

But I thought of this...a digital still camera is preferable because the image quality is better. Tip: Do not shoot pictures at maximum resolution as it's too much for Frames to handle. Shoot at TV size, approximately 720X480 for DV. And do save your work often, particularly if you're using Frames on a mac.

[David Kapuler]

Great thanks for the advice, when we are done which won't be after the new year, I'll post the projects online and send a link.

[Tim Holt]

If you are using a Mac, iMovie HD has time lapse photogrpahy built in, that you can use with the built in web cam or an attached video camera.

Here is a really cool Stop Motion program that is very popular and inexpensive at the same time:

http://www.boinx.com/istopmotion/overview/

[David Kapuler]

Thanks, I was looking at bionx a while back buy may reconsider depending on how Frames works out.

[Miranda Clemson]

Oh boy, thank you! I was playing around yesterday trying to figure out how to do this. My camera doesn't have Interval Recording unfortunately.( I read the manual cover to cover) But you pointed me in the right direction. I found this also:
http://www.creativetechs.com/iq/create_timelapse_videos_with_imovie...
I can see having some great fun with this.

[Tim Holt]

Check out this Stop Moton Podcast by David Pogue:

http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=3a3bc11ceb52c838f2992a07c517e...

[David Kapuler]

That was great I am going to show this to my kids before we start doing this project, thanks!!

[Anne Mirtschin]

Hello all. Although we are windows based computers and not macs some of this may be of interest to you. We have used a software program called Stop Motion Pro which may only be for windows based computers (cannot remember). There is a free online one called Monkey Jam but I am not sure whether that can be used on macs either. My students love using stop motion pro. We just use small web cameras to take each shot directly into the software programs. I raid the prep and grade one room for lego, matchbox cars and buy coloured plasticine. The students make simple sets with coloured paper and cardboard lids of boxes or can design backdrops in MS Paint or Powerpoint, print them and stick them into their lid. Our topics have ranged (for secondary students) from occupational, health and safety through to getting a license, basic road laws. etc. We then drop the resultant movie into Moviemaker of Vegas Movie Studio and add text etc to give a professional look. Timing of frame rates was also a key.

[Steve Putnicki]

A little off-topic: Tim Burton (Master of stop action movie making) used Canon and Nikon still cameras to shoot "Corpse Bride". Film was edited on Apple Final Cut Pro. Haven't tried this technique yet, but seems intriguing. See: http://www.stopmotionworks.com/articles/cbrdstrpdbare.htm and http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HNN/is_9_20/ai_n15874750

[David Kapuler]

Wow, I had no idea that movie was made in Final Cut Pro, very interesting site, I'll keep all these tips in mind when we tackle this project after the holidays. I'll post some links of the kids work when they finish the project up here.

Thanks

[Mathew Needleman]

Sorry that it took longer than expected but the clay animation podcast is online now along with some examples. Podcast page. It may be helpful before you begin your project.