Unit 33 - stop motion
For years now, Stop-motion techniques have been used to create animated images for film and other use.
The first recorded use of stop motion techniques was in the year 1898. It was the work of Albert E. Smith and J. Stuart; together under their Vitagraph Company they made the first Stop Motion (object motion) film called “The Humpty Dumpty Circus”. The Humpty Dumpty Circus used small Circus dolls, which were changed throughout the film by moving their limbs and joints. He made these films using a series of pictures taken every second. This how all stop-motion and cartoon shows are made.
Stop motion has been in use right up to the current day with shows like Wallace & Gromit, Fat Slags, The Clangers, and Bagpuss. Stop motion has been a favourite among many people for years now and has been incorporated in Music video and films too.
The first recorded use of stop motion techniques was in the year 1898. It was the work of Albert E. Smith and J. Stuart; together under their Vitagraph Company they made the first Stop Motion (object motion) film called “The Humpty Dumpty Circus”. The Humpty Dumpty Circus used small Circus dolls, which were changed throughout the film by moving their limbs and joints. He made these films using a series of pictures taken every second. This how all stop-motion and cartoon shows are made.
Stop motion has been in use right up to the current day with shows like Wallace & Gromit, Fat Slags, The Clangers, and Bagpuss. Stop motion has been a favourite among many people for years now and has been incorporated in Music video and films too.
There are many other ways, in which animations were made in the pre cinema times. There were attempts at making images move since the 1600s, most of them incorporated a circular object with an image around the edge which changed, which, when was in motion gave the appearance of a moving image.
The first attempt at this was the magic lantern made in 1650. The magic lantern was made using a translucent oil painting, a simple lens and a candle or oil lamp. When this was used in a dark room an image would appear projected onto a flat surface. People used it back then to project demonic looking creatures. Some of the slides for the magic lantern had moving parts that meant that people could give the illusion that the image was in fact moving. The magic lantern was seen to have use in theatre productions, as it was able to show images of skeletons and ghouls.
The first attempt at this was the magic lantern made in 1650. The magic lantern was made using a translucent oil painting, a simple lens and a candle or oil lamp. When this was used in a dark room an image would appear projected onto a flat surface. People used it back then to project demonic looking creatures. Some of the slides for the magic lantern had moving parts that meant that people could give the illusion that the image was in fact moving. The magic lantern was seen to have use in theatre productions, as it was able to show images of skeletons and ghouls.
In 1824 we saw the invention of the Thaumatrope, which quite simply was a small disk that had different pictures either side. The Thaumatrope had strings either sides which the user would quickly twiddle between their fingers which would make the two images appear as they are combining into one solid image.
Take for instance the Thaumatrope that used a bird and a cage as the images. You can see that with constant quick turning of the Thaumatrope the images appear to merge as one like the bird in the cage.
Take for instance the Thaumatrope that used a bird and a cage as the images. You can see that with constant quick turning of the Thaumatrope the images appear to merge as one like the bird in the cage.
The next animation attempt at stop motion was the Phenakistoscope. The Phenakistoscope used a spinning disk, which had sequential images on it. On the right you can see an example of a Phenakistoscope. The image on the right shows a Phenakistoscope with the images of a couple waltzing.
A few years after the success of the Phenakistoscope William George Horner invented the Zoetrope concept in 1834 and from the 1860s it was marketed as the Zoetrope. It works in the same ways as the Phenakistoscope in the sense that, it was a cylindrical spinning mechanism with several frames of animation printed on a strip of paper, which was placed around the circumference of the interior.
The person who uses the Zoetrope would pretty much do the same as they would when they used the Phenakistoscope. They would observe through the vertical slits around the sides to view the moving images on the other side as the cylinder spins.
The Zoetrope proved to be more effective than its predecessor the Phenakistoscope. This is because the Zoetrope was able to be viewed by many people at once due to its cylindrical shape, the wasn’t the case for the Phenakistoscope as it was a flat piece of paper which only one person could look at a time.
The person who uses the Zoetrope would pretty much do the same as they would when they used the Phenakistoscope. They would observe through the vertical slits around the sides to view the moving images on the other side as the cylinder spins.
The Zoetrope proved to be more effective than its predecessor the Phenakistoscope. This is because the Zoetrope was able to be viewed by many people at once due to its cylindrical shape, the wasn’t the case for the Phenakistoscope as it was a flat piece of paper which only one person could look at a time.
As time progressed a few years, the start of hand drawn animation or cartoons began. 1868 saw the first flipbook animation by John Barnes Linnett, it was known as the Kineograph. A flipbook is simply a small nook with reasonably springy pages, each page having one in a sequence of animation images towards the outer corner of each page. To use the flipbook the user would bend all of the pages backwards and, like the older three mechanisms (Thaumatrope, Phenakistoscope and Zoetrope) the illusion of motion is created because of a sudden replacement of the succeeding image in the series. This was apparent with the Thaumatrope ect…
However unlike the older three mechanisms the Flipbook didn’t have any view shutters or assembly of mirrors, as the only viewing device needed was the users thumb.
However unlike the older three mechanisms the Flipbook didn’t have any view shutters or assembly of mirrors, as the only viewing device needed was the users thumb.
Unlike the older mechanisms the Flipbook wasn’t really limited by the amount of images it could have in one series. The older mechanisms by their nature seriously limited the amount of images that could be used without making the device quite large or the images unusably small.
On the right you can see how the Kineograph works. The image changes slightly with each page.
On the right you can see how the Kineograph works. The image changes slightly with each page.
The Kineograph paved the way for succeeding Hand drawn animation films; it was massively popular and proved to be very successful.
In 1877 a device called the Praxinoscope was made, the inventor, Charles-Emile-Reynaud. The original Praxinoscope was simply an improved version of the former Zoetrope. The Praxinoscope differed from the Zoetrope because it didn’t have tiny slits in which you would look through; instead you had a series of mirrors around the centre in which you would see the images reflected onto.
Reynaud made the moving picture show the Theatre Optique with a modified version of the Praxinoscope. This modified version of the Praxinoscope involved a lamp, and this lamp was used to project the images on to a small screen for people to watch.
The Theatre Optique was the first projected image to be shown in public. The Theatre Optique premiered at a place called the Musée Grévin, which is in Paris. This event saw the attendance of more than 500,000 people!
The first traditional hand drawn film recorded using standard picture film and that included animated series was the “1900 Enchanted Drawing”. It was followed first by a completely animated film known as “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces” released by J. Stuart Blackton. J. Stuart Blackton is seen as the originator of American animation as his film “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces” is the first film to be fully animated.
Since the start of the 1900s, the silent era began. It housed the films belonging to the section to be known as traditional animation creation.
From the 1900s and on animation got bigger and bigger, with new techniques and options available for use by animators and such. More and more Cartoons were being made, Tom & Jerry, Snow White and the seven Dwarfs the list goes on…
Stop motion was and still is in use right up to the current day. The middle of the 1990s you will find that stop motion began to have competition with a revolutionary method of animating, CGI (Computer Graphic imagery). CGI is now the most popular form of animating with films all across the genres using CGI to create surreal backgrounds or to give the impression that characters are somewhere else.
Animation has gone from early images to motion images through Zoetropes all the way to computer imagery.
In 1877 a device called the Praxinoscope was made, the inventor, Charles-Emile-Reynaud. The original Praxinoscope was simply an improved version of the former Zoetrope. The Praxinoscope differed from the Zoetrope because it didn’t have tiny slits in which you would look through; instead you had a series of mirrors around the centre in which you would see the images reflected onto.
Reynaud made the moving picture show the Theatre Optique with a modified version of the Praxinoscope. This modified version of the Praxinoscope involved a lamp, and this lamp was used to project the images on to a small screen for people to watch.
The Theatre Optique was the first projected image to be shown in public. The Theatre Optique premiered at a place called the Musée Grévin, which is in Paris. This event saw the attendance of more than 500,000 people!
The first traditional hand drawn film recorded using standard picture film and that included animated series was the “1900 Enchanted Drawing”. It was followed first by a completely animated film known as “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces” released by J. Stuart Blackton. J. Stuart Blackton is seen as the originator of American animation as his film “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces” is the first film to be fully animated.
Since the start of the 1900s, the silent era began. It housed the films belonging to the section to be known as traditional animation creation.
From the 1900s and on animation got bigger and bigger, with new techniques and options available for use by animators and such. More and more Cartoons were being made, Tom & Jerry, Snow White and the seven Dwarfs the list goes on…
Stop motion was and still is in use right up to the current day. The middle of the 1990s you will find that stop motion began to have competition with a revolutionary method of animating, CGI (Computer Graphic imagery). CGI is now the most popular form of animating with films all across the genres using CGI to create surreal backgrounds or to give the impression that characters are somewhere else.
Animation has gone from early images to motion images through Zoetropes all the way to computer imagery.
TREATMENT:
Working title: Pertubator Mach III
Introduction: My Stop-Motion film follows a high-speed race between rival racers as they battle it out for glory. Drifting around corners and going full speed down straights, the race is on!
The Target Audience: In my film there won’t be anything for younger viewers shouldn’t be seeing; there are no sexual themes in this stop-motion or any particularly violent scenes. Overall I feel this stop-motion is looking to be for all ages. The main group of people who would be interested in watching this stop-motion will be car enthusiasts as this stop-motion is about a car race.
The value and ideological stance you will take and how you hope to influence your audience: I have a strong belief in greener energy methods, I feel that as a result of all of the greenhouse gasses produced by the factories and vehicles pump that pump harmful gases into the atmosphere, that we should take a stance and start investing in a greener and safer world. My stop-motion aims to try and make viewers want to start using hybrid cars rather than petrol or diesel. The way in which I will do this will be to try and show them that hybrid cars are just as good and just as fun as the regular petrol or diesel powered cars. Hopefully my stop motion makes people invest into hybrid cars.
The Context: My stop-motion will suit better on television rather than cinema, however we could possibly see my stop-motion being played before a film starts which would be great! On the whole I feel this is made more for TV
The Age: The age group I feel will most likely be the target audience is around 8 – 11 years of age
The Gender: while I hope my stop-motion is to be viewed by both genders, I feel that it may be more of interest to the male population and in particular, young males.
Interests: I myself have an interest in cars and motorcar racing, I also feel strongly about people using hybrid cars. With this knowledge I feel I can make a fun interesting stop-motion that my audience will enjoy.
Values: People who value cars and speed will most definitely like my stop motion film. It will appeal.
Institutions: Institutions are television and film companies in which people work under to make television programs. With my stop-motion, I don’t feel I need an institution to work under
Prior Knowledge: I have prior knowledge of stop motion from my studies at school. I have sufficient knowledge on how to make a stop-motion and therefore I will be able to make one of good standard.
Short Synopsis: Fiery fast, full of action, a race for the speed daemon cup!
Long Synopsis: Two fierce rivals battle it out in a fast, fiery and action packed race for the daemon cup.
Genre/Form: My film is a stop motion; it will belong to the action genre.
Length: the length of my film is looking to be about 30 seconds to a minute.
Format: The resolution for the film is going to be 1920 x 1080, the video will be full 1080P quality.
Style/Pace: The film will be relatively fast paced.
Characters: Two car models, not sure if there will be any actual characters.
Crew: Only one person will be operating a camera, so no one else is required.
Lighting: For lighting we will simply use the house lights during shots.
Schedules: We are either looking to film it in one solid block, or to either split it out and get it done over the course of a few days.
Feasibility: This film will be easily feasible, toy cars don’t cost much at all and we are renting the camera.
Sound: Sound in the film will consist of backing music and car like sound effects. Nothing else is required.
Deadline: The deadline for this film is looking to be
Monday 24th November 2014. The date as of writing this is 19th November 2014.
Equipment: The only equipment we need is as follows: Camera, Tripod, Video Editing software and a PC and/or Mac in which to edit on.
Working title: Pertubator Mach III
Introduction: My Stop-Motion film follows a high-speed race between rival racers as they battle it out for glory. Drifting around corners and going full speed down straights, the race is on!
The Target Audience: In my film there won’t be anything for younger viewers shouldn’t be seeing; there are no sexual themes in this stop-motion or any particularly violent scenes. Overall I feel this stop-motion is looking to be for all ages. The main group of people who would be interested in watching this stop-motion will be car enthusiasts as this stop-motion is about a car race.
The value and ideological stance you will take and how you hope to influence your audience: I have a strong belief in greener energy methods, I feel that as a result of all of the greenhouse gasses produced by the factories and vehicles pump that pump harmful gases into the atmosphere, that we should take a stance and start investing in a greener and safer world. My stop-motion aims to try and make viewers want to start using hybrid cars rather than petrol or diesel. The way in which I will do this will be to try and show them that hybrid cars are just as good and just as fun as the regular petrol or diesel powered cars. Hopefully my stop motion makes people invest into hybrid cars.
The Context: My stop-motion will suit better on television rather than cinema, however we could possibly see my stop-motion being played before a film starts which would be great! On the whole I feel this is made more for TV
The Age: The age group I feel will most likely be the target audience is around 8 – 11 years of age
The Gender: while I hope my stop-motion is to be viewed by both genders, I feel that it may be more of interest to the male population and in particular, young males.
Interests: I myself have an interest in cars and motorcar racing, I also feel strongly about people using hybrid cars. With this knowledge I feel I can make a fun interesting stop-motion that my audience will enjoy.
Values: People who value cars and speed will most definitely like my stop motion film. It will appeal.
Institutions: Institutions are television and film companies in which people work under to make television programs. With my stop-motion, I don’t feel I need an institution to work under
Prior Knowledge: I have prior knowledge of stop motion from my studies at school. I have sufficient knowledge on how to make a stop-motion and therefore I will be able to make one of good standard.
Short Synopsis: Fiery fast, full of action, a race for the speed daemon cup!
Long Synopsis: Two fierce rivals battle it out in a fast, fiery and action packed race for the daemon cup.
Genre/Form: My film is a stop motion; it will belong to the action genre.
Length: the length of my film is looking to be about 30 seconds to a minute.
Format: The resolution for the film is going to be 1920 x 1080, the video will be full 1080P quality.
Style/Pace: The film will be relatively fast paced.
Characters: Two car models, not sure if there will be any actual characters.
Crew: Only one person will be operating a camera, so no one else is required.
Lighting: For lighting we will simply use the house lights during shots.
Schedules: We are either looking to film it in one solid block, or to either split it out and get it done over the course of a few days.
Feasibility: This film will be easily feasible, toy cars don’t cost much at all and we are renting the camera.
Sound: Sound in the film will consist of backing music and car like sound effects. Nothing else is required.
Deadline: The deadline for this film is looking to be
Monday 24th November 2014. The date as of writing this is 19th November 2014.
Equipment: The only equipment we need is as follows: Camera, Tripod, Video Editing software and a PC and/or Mac in which to edit on.