Specialization in Stop Motion

Influences | Lourdes Villagómez

In this lesson Lourdes tells us a little about her life in the world of animation and some of its references.

Influences | Estudio Agite

Katsuhiro Otomo, Moebius, Hayao Miyazaki, Weta Workshop, John Kelly, and many more are our most precious sources of inspiration. Traditional animation, scale scenarios, dioramas, puppets, stop-motion, art toys, manual modeling, 3D modeling, video mapping, we are fans of all how we can express emotions and represent content in a close, entertaining and easy way to understand.

Influences | Mab & Becho (Can Can Club)

In this lesson we will show you who inspired us to do animation, our teachers and the works we admire. You will also see examples of exercises and animations that will be references for our final exercise. References to other works can be very good allies and generate value in your animations, they can trigger other ideas, give us the possibility of knowing new resources and / or forms of animation, and also serve to be updated. When you have an idea, we recommend you always look for references that can inspire you and open your horizons so that this idea grows.

Influences | Jorge Isaac (Wasaisa)

My love for art, fashion and music have led me to be inspired in many ways and have led me to constantly reinvent the way I see the world and what surrounds me. In this lesson, I am going to share some of them with you.

Module 2

Create your own animated film with modeling clay, sand, or cutouts

16 lessons (3h 16m)

Brief personal history of stop motion

Here we make a quick introduction to some films that we consider indispensable, you will find the links to see them complete in the additional material.

Basic concepts of animation

Here we will give a brief explanation of how the animation works. we will tell you the different ways to animate frame by frame.

Materials and tools

We will make a recount of the materials and tools that we can use to stop motion.

Animation software

We will talk about how Dragonframe works, the software that we will use to animate and export our animations to video.

Create a story concept and storyboard

In this lesson we will talk about some ways to develop an idea.

Characters and sets

We will learn about characters and sets and what we should take into account when building them.

Almost anything is animatable, in this lesson we will see some examples.

Animation of objects I

Animation of objects II

In this video we will see another way to animate objects

In this lesson we will see another way of animation, the cutouts (collage and silhouettes). you will discover a very fun and easy to carry out method.

Animation of cut-outs I

Animation with cutouts III

Animation of cutouts II

This is the second part

Now let's see how to work with multiplayer reminders on glass

Animation of sand and plasticine on glass I / I

Here we will learn how to animate with materials such as sand and plasticine on backlit glass. For this technique you have to arm yourself with a lot of patience. We start with the sand.

Animation of sand and plasticine on glass I / II

The second part

Animation of sand and plasticine on glass II / I

We begin to see how to treat plasticine

14m

Animation of sand and plasticine on glass II / II

This is the second part

How to look for grants and festivals

In this lesson we explain some considerations that you have to take into account to look for grants and participate in festivals.

Before starting, it is important to be clear about some concepts. I will give you an introduction to the world of photomotion and I will tell you how to produce them and for whom to produce this type of content.

Module 3

Get started in photomotion by learning to take pictures with fresh concepts to make creative stop-motion pieces

11 lessons (1h 6m)

What is a photomotion?

Get inspired!

When you get inspired, the possibilities become endless! I will teach you how to prepare to carry out a photomotion project. You will learn different techniques that will help you better visualize your projects.

What are you going to use and what are you going to do?

The most fun and cool thing about making art is not limiting your creativity. In this lesson, I will show you the working method I use to create a photomotion.

Prepare your camera

To begin with, you will learn what the best settings are for your camera to capture the best possible photomotion sequence.

Prepare your set!

Before you start preparing your set you need to think about what you are looking for. Once you are clear about your goal, then you can start preparing it. In this lesson I will share some tips so you can create the set in the best possible way.

Start the action

Here's how to take the best shots. I will also share some tips to make your lighting look amazing.

12m

The pictures

I'm done taking the photos! So now I will show you how to define the direction of the project, in other words, you will learn how to curate and select the photos.

Lightroom

In this lesson, I'll show you how to retouch and colorize the photos I'm going to use for the project using Lightroom.

Import into Final Cut Pro and organize the project

We are already reaching the final stretch. Now you will see how to prepare the edited content in Lightroom to start creating the photomotion pieces.

The end piece

I'll explain how to edit the photos and start shaping the sequence. I will share some tricks and shortcuts to achieve an exceptional project.

How to sell your project to a potential client

One of the challenges we have as artists or content creators is to sell our projects. In this last lesson I am going to teach you how to sell a project to a potential client.

Module 4

Animate your ideas with everyday objects and record videos for social media by experimenting with stop motion techniques

14 lessons (2h 11m)

History of stop motion

In this lesson we will take a brief journey through the history of stop motion animation and we will show you the work of some of our favorite authors.

Materials

Next, we will talk about the tools and materials you need to get started. From everyday objects to recycled materials, you will see that you can easily find materials and everything you need to make your animation.

Configuration and software

Technology that was once only used by professional animators is now available to everyone. In this lesson we will explain how applications to make animation on your smartphone or tablet work.

Here we will talk about how to bring your animations to life in a correct way, applying some basic concepts.

Stop motion basics 1

We continue to review the key concepts of the technique that we are learning in the course.

Stop motion basics 2

Preparing our set

In this lesson we are going to see how to prepare the work environment at home. We will review the necessary materials and see the importance of light and the environment.

Animate with objects

Any object can become a character! In this lesson we are going to see how to give life to the most unsuspected objects.

Now we are going to see what pixilation consists of: the animation of people. We will achieve fantastic movements that we cannot perform when recording in real time.

Animate people

Timelapse

In this lesson we are going to see what timelapse or timed photography consists of: quickly visualize processes that last much longer; the movement of clouds, the growth of a plant ... It is a very interesting resource!

Search for inspiration

In this lesson we are going to explain how to find inspiration. You have to look at the world with a curious look and write down or take photos with all the ideas you come across.

Scene planning

We have to be very clear about what we are going to animate, what action is going to take place and where we are going to do the animation. A good organization is a sure success. Let's see how to do it!

Scene animation

In this lesson we are going to start working on the animation that we will do as a final project. In our case we are going to animate a stroller, animating it in such a way that it goes through different places.

Editing and audio

Once the animation is finished, it is time to edit it and add both sound and some graphic elements.

12m

Share our work

In this lesson we are going to give you tips to share your work. We will tell you about our experience promoting and spreading our projects on different social networks.

Module 5

Explore different methods for creating an original diorama animation using stop motion and live action

26 lessons (6h 34m)

Animate In Multiple Dimensions

For our animated project, we will use three types of animation: 2D animation, also called "traditional animation", stop motion animation (our manual "3D" using built objects, toys, and things), and real video recording. Each requires a different preparation so that, when put together, we achieve a consistent and credible composition and sequence.

Diorama: From Idea to Reality

We will do a brainstorming session where every idea, no matter how crazy it may seem, is valid. This is where we will get the raw materials to create our diorama What did you eat yesterday at 7 at night? What color did it have? What did you see while walking your dog? What do you see through your window right now? Everything around us is potential material for our scene and to spark our imagination.

Sketch, Color, and Storyboard 1

Here you will learn to make a sketch full of details and color that will serve as a guide throughout the assembly and construction process of the diorama. This sketch will help us collect all the props that we will use in our scene.

Sketch, Color and Storyboard 2

Here, we will develop a storyboard that will guide all the animated moments and animation techniques that each element of our diorama will require.

Sketch, Color and Storyboard 3

The last step in our sketching is to colorize it: we are going to apply the color palette that we selected, experiment with it in the sketch, and color the inhabitant of our diorama.

In this lesson, we will put together all the pieces that make up our diorama: the MDF parts of our platform, the main character, animated elements in plasticine scene, and general scenery (floor and general background). We will teach you to achieve that all the parts of your composition have unity, proportion, and consistency so that each of its elements vibrates in the recording.

Building Our Diorama

Shooting Plan: Lights, Camera, Animation!

Our diorama is a surreal mini-world where a hand activates the mechanism of a square head totem with four faces. Our character is standing on a platform full of colors, located on an island of grass, which, in turn, stands on a plain with geometric shapes around it. The faces of our totem change in size and shape as time passes. It sounds crazy, but, it will look great! We already want to see your dioramas. Will they be as crazy as this?

Setting Up Our Workspace

We are going to prepare our recording set. Using easy-to-find elements, you will learn how to compose a homemade endless out of paper. You will learn how to light a scene using homemade desk lamps and a work table. We are also going to share essential tips to keep in mind when recording and save you hours of computer retouching.

Stop-Motion Animation

In this lesson, we will learn the basics that make up a stop motion animation. We will define the number of frames necessary to achieve a fluid movement and in a loop sequence and the most used settings in the camera that you have on hand. Do not worry if you have never animated stop motion, here you will learn the basic pillars of all animation in sequence of images.

Now we will record the hand entering the scene and interacting with the diorama. We will teach you a couple of tricks to make the hand, and its interaction with the diorama, feel real. Also, we will see the difference between using our camera to take photos and recording video. Do not worry if you have never recorded for production, we will teach you the basic pillars.

Live Action Animation

Digital Preparation (Footage)

Our production marathon left us with a ton of photo and video files that need to be carefully cataloged and selected before jumping into the timeline in After Effects. Not everything we record we are going to use. In this lesson, we will learn the essential characteristics that our material must fulfill so that it can be part of our “Master Timeline” in After Effects.

Timeline Montage and Composition 1

In this series of lessons, we will do magic. Using Adobe After Effects, we will join in a very simple way all the stop-motion shots and, as if by magic, we will make our hand enter the scene and activate the entire diorama.

15m

Montage and Composition of Timeline 2

Now, we are going to show you the best way to incorporate all the recorded material through masks and software tricks. We'll be working on the layers in our project in After Effects and doing some frame-by-frame testing.

Timeline Montage and Composition 3

Following our storyboard, we will finish incorporating the sequences to make it seem that everything happens at the same time and in one shot.

In the following lessons, we will see how 2D elements can add visual richness to our diorama.

2D Animation 1

We are going to highlight, by means of simple animated strokes in Photoshop and After Effects, the vibration that comes out when activating our mechanism, as well as the flashes left by the head of the totem every turn and the slow movement of the clouds moving through the imaginary skies of our scene.

2D Animation 2

Lastly, we are going to animate the headlines that appear when you turn your head. The result of these sequences will be a PSD file that we will then import into After Effects.

2D Animation 3

Color Editing and Final Render 1

Finally, we will give the final touch to our animated diorama: unifying the color and effects so that everything looks uniform during the entire sequence. We will start by creating a zero-point to generate a still image that we can return to during the process.

Color Editing and Final Render 2

Now we will review the issue of "timing" for this process. We will work our layers sing both Photoshop and After Effects, and we will add a layer for each "phase" of color and retouch.

21m

Color Editing and Final Rendering 3

Here we will work with different masks to adjust the times, "clean" our scene, verify that the colors of the different shots are level, and make the changes we need to achieve the "one-shot effect."

Color Editing and Final Render 4

We continue, on the fly, designing our scene. We continue to make speed adjustments on some elements and work on their coloring as well. Each process is different and will require our attention from start to finish: the key is to be patient and do as much experimenting as necessary.

14m

Color Editing and Final Render 5

Now, we will work on the 2D elements: the clouds and flashes. We will organize their movements and define the color of each one. To achieve this, we will use a mask with the silhouette of our diorama that we will make in Photoshop.

Color Editing and Final Render 6

Now, we will work on the head-turning sequence of our totem.

Color Editing and Final Render 7

We are getting closer to the finishing touches: we will concentrate on the shots in our live-action sequence. We will work on unifying the color and resolution with the rest of the animation.

Color Editing and Final Render 8

To give our animation more realism and depth, we will blur the background clouds and give more focus as they get closer to the front. After we are going to level our general color, we will use the "Photo Filter" and "Lumetri" options, this will allow us to level the color of our entire scene to our liking. Finally, we will add one more adjustment layer, this time to add "Vibrance", which will help us "explode" the colors and ranges of our composition, filling our scene with life.

Color Editing and Final Render 9

Once our scene looks great on-screen, it's time to render! For our render, we can opt for the H.264 format in MOV or MP4. The first will give us less color loss, but a little more weight. The second will be lighter and more compatible, but the color may vary a little. For this, we will show you a couple of adjustments that you can apply before rendering so that the color change and weight are optimal in any format chosen.

Module 6

Learn and perfect your claymation techniques with Dragonframe

20 lessons (5h 38m)

Basic installation

We are going to organize the workspace. Here we present tips and recommendations to have a firm, stable and comfortable set. Then we show you how to download the software, in our case we use the Dragonframe. If you do not have it yet, there is a free trial version that you can use during the course.

Software operation I

We will briefly review the operation of the software. You will see how to create a new project, set the camera and the main functions of the animation and photography window.

We continue explaining how the Dragonframe works.

Operation of software II

15m

Software Tips I

In this lesson we will review more advanced functions of the Dragonframe, we will share small tricks and helps so you can get the best out of the software. You will see the use of virtual holds, multiple exposures and exports among other things. Here it gets good.

10m

Software Tips II

In this lesson we continue with the Dragonframe tips.

15m

Rebounds I

You are ready? In this first lesson we will bounce a plasticine ball in a labyrinth of steps taking into account the notions of gravity and inertia. Start playing!

24m

Rebound II

We continue with the bouncing exercise of our ball.

All good work takes its analysis. In this lesson we will analyze the curves of what we have just done. This is a very important part of learning because it is where we fix the knowledge. Therefore, we will make that analysis and propose to redo the exercise.

Analysis

25m

Will

Here we redouble the bet and add another force to our animation, the will. This time, we will make our plasticine ball walk, jump and climb in a maze with a life of its own.

27m

Analysis

Again it is fundamental to see what we did and to apply all our attention to a thorough analysis. To do this we will see some key places of the exercise, frame by frame, and review some concepts.

We arrive at the unit's last lesson and it gets more and more complex. For this instance we will do a couple of quick transformation exercises. We will use a ball of plasticine that allows us to change it frame by frame, but we will also incorporate replacements (pre-made modeling in the same way) and other resources. It's going to be fun and challenging because we get off the plane and deal with gravity.

Transformation

26m

Analysis

We will repeat it until we are tired, we have to analyze what we did. Here is our analysis of what we encouraged in the previous lesson. In this instance, it is essential to recognize the strengths and the points to improve, so you can see what times it is necessary to repeat in order to reach the result we expect.

Plan the animation

In this lesson we will see how to create the tips of an animation and how to set the timing to have a guide of where and when to arrive. Here the idea is already at stake to animate and its armed.

12m

The time of the final judgment I

We are nearing the end of our course and we continue to encourage. As we told you at the beginning, this has a floor but not a roof. We share how to make and animate an 11-second curtain.

The hour of final judgment II

We continue with the curtain.

The hour of final judgment III

We continue with the curtain.

The hour of final judgment IV

We continue with the curtain.

We continue with our curtain.

The judgment hour V

The time of final judgment VI

Last part of the animation of our curtain.