How to Make Realistic Claymation

Use clay that stays moist to more easily adjust your characters.

Realistic Claymation is an intricate process -- an accumulation of minute changes in the environment of your clay characters. Only simple materials are needed to create your characters, props and scene. And software is available online to help piece together your photographs into a movie. Set aside a month or two to create your first Claymation film. The process gets easier with practice.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper
• Straightedge
• Pencil
• Pipe cleaners
• Foil
• Clay
• Art supplies
• Digital camera
• Computer
• Movie software
• Computer microphone

Instructions

Preparation

1. Draw panels on a piece of construction paper using a straightedge, such as a ruler. These panels represent the individual scenes of your Claymation. Draw a rough sketch of each scene, including the characters, the environment of the scene and how props will be used. Write the narrated text at the top or bottom of the scene, just as you would see in a comic strip.

2. Create the skeletons for your clay figures. Form the base of each skeleton with pipe cleaners. Twist more than one pipe cleaner together to create the appearance of arms and legs attached to a torso. Do this for each character and prop you'll use in your Claymation. Attach foam balls to the pipe cleaner necks, creating the heads of your figurines.

3. Brace the pipe cleaner skeleton to support the clay. Wrap the pipe cleaners in foil -- covering the entire surface. Put more foil at the bottom of each figure and prop, making it bottom heavy and capable of standing upright without support.

4. Add clay to the skeletons of your props and figures. Attach the clay to the foil skeleton and mold. Attach details, such as fake plastic eyes for your Claymation figurines. Press the clay down firmly, to make sure it's secure for filming.

5. Create the backdrop. Draw scenery on a piece of construction paper. Use crayons, markers, colored pencils and paints for a mixed effect. Glue on small items such as tissue paper pieces or jewels, if desired. Create a backdrop that communicates the scene you want to create, as planned on your storyboard.

Film

1. Position your backdrop, characters and props for the start of your scene. Get the desired first shot in your camera lens, and take the picture. Manipulate the scene by moving a character or prop, and take another picture. Continue doing this to develop your scene. Remember that the smaller the movements between pictures, the more realistic your scene will look.

2. Upload the pictures from your digital camera to your computer. Save them to a common folder, and title it so that the pictures are easy to find.

3. Open movie making software, such as Movie Maker for PC computers or iMovie for Mac computers. Set a time frame for your clip. Select "Import Pictures," and move your Claymation pictures from the folder you created to the blank movie clip. Place them into the clip duration in chronological order.

4. Add narration. Click on the picture of the microphone. Click "Record." Using the microphone attached or embedded in your computer, speak into the microphone to narrate the Claymation. Alternatively, add music over the pictures by importing an audio file from your computer. Set the length of the audio file to match the duration of the movie.

5. Drag the edges of the clip or audio file in and out, to change the duration. Experiment with different lengths to see which you prefer. Check your work by clicking "Play" to view what you have so far, and edit as needed. Remember to save your work, if you plan to work on it in increments.

References

• Oracle Thinkquest: Getting Started in Clay Animation