How to Teach Stop Motion Animation in Film Class

Among my students' favorite films to make are ones with "Stop motion" animation. Stop motion is the process by which such amazing short films as the Wallace and Gromit series were made. This technique can be both time consuming and tedious at times, but the end result is amazing. Follow these steps to introduce stop motion to your students.

Instructions

1. Set up a still camera on a very sturdy tripod, because you need to make sure that the camera never moves during the process.

2. Get some LEGO people figures. I like to use LEGO people because they are stiff and easier to stand up than normal action figures.

3. Take your first shot with all of the characters out of the picture.

4. Have the figures enter the screen one tiny movement at a time. Take a picture after each tiny movement. Have the figures interact in some way.

5. Import the still pictures into iMovie at the shortest possible time length.

6. Extend the time of any picture that you want to hold a little bit longer.