How to Make a Mini Claymation Movie
Claymation is a fun and expressive way to start animating. Unlike other forms of animation, the basics of claymation can be learned and applied quickly. The software for claymation is less complicated than other animation techniques and is often available for free. The instant gratification provided by claymation can be addictive, and with more experience, the results can be dazzling. Claymation is appropriate for all ages and combines several skills for well-rounded activity.
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Instructions
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Choose a good oil-based clay that will not harden or dry out. Plasticine clay and its variants are commonly available in hobby stores and provide excellent color choices. Cheaper water-based clays are not effective for claymation.
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Install stop-motion software. There are many options for animation programs, but a good place to start is MonkeyJam software. This program is widely respected and available for free download. After gaining some experience with the claymation process, you may upgrade to more robust software later if desired.
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Sculpt the characters that will move in the claymation movie. Other objects, such as houses, cars and props may also be sculpted if desired. Otherwise, non-clay objects may interact with your clay characters.
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Place the digital camera on a tripod or a mini-tripod and position it on a table or other flat surface. Place all the characters and objects for the claymation movie in front of the camera in their starting positions.
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Take a picture of the scene. Move the characters, or their body parts, and other objects by a small amount and take another picture. Continue making these small incremental changes for each picture until the scene is complete. The degree of movement between each picture will determine how smoothly the claymation looks. More pictures for a given movement improve the quality of the animation but also extend the time necessary to complete it.
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Using MonkeyJam, import all the pictures from the digital camera. This is done from the File menu's Import command.
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Move the images around on the MonkeyJam time line. Drag the bottom of an image box to adjust its duration and drag the top of the box to move it to a different position.
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Watch the animation at any time by using the Preview option from the Tools menu.
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When satisfied with the project, export the movie in a standard AVI video format. This is done from the File menu. Additionally, save your work so you can continue to make changes later.
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Tips & Warnings
Start with conservative movements until you are comfortable with this animation process. Once you have completed a basic claymation movie, you can begin to make your characters move in more complex ways.
