Beginning stop motion?

Question

Okay, I kinda want to get into stop motion, but I don't really know what to do. Should I use a video camera that takes stills or a digital camera? Can I put it together in windows movie maker? Anything you can tell me would help...

Answer 1

If you're just starting out, don't use a digital camera, there's a sh itload of problems you need to overcome when using a digital camera for stop motion. A good webcam or camcorder is much easier to use for novice stop motion animators.

Using digital cameras for stop motion is still in its infancy, and the majority of point and click cameras are terrible and not suitable at all for animation purposes. Absolute manual controls are necessary when using a digital camera, otherwise your white balance and automatic focus on your camera will keep changing from image to image, which will royally s***w up your shot. Plus, an AC power adapter is necessary since stop motion takes a long time to shoot. If your battery runs out in the middle of your shot, as soon as you pick up the camera to recharge/change batteries, you've screwed up your entire shot. Even with a camera that has manual settings, digital cameras have flicker problems when used for stop motion due to incandescent electrical lighting which buzzes and fluxes. Also, the majority of digital cameras (especially point and click ones) will not be recognized by stop motion frame-grabbing software. As such, it's preferable to use a high-end webcam or a camcorder with a usb or firewire connection.

But if you must use a digital camera, remember these things:

1.Camera should be on all manual settings. No white balance, no flash, no autofocus. If your camera has an auto shutdown option, turn that off too.

2.If you can avoid pressing the button on your camera to take the pictures, that's good. If you've got a Canon or Nikon that comes with Remote Capture software, use it. Even if your camera is on a tripod, pressing the button on your camera with your finger will still most likely cause your camera to move slightly, and it will be noticeable when you play your finished movie.

For any specific questions, you should check out http://www.stopmotionanimation.com

It's a message board filled with stop motion animators helping eachother out. They even have a handbook section that has basic answers and info on a variety of stop motion topics (armatures, sets, cameras, etc)

http://www.stopmotionanimation.com/handb...

To actually frame-grab and compile the movie, I'd suggest using Monkeyjam if you're on a PC. It's free.

http://www.giantscreamingrobotmonkeys.co...

Here are some online resources about the basic principles of animation. These principles can and should be applied to any genre or medium you choose to work in, whether that be drawn, CGI, or stop motion animation.

http://www.idleworm.com/how/index.shtml

http://www.awn.com/tooninstitute/lessonp...

http://www.animationarena.com/principles...

http://www.animationmeat.com/notes/notes...

If you need more help or info, let me know.