Stop-Motion Animation Workshop

Find out how stop-motion animation can be integrated into lessons in the classroom or learned for fun at home. There are many ways to create stop-motion films; these StopMoStudio workshop video tutorials will show you how to work with modelling clay and sets in both 2D and 3D—but the possibilities are endless.

Who is Norman McLaren? Find out about this remarkable Canadian animator’s legacy and his pioneering techniques in the early years of the National Film Board of Canada’s animation studio.

This clip will inform you of the basic equipment you’ll need to create your own stop-motion animated short. It covers technical equipment, software and user-friendly materials.

It all starts here: In this clip you’ll learn about the fundamentals of animation so you can get experimenting. Whether you’re a younger student or a first-time animator, we encourage you to try all kinds of media and techniques—you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.

Flip it and watch your world come to life! Animation is based on the principles of recording small, incremental changes to an image, object or character to create the illusion of smooth and fluid motion. One way to illustrate these principles is to create your own flipbook or flip trick. All you need is paper and pencil.

Films are anchored by a story, which often follows a deliberate plan. Filmmakers usually chart out the beginning, middle and end of a sequence of events, detailing the actions of their characters from scene to scene on a storyboard. This is a kind of map, displaying the arc and rhythm of a story. If you plan your story before you shoot, you will find you achieve the best results. Watch this clip to learn more about storyboarding on paper before you turn on the camera and yell “Action”!

Thought your years of playing with plasticine were over? Watch this clip to learn how to mould perfect 3D characters, ready to bring your animated stories to life. All you need is basic modelling clay (or plasticine), which is oil-based and pliable, and your imagination.

You’ve watched the basics of animation and understand rhythm and frame rates, storyboarding and the art of building your own characters and sets—now it’s time to bring it all together. This clip demonstrates how to shoot stop-motion animation using basic technical equipment to capture your story in motion.

Extra tips for making your own stop-motion animation creations. This tutorial follows on from the first tutorial, StopMoStudio – Stop-Motion Animation Workshop, on the basics of stop-motion animation.

In this short clip you can learn how to compose teams and set parameters in a classroom stop-motion workshop.

This short clip provides more detailed guidelines on art materials, set design, props, decor and the creative process when working with simple 2D and 3D animation sets.

Want to go deeper into the art of character construction for your stop-motion plasticine animation film? If you’ve already watched the first main clip on Creating Characters, you’ll find this one a useful extension. Learn all about topics such as optimum dimensions and supports.

A step-by-step tutorial explaining what basic technical equipment you’ll need and how to use it to shoot your stop-motion animation film. There are many types of cameras, software programs and mobile devices or apps you can use. This clip suggests one possible set-up.

Ever wondered how to make your characters fly or disappear? Learn simple tricks and tips to create different illusions.