Wiki stop motion. Stop-motion animation: making a movie in LEGO style

  • Download the Stop Motion Studio app for iOS or Android to your device. Click the plus icon to create a new video. The camera will start automatically.
  • Position your smartphone so that the scene is in view at all times. It is best to use a tripod for mobile phones.
  • You can now take one or more shots by pressing the shutter button. Use a timer if necessary. To do this, click on the small clock icon and set the time, and then turn on the timer using the slider to the left of the clock.
  • Move the shapes in the frame - the application will take a photo every five seconds. You don't have to configure it on your smartphone itself.
  • Individual ones are displayed in the timeline below the camera window. If the video or scene ends, turn off the timer using the slider.
  • When your video clip is ready, click on the plus sign in the bottom left corner under the camera icon. The video will appear on the application's home screen. It can be saved to your phone using the Share button by selecting the “Share to camera roll” option. Before saving the video, select the desired resolution.
  • After this, you can transfer the video to your computer for further editing.

Stop Motion Studio: Additional Features

  • The app offers many other options. For example, you can turn autofocus on and off, activate a grid display, or adjust white balance.
  • The down arrow icon allows you to navigate to the Green Screen option if you plan to add a different background later. However, this option is blocked in the free version of the application.
  • Using the microphone icon, you can immediately add audio to the video. To do this, go back to the first frame, tap "microphone" and start recording alternative audio.
  • By clicking on the classic gear sign, you can set certain settings for the video. Here you can specify whether only the last 12 frames will be shown, or loop the video. In addition, you can play the video in half slow motion or set the playback speed yourself.

I am glad to welcome you, dear readers!
Have you ever been on a shoot? These magic words on the set: “Light camera motor monster high.” Where do the monsters come from??? It's okay, because I'll tell you how to make stop motion monster high. It's interesting to watch those who saw the dolls for the first time Monster High. They expected to see some scary and terrible zombies, orcs, trolls or other fantasy characters.

And they see cute dolls, slightly stylized and very convenient for filming, because all their body parts are on joints. They can be given any pose, changed outfit, jewelry, makeup, hairstyle. Moreover, frame-by-frame animation is accessible to everyone and does not require computer calculations or rendering, but only enough time, patience and imagination of the author. The technique of time-lapse photography began to be used at the end of the 19th century, when photography became widespread.

This is the most old technology effects, which was used in the film industry. But in our time, it has gained a second wind, animators looked at it from a different perspective and found a lot of new things in it and great potential for undiscovered properties. Combining it with various modern techniques, you can demonstrate excellent taste and great ingenuity, express yourself and show your inner world.

How to make stop motion animation

(The work experience of Lena Nikolaeva, who has shot more than one video using the stop motion technique.)
I made my first cartoon using this technique for the “Best STOP-MOTION Monster High” competition. There are two characters in this video: the daughter of werecats Toralei Stripe and the daughter of sea monsters Laguna Blue. They decorate the room with tinsel. Their cheerful New Year's mood is matched by a cheerful, energetic melody. This brings you to the first item on the list of necessary things that you should know about if you want to make a successful project.

Plot idea, character selection, costume making

You have creative idea, you think about how to bring it to life, what the characters will be like, how they will be dressed, what kind of relationships they have with each other. Clothing should correspond to the plot, emphasize the character's character, the cut should not interfere with movements, and the color should not blend into the background.

Distribution of roles if there are several characters.

We look at the assortment of “actors”, from what is already available and used in previous filming. We need to think about which ones are suitable, which ones need to be purchased, and what needs to be changed in them appearance so that they fit their role. How they will be positioned during shooting, at what time and in what place they will appear in the frame.

Choosing Voices for Characters

Ask someone to help voice or change your own voice for a certain character in special program. While working on the characters, you need to think about whether they will speak, sing, or simply remain silent. Who can voice them, do you know anyone whose voices are suitable or can be changed on the computer. Sometimes the soundtrack is written first, and then the movements during shooting are adjusted to the text.

Choosing the brightest and most comfortable place in the room.

Light, its quality and quantity, as well as direction greatly influence the choice of location “ film set" The light should not be too bright so that there are no very strong shadows. It is not advisable to shoot in yellow or any other colored lighting, unless the plot requires it, otherwise the color rendition will be greatly distorted and this will interfere with the correct perception of the cartoon by the audience.

Assembling the scenery for the video.

So, the plot is ready, the actors too, all that remains is to install the scenery in which the action of the film will unfold. They need to be well secured. Most importantly, the characters should look organic against their background. If chromakey is used when filming, then in principle there is no particular need for scenery, then you just need to mark where the actors appear from and in which direction they are moving.

Lighting settings

It is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of human vision. An object is best perceived if it is well lit from the top left. It is advisable to have several light sources so that objects are perceived more voluminously, and also to avoid sharp contrasting shadows. Lighting sources must be safe and securely fastened to prevent them from falling onto the dolls while shooting.

Installing the camera in the desired position

You can use a tripod or make your own camera stand. For stop motion you can use the simplest camera or even a camera mobile phone. The main thing is that it cannot be moved during shooting, otherwise the characters’ movements will be jerky and the picture will be jumpy. Movement is achieved by changing the pose and position of the object being photographed.

Start of shooting

Start shooting according to your story, don't do too much sudden movements characters (a small number of frames per 1 movement), but it is also not worth doing too smoothly (a large number of frames per 1 movement), because the movement will be too slow; in general, the speed can be edited in the program, but this is not always convenient.

Tag frames

In order not to get confused in the frames, mark the end of each character’s movement or moment with an inscription, that is, next to the character in the same position, make a frame with the name of what is happening or some kind of mark, so that later it will be convenient to edit the video. At the end of the work, these frames are deleted.

Light and Focus

To ensure that the image does not flicker and is pleasant to look at, follow the light. It should not change every frame, and, if possible, the source should remain static throughout the entire video, unless you intend to change the light in the story. The color scheme in the frame depends on the focus, shooting the same subject, but from different angles you will get different lighting, sometimes this is necessary to express some thought, to show the mood of the character, but it is better not to abuse it.

Installation and assembly of frames

It needs to be installed gradually. Having filmed some part, we immediately stitch together the frames in the program and look for errors and shortcomings. Of course, your arms, legs, and unnecessary objects can get into the frame. The movements are not correct, not exactly what you need. For example, the light didn’t fall correctly until you positioned yourself for the shoot. The result is a finished video sequence.

Voice acting and video creation

We add voices, music, titles, titles and everything that you consider necessary. The soundtrack should fit the main plot, rather complement it and create a mood for the audience. You can put a channel splash screen, opening credits, an announcement by the author with explanatory text or a voice about your goal and idea.

And finally, we preview what we got. If everything is satisfactory, then we post the video on some Internet resource and share it with friends and acquaintances on social networks.

In the last few years, videos using video clips have gained particular popularity on the Internet. Initially, these were advertisements and inserts for clips and various films, then bloggers picked up the idea. This animation looks quite peculiar, but impressive. In addition, creating such videos is now available to almost every person who has a minimum set of equipment (at least a phone with a camera and a tripod). In this article you will learn how to shoot stop motion at home. In addition, we will consider what you need to know and be able to do for this.

What is stop motion?

This is a technology for creating a video, the basis of which is frame-by-frame photography. To create a one-minute video, you will need to take about 120 photos. Therefore, before shooting stop motion, be patient. What to do? First you need to shoot the scene, then you need to put it into it minor change(turn the doll’s head or hand) and remove it again. It is in this way that the effect of movement is achieved. Then all these pictures are edited on a computer or in a special program on the phone.

Pros of stop motion

You don't need an expensive video camera to take pictures. It is enough to be the owner of the minimum set of an amateur photographer and a good imagination. You can create almost all special effects at home.

Required Tools

Firstly, before you shoot the stop motion Monster High, for example, you will need to purchase a camera that can be adjusted manually. This way you can adapt to almost any shooting conditions and in the future do without lengthy processing in Photoshop.

Secondly, you will need a tripod. It will be very difficult to do without a tripod: otherwise you will have to look for a static surface to avoid the shaking effect and shoot from one angle.

Thirdly, you should think about lighting. The best option of all is a constant light source. You can buy professional lighting for the studio or get by with table lamps of sufficient power. You can also shoot in daylight. It is advisable not to use flash, as it will certainly produce too harsh shadows.

Fourthly, you will need a computer, this is what happens on it. Therefore, before you shoot stop motion with puppets, you will need to learn how to work in one of the editing programs.

How many frames do you need to take?

Once you have written the script and decided on the production, you need to calculate the approximate time of each movement. A typical video consists of twenty-four frames per second. But for stop motion, 12 frames will be enough. It is at this frequency that the movements of dolls and objects will not seem too abrupt and abrupt. For stop motion it is better to take photos with a reserve. For example, if you calculated for 300 photos, it would be better to take 350 or even 400 photos.

Start of the process

Before filming stop motion with puppets, carefully secure the scene. This is what you will be touching a lot during filming, which can cause it to move. Then set up your camera on a tripod and take several photos from different angles. Choose the most successful one. It is better to use a remote control to control the shutter release. If it is not there, you can turn on manual mode with a adjusted release delay, for example, two seconds.

Installation and post-processing

You need to use those programs that allow you to process large quantity pictures at the same time. Photoshop and Lightroom cope very well with this task. If you do not need photo processing, you need to import the photos into an editing program. If you are a beginner, it is better to use a simple program, for example "Corel VideoStudio". If you are no longer an amateur, "Vegas" or "Premier Pro" will suit you. Moreover, in Photoshop, at the stage of photo processing or already in the editing program, you will eventually learn how to create a variety of special effects.

How to shoot stop motion with voiceover?

And finally. If you already know how to shoot stop motion, you might want to consider doing voiceovers as well. To do this, you will need a microphone, a sound card and a computer with the program installed on it. You need to record your voice under the edited video. For recording, a quiet room in which the reflection is suitable is suitable. sound waves will be minimal.

After recording your voice, you can begin sound design. You can find the necessary sounds (the noise of the city or the singing of forest birds, crowd conversations in a cafe, traffic noise, and so on) in any noise library. To correctly insert noise into a project, you need to make time codes (the beginning and end of a specific sound). Once you've added voice and noise to your recording, you can apply a compressor to the audio track to keep the sounds from getting too loud. After this, the audio track is exported to the editing program. Ready! Now you know how to shoot stop motion.

Do your children like to watch? Looking for a project that will capture their vivid imagination and captivate them? interesting story? Create stop motion animation with your kids using their favorite ​.

Stop-motion is a filming technique in which objects (such as clay/plasticine figures) are photographed in several different positions, which creates the impression of movement. Stop motion - so-called frame-by-frame. Such entertainment is, in fact, also a learning activity that reinforces valuable life skills and creates long-lasting impressions.

Step 1: Write or choose a story

Gather all family members to brainstorm ideas. Tip: Start with a short film and save a more complex story idea for your second filmmaking effort. That's exactly how they work professional studios when films are made.

Share ideas. Try to combine everyone's thoughts to come up with a rich short script a film that has a beginning, middle and denouement. It's great if you can add a moral or educational message to the film. You can also base your film on a recent family experience. Once you have an idea, write it down - briefly or in detail.

Another option: use a story your child has already written (for example, in school) as the basis for the film. If the story has pictures, use them as a storyboard to plan out the movie's scenes.

Once you have a story for a stop-motion film and know how to present it, you won't need anything extra for the film.

Step 2: Choose your props

Based on the plot of your future stop motion, make a list of the necessary characters and props for the film. The characters can be any toys, and you can also try to make something from cold porcelain, polymer clay or modeling dough. To use the constructor and its figures.

Don’t be afraid to improvise - your imagination won’t spoil the story in any way, but the audience is a small pebble with a painted smile on it. leading role will only enchant.

Step 3. Select a location and create a background

Once you have selected your characters and props, start planning your shooting locations. Take full advantage of every nook and cranny of your home or yard. Use a presentation board to create a backdrop for the shoot, as well as construction paper or construction paper.

Once you choose a location, remember that you will need a place to install the camera. Don’t try to squeeze into a corner along with the shooting area - choose a place where it will be convenient to place the equipment and shoot from different angles.

Step 4: Download the Creation App stop motion video

Choose the stop motion program that suits you - LEGO ® Movie Maker app or Clayframes. There are other apps for both iOS and Android to create similar animations. All programs work the same way: they help you take a photo frame, move the subject a little, take another frame to see the animation.

The LEGO ® Movie Maker app takes the hard work out of the equation because it doesn't require you to take a million photos of every position to create motion. The app cleverly repeats and blends photos to create the appearance of movement. It's a time-saving program that delivers instant gratification when you hit the save button.

Step 5: Take a Title Frame

LEGO ® app for creating Lego cartoon will ask you to make a title shot, which will include the title of the film and the name of the director.

If you use another program, make the title frame yourself using paper and markers and insert it into the film.

Step 6. Camera, motor, let's start!

Place your props in front of the background you've chosen for the first shot. With the LEGO ® app, you just need to follow the instructions below.

When the scene is ready and all the characters and props are in place, take the first shot.

There will be a lot of mistakes and rework, so take as many photos as you need for the perfect shot. This is forgivable for a novice director.

Step 7: Shoot the next frame of the stop motion film

Move the pieces and literally move the story forward. We moved the props and took a photo. We moved the props and took a photo. Repeat until all action is removed.

Improvise if necessary. In the story shown, the heroes were supposed to be swallowed. The child wanted something red in the frame (like the tongue that overwhelms the unfortunate heroes), and there was an umbrella nearby. And everything worked!

Make changes to the script if the props allow and encourage the flight of thought. Your stop motion animation will benefit from this.

Step 8: Editing

Follow the in-app prompts to edit your footage as you shoot. You can add sound, music, speed and other details.


Step 9: Add Dialogue and Sound Effects

Dialogues can be added to a bubble, like in comics, or an audio track can be recorded for each character. If appropriate, also add a couple of background sound effects when something happens in the story. The app contains a lot of fun templates.

You can also record a soundtrack for a movie in the same applications. If you don’t understand exactly how, they almost always come with comments and explanations.

Step 10. Edit the film

The LEGO ® app will prompt you to edit the film after filming is complete. It only takes a couple of seconds and the Lego movie will be ready for preview.

You can edit the necessary moments before saving and distributing your stop motion film on the Internet.

Step 11: Watch the premiere

In any case, the experience gained during filming is invaluable both in terms of skills and emotions. Once you have achieved perfection in the final version, taking into account all the recommendations from loved ones, feel free to share the film on your channel or in social network. You can have a whole one for this.

Of course, if you upload stop motion videos online, be prepared for comments from strangers, and not always positive ones. Remember that achieving popularity is a thorny and long path, so it may take more than one year and more than one film to become famous on the Internet. It is not the number of subscribers and viewers that is important, but the experience and impressions of the work done.

Watch online stop-motion movie in LEGO style

Shooting a stop motion video is a great way to enhance family connections and strengthen relationships. With time and practice, children may want to take these skills to the next level—a career as a filmmaker. For example, the first film famous director Robert Rodriguez (“Spy Kids”) was in a stop motion technique called Claymation. Who knows, maybe your child is a rising star.

Stop motion animation involves the movement of inanimate objects in the frame to create a certain story. So, for example, your cup and coffee beans can create something unusual, and most importantly unique for everyone in a short video. It is worth thinking through the details in advance, since the process differs from shooting conventional layouts (flatleys), but is not as labor-intensive as it might seem from the very beginning. It all depends on your imagination. Moreover, these small and short videos you can sell on stock , and some frames taken during the shooting process can be downloaded as photographs, so that’s two in one!

What is required for stop-motion photography?

To create a basic and high-quality stop-motion video, you don’t need a lot of equipment; you can get by with one simple camera with manual settings and, if possible, a computer to facilitate the filming process.

From experience, I can tell you that careful and timely preparation can not only save a lot of time, but also nerves in the future when processing animation.

Light

First of all, you need to remember that the light should remain the same throughout the entire shooting; you can use both daylight and softboxes. There are many opinions about light sets for photography, but in reality it all depends on the tasks and skills of the photographer. If you decide to shoot at home in daylight, you need to be careful and take into account that with a long period of shooting, the light outside the window may change with the usual appearance of clouds, rays of the sun, and new shadows or insufficiently lit areas will appear in the pictures.

Technique

The technical side of shooting is also quite simple. Mount the camera on a tripod or any flat surface so that it is firmly fixed throughout the entire shooting, without the slightest shift. Minor shifts of 5 millimeters to the right or left can change not only the light, but also the viewing angle in the picture, which will be noticeable when viewing finished work. The standard camera position is parallel to the composition.

Background

It is also important to fix the background on which you will shoot, since the shift of the background is equal to the shift of the camera equipment. During processing, your frames won't line up nicely and you can waste time aligning your shots to get the perfect result.

Decide in advance on the subject of the shoot, the objects that will be used in the frame, and think about the story you want to tell in your small animation.

Now how to remove everything?

The final stage is, of course, filming everything you have planned. As already mentioned, it consists of moving objects a short distance in each subsequent photograph to create the effect of an animated subject. The number of frames depends on the duration you want to get as a result. On drains You can upload videos of any length, but it’s much better if they are several segments of the same topic, which everyone can assemble as they wish after purchase.






Invent different scenarios shooting, add new objects to the frame, be patient and be inspired by the results. You can make small videos the first time, but then you will want more and more. Then this matter may completely drag you down. And believe me, you can achieve incredible success which we had not even thought of until now!

Anna Georgievna (