Stop Motion Animation Techniques

Cel Based animation

Steamboat Willie - A very early example of cel based animation, directed by Walt Disney himself back in 1928. This was the first animation to incorporate sound. Cel based animation is one of the most popular forms of animation and is created using sheets of cellulose acetate. These "cells" are transparent and can therefore be traced onto. After an original image is created, it is then traced onto another cell but changed slightly to infer movement, painted and photographed. When all the cells are played back at a rate of around 24 frames per second, a moving image sequence is created. 

Cut-out Animation

Cut-out animation is a less popular form of animation, most famously used in the popular adult themed cartoon "South Park". Cut-out animation is considered by many to be one of the oldest and most simple forms of animation. The animator cuts out everything needed for the animation, for example; backgrounds, props, characters and clothing. Movement is then created by moving the different cut out pieces very slightly and photographing the scene one frame at a time, usually from above. Cut-out animation does not have to be made using paper, it can also be created using card, cloth or other fabrics. 

Model based Animation

Model based animation, most famously used in the "Wallace and Gromit" series is commonly created using clay. Models are sculpted or created with sets and props to scale.  A benefit of using model based animation, especially with materials such as clay, is that they can easily be moved small amounts and will retain their current position until moved again. The models are photographed in a position, moved slightly and then photographed again to give the impression of movement.


Time Lapse

Time lapse animation is created by having the camera in one fixed position, with main focal points also being in one position. Subjects may move around, however. The main purpose of time lapse animation is to show the passage of a long period of time compressed into a far shorter period of time. This can show people or objects such as fruit ageing, or how a building or place changes throughout the seasons.

Pixilation 

Pixilation animation is created using live actors. In a similar fashion to model based, the actors are manipulated slightly every frame to give the impression of movement. Each individual frame is photographed and then changed a tiny bit for each photograph. This type of animation can be difficult to achieve because it s often hard for the actors to stay stationary for so long.