Planning to make a sequel to Nightmare Before Christmas, or just want to spend some time making a short film? All you need to make stop motion movies is a camera, a computer, and a lot of patience. Although the process is not complicated, the process is not as easy as imagined. In addition, you must also be ready to work hard for every second of the video you make.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Film
Step 1. Write a script or outline for your film
Stop motion filming takes a lot of time. For every one second, you need at least 10 photos. That's why it's a good idea to make a plan before you start filming so that you won't have too much trouble later. While there are no restrictions on making stop motion films, there are a few things about the process to consider before you start your story.
- In making stop motion films, some camera movement techniques such as zooming (the camera approaches/away from the object) and panning (the camera moves horizontally or vertically to the object) will be difficult to do neatly. Therefore, to make the filming process easier (and make it look professional), it's a good idea to have all the frames in the same scene taken from the same angle and camera position.
- You need to shoot all the scenes for the entire film in one day, unless you can safely leave your camera at the shooting location in the same position for the whole night.
- The more characters or moving objects that are shown in the film, the longer the process of making the film will be.
Step 2. Use a digital camera and a tripod to form a visual composition
It is important that you use a tripod to keep the camera in the same position because otherwise your film will appear wobbly and untidy. Prepare to shoot in a place that is not easily disturbed because if the property or camera used is shifted or dropped, it is almost impossible for you to return it to a completely similar position.
- It is important that you use a memory card that can store at least 4 to 500 photos. Otherwise, you will have to keep removing the memory card from the camera and resetting the camera to the same position. If you do not want the storage space on the card to run out quickly and you are not required to shoot professional quality movies, set the image quality to “Low” on the camera you are using.
- If you do not have a tripod, place the camera on a flat surface so that the camera does not move or wobble during use.
Step 3. Reduce the incoming light from outside to create shadows
Filming takes a long time. This means that a shadow that appears on one side of the film is likely to overshadow the entire shooting area when filming is complete. Therefore, close windows or blinds and light up the shooting area, unless you really want a moving shadow effect to show the passage of time. This way, the exposure of the object and the shooting area throughout the film will remain balanced.
Step 4. Design, shape or 'recruit' the characters for your film
You can move any object with the stop motion technique, from people and action figures, to paintings and old household items. You only need an object that can be moved slowly and does not change during shooting. Below are some items that you can use as stop motion film objects:
- Dolls, action figures and toys. Besides being expressive, they are easy to bend or adjust. You can use these objects to act out certain scenes. Plus, the objects are easy to manipulate, glue (whether on other objects or backgrounds), and move around.
- Painting or sketch. Using a painting as a film object will make the filming process even longer because you will need to draw each frame (10-12 frames per second) manually (by hand). However, keep in mind that before the advent of computers, earlier cartoons were made this way. While drawing or painting, you can create a stop motion movie. Take a picture as you line and color or shade the picture as the drawing is completed.
- Things around. You can record these objects quickly and easily. For starters, objects around you can make great movie objects because they are easy to find and can be moved quickly. For example, you could make a movie about crumpled paper jumping into the trash can, a pencil suddenly dancing, or a loaf of bread slipping out of its package and jumping into the toaster.
Step 5. Practice taking photos and reviewing them on the computer
Take a photo of the object you want or make a simple image. Use lighting and position the camera according to the final result you want. Do a quick take 5 to 10 times, then copy the captured images to the computer. Make sure the images are clear, bright, and show everything in the scene. Do not let you have to edit 500 photos or re-take the photos just because the photos taken are too dark.
Don't let you edit every photo you take. Don't be in a hurry when taking pictures and try to take good pictures. This way, there will be plenty of time for you to do the next step
Method 2 of 3: Taking Photos
Step 1. Understand that a stop motion film or video consists of a collection of photos that are played from one photo to the next to create the illusion of movement
Basically, the stop motion concept is similar to the flip book concept that people often made when they were kids. Flip book itself is a handicraft in the form of pictures made on one corner of the book page and, if each page of the book is opened quickly, the pictures will form a kind of animation. This is what makes the process of making a stop motion film take a long time because you have to take a lot of photos to form a complete film.
Step 2. Prepare the movie's opening scene
Let's say you want to make a scene of a loaf of bread that goes on its own and then goes into the toaster. This means that the first photo to take is a photo of a packet of bread placed next to the toaster. Prepare everything, including lighting and props. After that, you are ready to take pictures.
Step 3. Take the first image for the opening scene
Check the captured image immediately to make sure there are no problems with the image, but try not to shift or move the camera while you are checking the captured image. If the camera shifts, there is a possibility that you will have to re-take the picture because it is almost impossible for the camera that has been shifted to be put back in exactly the same position as the original position.
Step 4. Move or slide the object slowly, then take a photo of the object again
Continue the scene by slightly opening the wrapper or package of bread (perhaps about a quarter of it). After that, take another picture and make sure the camera stays in the same position.
Some cameras are equipped with an auto-shutter feature. This feature allows a picture to be taken every 5, 10, or 15 seconds automatically. Using this feature can help prevent the camera from shifting or moving, especially if you only need a short time to adjust the object or property being used
Step 5. Continue to move the object little by little while taking pictures
Reopen the wrapper or packaging of the bread, and take a photo. After that, start removing the bread from the packaging and taking photos again. Keep moving or moving objects and taking pictures each time there is a new movement or displacement. Try to make short movements or movements of objects and make sure the camera does not shift or move from its position.
The smaller the movement of objects from one image to another, the smoother the resulting animation. For reference, in previous animations (eg Disney short films), 24 images are required for every second. As a result, the animation that is created looks very smooth. For homemade stop motion movies, you can try setting up 10 to 12 images per second
Step 6. Find a way to hold the object in the desired position if necessary
Removing a loaf of bread from its packaging and moving it towards the toaster is quite easy to do. However, getting it to move on its own and into the toaster is quite difficult because the bread can't stay airborne or stick to one side of the toaster without a holder. Luckily, since there's plenty of time from one shot to the next, you don't need complicated special effects. In almost all stop motion films, using only fishing line or adhesive tape, you can glue or hold the object in the desired position.
Step 7. Review the last photos in case you forgot the next object movement
If you're not sure what the next object's motion or position will look like, check the last photo you took and compare it to the one you just took (or at least, the last situation in the setting or shooting location). This review is useful, especially for complex movements, such as hovering in the air or jumping.
Method 3 of 3: Merge Photos Into Movies with Windows Movie Maker
Step 1. Copy the photos that have been taken to the computer
Once all photos are saved to a special directory (eg “Photo Collection for Stop Motion”), sort them by date by clicking “Arrange By: Day” (if photos are not already sorted by date). It's in the upper-right corner of the "My Computer" window. You need to sort the photos in chronological order so that, when you scroll through the directory window, they can form some sort of animation or movie.
- Most cameras use a chronological sorting system (oldest photo – newest photo) when they are copied to another device or computer. However, there are some cameras that use a reverse chronological ordering system (latest photo – oldest photo). Therefore, first check the copied photos before proceeding to the next step to make sure they are stored in chronological order.
- Make sure that only the photos needed for the movie are stored in that directory.
Step 2. Import the required photos into Windows Movie Maker by clicking on them and dragging them to the Windows Movie Maker window
Open Windows Movie Maker (WMM) and set up the application window so that you can view the photo directory window and the application window at the same time. In the directory window, press the 'Ctrl' + 'A' key combination to select all photos. After that, click and drag the photos into the Windows Movie Maker window to import them.
The photo import process may take a while, depending on the size and number of photos imported. Don't worry if your computer suddenly becomes unusable because it takes time to process the images
Step 3. Select all the photos that have been imported into Windows Movie Maker to edit them
In the Windows Movie Maker window, press the 'Ctrl' + 'A' key combination to select all photos. Now, any changes you make will be applied to all photos at the same time. This way, you can make your film in black and white or sepia, or play with the color settings if you prefer.
Step 4. Click the “Video Tools” → “Edit” option, then set the duration to 0.1 seconds
This means that each photo will be displayed for only one tenth of a second. In this way, every second of the film consists of 10 photos. Once the duration setting is complete, your movie has been created.
Step 5. Preview the movie to check the speed of the movie
Press the “Play” button at the bottom of the preview window to play the movie. If the movie runs too slowly, adjust the duration to make the movie run faster (eg set the duration to 0.09 or 0.08 seconds). On the other hand, if the movie is going too fast, increase the length to 0.11 or 0.12 seconds.
Step 6. Speed up or slow down certain parts by adding or subtracting photos
If there are parts of the film that run faster than others (or seem to 'jump'), add a photo or two to slow the film down. You can do this by clicking on the photo where it feels too slow, then right-clicking and selecting “Copy” then “Paste” (you can also do this by pressing the 'Ctrl' + 'C' and 'Ctrl' + 'V' key combinations). The same photo is then added and the duration of the section is increased by 0.1 second. In this way, the course of the film will be slower.
If any part of the film is running too slowly, delete a photo or two of that part to speed up the film. However, write down or remember the file name of the deleted photo in case you ever need to add it back
Step 7. Add music or sound files to your movie
After setting the speed and timing of the movie, add sound effects, such as dialogue or music, as well as a slide of titles or credits that you want to add at the beginning and end of the movie. Now, your movie is finished.
You can still make changes, such as adding or removing photos, to match the movie with the music. However, it's a good idea to make these changes at the end once you're satisfied with the final result of the film
Tips
- Make sure your storyline is short. Making a 1 to 2 minute stop motion film is a huge commitment and the process can take up to several hours.
- To make stop motion movies with professional quality, buy a quality stop motion app. This application shows the previous photos in the form of transparent layers so that you can determine the right photo for the next move or move.
