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Previous / Archived News
 01.26.08
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Framepool,
Insects, VideoMaker, SMW resource page ..... No tirade
and no thumbnails this time. I need to chillax once in awhile and lurk too. There is a
Video-Image clips service that is similar to BBC
Motion Gallery,
goes by the company name Framepool. They sell stock moving image clips,
however they are generous to display
their image library via small
watermarked clips of all variety. No need to register to
view clips. Just enter in their search.
Here is one for still images reference and maybe
handy for sculpting & puppet builders Insect Images.Org. This other one is VideoMaker which has lots of tips for general
video/film making, and the principles of course,
applicable to Stop Motion or if you are doing a monster
on the loose B-Movies, combining Live Action
with Harryhausen-esque  .
Then, a few months ago, FINALLY after some years online,
our Stop Motion Works staff has debuted the SMW Resource links which will be a work
in progress, so you need to occasionally check for
resource link additions. Laters peoples. EDIT: 01.27.08
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01.19.08
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Missed Opportunities & Deathly
Silence from Stop Motionists? ..... It seems, I am seeing a bit more
postings of  Stop Motion related projects
at the messageboard. I do not know if the Stop Mo Lurkers are
responding to those postings via private emailing
or messaging? You got this very interesting recent post by Rocket33.TV. They are looking for cutting
edge content for a certain market.
Absolutely no one commented on that post. Any Robot
Chicken Stop Motionists
out there? Seems like a ripe opportunity to pitch
them. Also, you other experienced Stop Motionists;
what about siezing the possible
carrot, or you just going to be in
continual lurking mode? Similarly, there are two studios,
unbelievably, both near each other, in the in the state of Utah,
USA! Lumenas Animation Studios & 2 and Candleman Films & 2, and it seems they are having a hard
time finding
Stop Motion people? Then look at this, Berlin
Calling. There has
been some discussion of Marketing & (the buzz word)
Monetizing of Stop Motion. Have
you all really taken a good look
at all the past postings at the Jobs & Projects category? I don't know, maybe I am
misinterpreting Stop Motion people or
they are really just slow, introverted, awkward,
not savvy in Social & Business interaction?
I always have said, Stop
Motion (as a semi-income producing vehicle),
unfortunately, requires one to have a somewhat
portable lifestyle. That is the nature of Show
Biz and/or life as a general freelancing artist.
I completely understand the Life shackles
that imprison us: Could be family
responsibities, commited to geographic area, such as a
house or one has a straight job that is consistent
and secure but which does not
quench the heavy thirst for  creative outlet. I
have that strong urge to just say Fug it
all and leave all my comfort & securities
and embark once again on journey of freelancing as a
nomadic artist  . I could, if I
wanted, and really promote push myself .... but always,
the devil of doubt, creeps in  . It would take courage, to just drop
everything and all that security in your
quest to follow your bliss. Again,
unfortunately, You Only Live Once (not Twice but would be a cool option). EDIT: 01.20.08
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01.12.08
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A few Stop Motion books ..... Kind of January Blues
feeling? Also recession fears in the air? Take notice how much your
feelings & reactions are manipulated by mass
media! Recession is part of the cyclical economy.
What goes up, must come down
or level off. A period of time to be in reality
& to curb the public's excess
materialistic  compulsions. I do not feel in a profundity
or tirading mood right now. Just doing a basic
post announcing some hard copy books you might add to
your Stop Motion collection. One is the 2nd
Edition of Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model
Animation by Susannah
Shaw. The other, a brand new one, Stop Motion: Passion, Process and
Performance, by Barry
JC Purves. Do not ask which is the best
(general question I hear a lot at forum & email
inquiries) about these books, or any other books or
products. Each book has something
of value. If you can afford
your iPods or Cell phone
services, do not whine to me that you
are poor. A few dollars for Knowledge
can save you much trial & error, and give
you jump start (in reference to
newbies/beginners). Hey, did I almost go into a rant??
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01.05.08
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Stop Motion Closets: Pull yourself
out of it & SEE the BIG picture! ..... At the messageboard, some trying to figure out an angle or
strategy how to promote their creative works or
maybe wanting formulas. In my view, Creativity
cannot necessarily be boxed into specific
steps or methods. It is an abstract
thing, however, when you (or public) see it,
you will know it. Getting noticed
or making a living at it, can be difficult
or challenging for Artists, in
general (not just animation).
Obviously, everything
that is 'Stop Motion' will NOT
automatically be 'good'. Some 'have it'
and some do not. Some looks crude & rough, and others
are finessed & polished. Especially in the
massive-ness of The Internet, there will
be tons of crappy & mediocre stuff  (not just Stop Mo). As the saying
goes, the Cream Rises to the Top. Sure, many beginners or newbies,
at StopMoShorts, for example. They need
honest but diplomatic feedback
& critiques. It does them no good,
if one only says, "That looks great".
I am part of SMS, and I suppose I should
post comments there, but so much to do, so little time.
As I said, do
not be myopic within just Stop
Motion (introverted kind of group anyway). Get
inspiration or motivation from
OTHER than Stop Motion. This would
include other animation techniques & styles, BUT
also, look at what other Artists
do & their philosophy about things.
Some have serendipitously (maybe luck, timing, or
planned, I don't know) made their own
little niche. It is the uniqueness
of their creative works which somehow has grabbed
the attention of a niche
audience. Just a micro-scopic few examples; some
I posted at SMW here few years ago but
you all have a tendency to get temporary amnesia:
Guido Daniele Steve J. Lindsay Lisa Lichtenfels Bent Objects.Obviously, there are many other
unique Artists/Creatives out there. Here in San
Francisco Bay Area, a local PBS affiliate station produces a show which spotlights
northern california artists. Not all of
them are making a regular living at it, but they
seem maybe, at peace, contented or fulfilled
in pursuing & practicing their Creative
outlets. TV program is called SPARK.
You can watch the show segments online: Select the show
episode > wait for next page to load > then on
right side of page click 'More ....'
to watch that particular video streamed clip
(see note below) segment about the artist(s).
Addendum:
Unfortunately, the Spark site using the
(IMO) less popular Media format that requires a proprietary
player, called RealPlayer which I hear is a bloated
player for PCs. I have been using a no-frills freeware called, Real Media Alternative (for PCs). Play's the Real
Media format and also, you can manually select WMV
movie files into this player, and it will also play
it. Comes with uninstall too. Also, 'unfortunately', as
far as I know, there is no generic or
alternative player that plays the Real media files
on Macs EDIT: 01.07.08
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