 About | FAQ | Gallery | Library | Links | Store | Contact |
Previous
/ Archived News
01.28.09 * 'Coraline' behind
the scenes: Technical, Cams, & Stuff .....
We posted earlier this month 01.07.09 (scroll down this page)
about the Industrial Vision cams used on
'Coraline'. We found some other article/blog-bytes about this
camera modified for Stop Motion. The newer write-ups do not reveal that
much more but perhaps some miniscule extra details. For the many of you
into mega-schmega high
pixel  Stop Mo digital
capture, the consumer/prosumer Digital SLR-type cams should be
satisfactory. These industrial vision cams are
very costly
and then need to be modified
& tweaked. I also heard through the 'grapevine'  that
this model of industrial vision-type cameras were perhaps, not as
user-friendly for
Stop Motion because of very
long exposure times, compared to the quicker exposure
times of Digital SLRs. I still do not know $how much$ this brand of
Industrial vision cams cost
and I do not feel like contacting the sellers. Why don't they list the
prices on their
website?? Here are the other article-bytes, Digital
Imaging Goes to the Movies - Coraline
- On the Set* Armature-less or No Armatures Stop Motion ..... What do I mean by that? Stop Motionists or specifically, maybe beginner Stop Moes are sometimes obsessed with doing the more well known Stop Motion techniques using puppets and they want to copy a Harryhausen or s  omething
like Nightmare Before
Xmas. I do understand that desire and enthusiasm.
I get
inquiries from newbies about cost of stop motion armatures. Some have grandiose Stop
Motion projects far
beyond their existing skill sets. I often preach, "Walk before you Run"
but it seems, The New
Millenium MySpacey Generation 
do not the patience.
If that
is so,then Stop Motion is
not
for those personality types. Stop Motion is a creative process that
requires perseverance, problem solving, resourcefulness, and
patience. It is NOT 'instant' results such as from the more sterile
'mouse-clicking' CGI animation methods. As an option,
you do not need
complex jointed armatures
to explore Stop
Motion creativity. There are other variations or
sub-categories
of Stop Motion. I have ranted in past about it and posted recently at SMW
Random Cinema©, Her
Morning Elegance (pixillation/animation directed by Yuval & Merav
Nathan) and Fast
Film 2 . You
want more
examples? Check-out another,
IMO, cool
photo cut-out animation example ..... Whatcha
got!
- 'Making
of' video
- Quickie
interview
with creator and another photo
cut-out animation by same EDIT:
01.29.09____________________ 01.24.09 * Stop Motion Works: Coraline Give-away
Contest ....
A few selected websites were offered to sponsor the 'Coraline' contests
and SMW was
one of them. E ach
of these
contests are being done differently. I believe, I'm doing one of the
easier contest entry requirements. You do not have to answer trivia
questions and no submission
of 'Coraline'
related artwork or do any kind of
animations. All you have to do, is subscribe
to the
Stop Motion Works News
email notification.
This is a FREE service.
Anytime we post news here (which is more frequent & regular
now),
you will automatically receive an email to notify you that the latest news is online.  Look dudes & dudettes, we provide unique spin on Stop Motion & animation in general, with injection of occasional tirades, 'meaning of life' insights, and slight politics  .
If you do not want to enter the contest, how about
just subscribing
to the frigg'n SMW News
or if
you prefer, use the RSS
Feed?
Sheeeez, you lurking
Stop Moes are
the most zip-lipped & non-interactive introverts . The least
you
can do, is this favor.
I have 'ego needs'
too
and desire to experience a
similar Sally
Fields ephiphany  .
Stop Motion Works version of
this 'Coraline' contest is soooo easy. What are you waiting
for?
Here is the SMW
Coraline
Contest page* Charles H. Schneer passes away, 1920-2009  .... He
was always in the background as the producer
for almost all of Ray
Harryhausen's classic features. Unfortunately, it
looks like C harles had
Alzheimers. As
far as I know, only one major
online news outlet, Variety
has reported on the
death of Charles
Schneer
(Jan 21) and other online news taken from
Variety. In hindsight, it appears that Schneer's public
appearances were rare including in the media. Here is one of him in 1977
and
another very brief one, around 1988;
at
7min
30secs you'll
see Charles. It's usually the unsung
hard working people behind the scenes that many times, do not get recognized (in all
manner of life
accomplishments, in general). Charles' job likely not considered
glamorous. From what I heard & understood, his personality was
maybe somewhat gruff
and
business-like, which probably what is needed to be an
effective
'producer'. A better write-up, L.A.TIMESLet's hope in the history of cinema, in this micro-niche of Stop Motion Animation, that Schneer's name will be remembered as the right hand man behind Ray Harryhausen, a team that was the seed of inspiration to many of the Special Effects practioners of today. Some comments/statements from others Aint it Cool - Monster Kid Class Forum - Stop Motion Forum EDIT: 01.25.09 ____________________ 01.18.09 * Sarah Silverman:
Birth to
Beastie .... This is my fourth
post on Tennapel & Chiodo Brothers
about this
specific Stop Mo puppet saga. The last one was back
in August
'08. This final SMW News installment (maybe), we have a link
to
behind the scenes of the Sarah
Silverman Show, shooting the episode where she gives birth
to this green flying creature thing. It appears that these are the
rough trial or temporary composites of the Stop Mo shots. I do not
subscribe to TV cable or satillite dish to watch this show or the other
plethora of mind numbing TV channel
diversions. Anyway, take a look at the video clip Sarah's
Baby Birth* Coraline Handmade Mystery Boxes .... Topic at messageboard about this. They are trying to figure out who got the boxes. I assume some of the mystery box recipients do not visit the forum (or they maybe just lurk & info sponge). If you are one of the one's counting the 50 Boxes, maybe this will help Coraline Boxes Coraline ~ 50 boxes + MORE! Jeremy Spake and here * Stop Motion Works Happenings & Update .... Just did very slight change of SMW News layout at top of page. I got bored of looking at the repetitive flashing banners so I replaced it with a player window box for random posting of clips & videos of  anything that I want
to show (kind of
like 'Video of the Week' thing) and not necessarily related to
just animation. Other update: Stop Motion Works might host some kind
of Coraline Contest
giveaway prizes
(not sure yet).I was recently pondering
about
Stop Motion Animation
as a powerful
communication
tool to
make commentary
and impact.
Online movie-vids-clips in
general (not only animation) being steadily uploaded now,
thanks to the plethora of YouTube and other free video hosting
sites.The
uploaded videos many times are not slick or polished but sometimes
still able to make some kind of strong 'statement' that grabs the
audience and it
then goes viral. Example 1 Example 2.
Historically
and to present day,
Politics and
Entertainment has at times, been combined to propagandize,
but
now, even more hyper-frequent blurring
together with all these new media high tech
communication tools to
brainwash  ,
I mean, to 'persuade' the gullible
minds of The
New
Millenium MySpacey iPodified Generation and also, some of
the
older Pot
Smoking generation
from the Hippie
Dippy Days  ____________________ 01.12.09 * 'Subservience'
and 'Love & War' .... One
might
categorize these as drama
or maybe
highbrow subject
animations, at least the first one here. Promoters of
the Stop Motion animated short,
'Subservience' gives this brief overview: "In this apocalyptic vision of
the future,
the selfishness of the bourgeoisie and the dull passivity of its
servants are the theme of this puppet animation presenting the
tragicomedy of a society in its death throes, taking refuge in absurd
behaviour." 
If the theme or story
is vague or ethereal, at the very least, imagery, scenes, compositions,
lighting, etc. executed with some finesse. 'Love & War' 
is described as a Romantic Soap Opera. The two main characters are
anthropromorphized animals
acting as humans (as in many animations since the beginning of
cinema history). In this one it's Bunny
& Bear that have the 'Hots' for each other  .
I'm spotlighting it here only
because the promo-buzz on the
internet suggests
that it is 'Animation
and/or Stop Motion'.
To me, It looks like Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds
live action puppet work which is fine, however maybe a misrepresention of
the technique
used to create 'Love & War'?? This also has some CGI
for
background and other computer added digital FX. Reasonably okay with
regards to story, but IMO, the grandiose,
sweeping & dramatic musical
score
orchestration seems
to be overkill
or clash
with the doll-like puppet
visual style. So, you think
'L & W' is Stop Motion? For those with patience and at your option, herewith enclosed ..... 'Subservience' is 8 minutes and 'Love & War' is 14 minutes. * Stop Motion Armature Kits .... I am briefly commenting about what you might call, my competitors 
since the area of my
strong expertise is Custom Stop
Motion
Armatures. For some years, I have had blueprints and concepts
for
'LIO Style?'
modular stop motion armaturing kits or parts. Unfortunately, from the
inquiries I receive, the general consumer
'public' seems
to expect Walmart-like
discounted pricing.
If I ever got into armature kit making, I am not going to
under-price them. I
have to value my time/labor and focus on what has to pay the
rent/bills. The 'Armature Kits' that are floating out there on the internet, vary in quality. I do not know how well they function and do not expect me to give them endorsements because I have not ever received sample armature kits, for me to make an objective evaluation. I can only can go by their armature photos and some of the past anecdotals comments by those who purchased armature kits. The 'all jointed armature kits' that are available, by studying the photos, I can do some critiquing & suggestions for design and engineering improvements, however, I would be giving away some of my secrets to the competitors .
In
general though, for the reasonable costs for
the armature kits, I suppose they should work reasonably okay. Most kits offered
are of generic human form.
You would have
to do additional modifications and get additional joints to make other
kinds of non-humans, animals, or creature-type armatures. At this time, I personally do custom pro armatures, but FYI, I am listing those who provide some form of 'Armature Kits or Parts'. Only listing them (in no particular order) and I am not endorsing them. Up to you to check them out, Skeletoon - Animation Supplies - Armaverse - Armabenders - Hugh's Armatures - Stop-Mo-Tec - Armature FX ____________________ 01.07.09 * 'Coraline':
Industrial
Machine-Vision Cameras used .... Okay, I know
some of
you mega-schmega pixel-holics & compulsive equipment
nerds,
may accidentally crap
in your
pants about this (delirious with excitement). Nothing I can do about
you addicts 
of
technical gadgetry, toys, and
bells & whistles.
Remember, it is the artists
& their skilled talents
that are the foundation
of the
finished creative work.
Relying on Technology
or Special Effects Up the WaZoo,
will NOT make GREAT movies (You understand .... 'Suits'?  )'Coraline' production used Redlake machine-vision digital cams, model Megaplus II / EC11000. Specs say these cams are 11 Mega-pixels and have thermo-electric CooLing feature. The article-byte I read, states that about 3 dozen of these cameras where purchased by Laika. Do not rush for your credit cards. You have to contact the specialty camera company sellers, just to get a 'price quote' for these cameras. If 'prices' are not listed on the internet, you can be sure that they are Hella EXPENSIVE. I am assuming that each camera is about the cost of a CAR?? I am also guessing, these Megaplus II cams likely needed additional tweaking, adjusting, or slight modification for Stop Motion/Motion Picture use, and maybe 'proprietary software' created. All that, jacking-up the cost of the already hyper-priced cams. One of the mega-perks of having Mega-mega million dollar budgets for a movie. Here you go, dig in & pig-out in your fantasy wet dreams ,
what is
perhaps, the 'Nirvana Holy Grail' digital camera for Stop Motion
Animation (In
designer colors maybe?) CCD
cams enable Stop Motion in feature film - MegaPlus
II EC11000 cooled digital camera - One
of sellers of MegaPlus digi-cams - Detailed
MegaPlus EC1100 Specs* Unsettling Stop Motion .... Examples of the power of Stop Motion and to those who may diss it and still continue to stereotype Stop Mo as for, 'kids only'. For me, viewing all these online video hosting sites in these small player windows is not a substitute for watching on a good ol' Television set and then kicking back in your comfortable couch (a better viewing experience). I suppose, 'online viewing' on computer is better than nothing. These animated shorts would have more impact in totally dark room (to enhance creepy factor) with the volume cranked up (again, ideally on TV set) Here you go 'Illuminant' by Tobias - 'Lucía' made in Chile - 'Santa goes South' directed by Peter Wallach * 'Coraline' Exhibit in San Francisco .... Jan 24 - Feb 15 according to this post and will take place at the Cartoon Art Museum. * 'Gerald's Last Day' .... A Stop Motion short by Justin Rasch & crew (his family!). Took about 3 years and he blogged about the progress. Justin experienced at 2D & CGI animation but this was his first attempt at Stop Motion. Ups and downs during production but finally finished. His perseverance, artistic creative talents, and 'animation principle' savvy, resulting in a very professional looking animated short. It is now doing the Film Festival Tour. Here is video interview & check-out his Stop Motion Mission blog. * 'Ghostbusters' Terror Dog Stop Mo puppet on eBay .... This was sold last month Dec 11, for $13,000. Did not include the jointed armature. Likely, replaced with a wire armature inside puppet. ____________________  01.02.09 * Michael Sullivan more Underground
than L.A.
Underground Stop Moes .... I sometimes,
affectionately refer
to a certain 'clique' of Stop Motio nists who are usually
secretive,
withdrawn, and zip-lipped on the forums , as
the L.A.
Underground Stop Moes .
They
have worked on 'Robot Chicken', 'Morel Orel', and
other Stop Motion
projects.This Sullivan dude though, does not seem to be from the L.A. crowd (maybe East Coaster NY). He could be his own clique of 'one' and on the fringe edges, and sort of Bruce Bickford'ish? A 'mucho un artista independiente ' who does not follow any crowd. At this time Mr. M. Sullivan seems to be exploring Adult or "How you say?" Erotic themed Stop Motion about the 'Sex Lives of Robots' . All
stylized and utilizing Junk
Yard
ambiance
which is very real
and not CGI
faked like that '9' in progress
Acker flick.
Just think; hard to believe that there exists, Stop Motionists who
never ever visited the Stop Motion message board?? Hmmm, or
maybe
Michael Sullivan actually has lurked & info sponged the forum?
We
will never known. This is for Mature
Audiences. Quick
read & pics Watch
Teaser* Library of Congress adds 25 Films .... Includes 'The 7th Voyage of Sinbad' (1958) and 'The Terminator' (1984). The registry recognizes movies that are "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant, to be preserved for all time. * Comic Con: New York City Feb 6 to 8 .... 'Robot Chicken's' (Stop Motion) Seth Green and Matthew Senreich are special guests. My cousin  ,
Guillermo
Del Toro (Stop Motion 'Pinocchio' movie) will
also be a guest at Con. This is the biggest gathering on the
East Coast which is not about Stop Motion but with more than 2,500
booths of action figures, comic books, collectibles, T-shirts and other
things related to the 'genre',
all spread out over three levels. If you have time, maybe opportunity
to schmooz with some in the
'genre biz'.* Live Action looks like simple Stop Motion .... A method using Tilt-Shift Photography and other post software photo tricks that gives images a 'miniature-like' illusion. * OFF TOPIC : Celebrating 2009? ..... You got amnesia already? Bailed-out Wall Street & many others in the 'clique' getting the big $$$ hand-outs, are the likely one's who are 'Celebrating & Partying'. Let's see if the new President aka 'The One' is pragmatic & has commonsense and not go too extreme towards the Liberal agenda. No way that electric & especially solar, can meet the very Heavy Duty power needs of most current UPS delivery trucks and the 18 Wheelers that transport YOUR everyday goods and consumer products (foam latex, ultra-cal, clay, machine tools ). It
is insane
to impose more taxes
on businesses
in verrrry BAD economy.
'Green Global Warm'ist Gestapos' proposing
FEEs
on
Farmer's Livestock, known as 'Cow
Fart Tax'. Who will pay more for dairy & meat
products? YOU. You, me, and many are smarter than these elected
government bureaucrats. If they
do not listen or perform, kick
their asses out! 
Does
not matter which political
party. Happy New Year? I will let you
know January 1, 2010, if it was  .* January SMW Random Cinema©:
| ||||||||
| Search | Site Map | |||||||
Stop Motion
Works & StopMoWorks © 2000 - 08
/
Terms of
Use
**** |
