Video & Sound Production

/3/2022 -

Jodiann Yeoh Chooi Kit 0352238

Video & Sound Production || Final Project : Stop Motion

Instructions

Video & Sound Production MIB

Final Project : Stop Motion

We were instructed to watch then pick 3 videos of either stop motion animation or visual effects videos. Although I have no experience with claymation, I have decided to go for stop motion as I appreciate the art form and is one of my most treasured memory of my childhood when watching films such as Wallace and Gromit, Coraline, Shaun the Sheep etc.

Man With Issues by Colossus Films

Type : Claymation

I absolutely adore deep concept films especially in claymation. The film starts off with a man, locked up in a cell wearing a straight jacket, talking about how he would do horrible things, we would all assume that he is mentally unstable and is in a mentally insane institution. It was then revealed that he is actually a doctor and the person who runs the institution itself. The story behind this film as I interpreted it is about good and evil that exists in men and how each is teetering on a line between sanity and insanity and how one deals with keeping the balance.

The set itself was simple as it is confined to a small space, lighting contributed to the setting which is a small cell, the subject(man) is in different spaces of the room as he contemplates about everything giving the impression that he is all over the place. The background sounds of water dripping from a tap was effective in creating a distressing aura.

UTOPIA by Guldies

Type : Claymation

This claymation is truly a perfect example of how important sound design is. By adding the sounds, some clay can "become" hard and inflexible, or alive, liquid, or a button. The visuals are so weird and creepy, but in a good way where it compliments the entire vibe. It's hard to nail such precision and detail whilst maintaining smoothness throughout. It doesn't have a plot nor storyline but is spontaneously based on creativity itself which is what I find admirable.

THE SEPARATION by Robert Morgan

Type : Claymation

The claymation is a silent film where only sound effects and sort of ASMR sounds were used. Though no words were being said, the facial expressions conveyed their feelings and somewhat their thoughts effectively. The aura of the entire film was creepy, touching, and sad. The scene contained lots of props and small details which I felt was very tedious.

1. Proposal

Final Project Proposal

Materials

- Wire

- Double sided tape

- Scissors

- Sculpting tools

- Modelling clay and polymer clay

- Aluminium foil

- 2 lamps

- Tripod stand

- Fisheye lens

2. Sculpting

Characters/Objects

- Abbott(Main Character)

- Abbott's monster alter ego

- Blobfish

- Infant

- TV

- Brain

- 2 hands

- Eyes

- Door

Basic form of Abbott's facial anatomy

I first rolled up a ball of aluminium foil then covered it in modelling clay. I didn't make the head out of clay entirely as it would make the head to heavy and potentially cause the completed form of Abbott to lose balance and fall during shoots. That would ruin the progress of filming.

Adding facial details

I started adding details to the face such as anatomical facial features. I've also added some wrinkles to give a realistic texture resembling an actual human face. I added some pink to his nose for some contrast and to "pop" out his features. As you can see, he is slightly smiling. This is to add to the eerie effect.

Adding the body

My vision of Abbott's body is skinny and frail, reflected through his thin arms and legs, his bone-like body, all of which are disproportionate to his head. This is intentional as I wanted it to be slightly caricatured.

Completed body

I wanted the colour of what he wore to reflect the mood of the story. Thus, I made the colour dull.

Abbott's final form

I wanted his eyes to be large to the point where it stuck out of his head, sort of staring into the viewers soul. This adds to the creepiness. You will see that all my characters(side) would also have large disproportionate eyes.

Side elements/characters

Sculpting basic form of hands

I used aluminium to replicate the thickness of the palm. I did not use modelling clay for its entirety as it would only add weight to it and would make the animation process more difficult(risk of it dropping during the frames). For the fingers, I used wire to act as the bones. This would prevent the fingers from "drooping" down, possibly ruining the animation during the filming. I then used modelling clay to wrap around the aluminium & wires to create the skin. It sort of felt like I was decorating cake as it was like placing fondant on the cake then moulding it to the shape I desire.

Adding in detail

I love realism and I want that to be reflected in what I create. So I made sure the hand was somewhat anatomically correct to resemble an actual hand. I added wrinkles and creases, finger nails, muscles, bones and tendons. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

Finished hands

3. Filming

I first set up my workstation(I chose my desk in my bedroom). I wanted the lighting to be dark with bright cool toned lights on the subject. This creates sort of an interrogatory feeling, contributing to the anxiety inducing effect.

Rigging - A technique which involves making subjects defy gravity. It acts as a support system for characters and props to be animated mid-air.

Camera settings on app

- Do not put settings as auto

- Set as 12fps

- Set shutter speed as 160

- Set focus manually(depends on how close or near the subject is) and ensure that it is not blurred.

Rigging in scene 8

As I do not own a rig or winder, I created my own makeshift rig, made out of polymer clay and wire. I first took a picture of my background, then added in my desired props & character, then began taking the frames. After completion, I masked the frame which I want to edit out the rig and erased the areas which I did not want in the animation. The rig gave me more control over the movement of the character, thus making it move more "human like" and made the process smoother, reflected through the transitions of movements.

Filming scenes on stop motion app on phone

Scene 1

An eyeball rolling to foreshadow what is to come

Scene 2

Abbott laying around and mushrooms sprout out then he touches it and they both fall down. He falls asleep.

Scene 3

The brain moves around and pulsates then the hand grabs it and moves out of frame.

Scene 4

Abbott's dream begins. His head shifts into different things. His dreams are interrupted by knocks on his door.

Scene 5

Abbott awakes from his dreams and crawls to his knocking door to see who is outside.

Scene 6

Abbott peers through the peep hole.

Scene 7

He sees a fleshy headed monster smiling eerily at him. Its tentacles and extra limb on his head is moving around. It then looks towards Abbott, like its mirroring him.