We will be exploring two different ways to achieve a stop motion morph animation. In both cases the goal is not only to get from the first to last target in so many increments, but to get there with character and energy in your motion. The Keys are the first and last morph target. Breakdowns establish the arc and character of the motion. Squash and stretch can add visual interest while holds and eases add variety and character to your timing.
1. CLAY MORPH - IN CAMERA
Animated morph in 12 steps. Shot in 1's at 12 fps while animating clay directly under the camera.
Pro tips:
- Warm clay is so much easier to animate.
- Keep wipes on hand to keep your hands and your shoot surface clean.
- Be extra careful with reds, blacks, and other high pigment clays. They can leave smudges everywhere!
Instructions:
- Work out some options in your sketch book first. You may even want to test you ideas with a flipbook.
- Practice sculpting your keys (beginning, middle & end)
- Set up your shoot space, lighting, & exposure. Test your focus parameters by shooting test frames.
- Practice animating in small increments directly under the camera. Test any rigs.
- Final Shoot. Take your time and animate straight through from beginning to end.
- Export MP4 Movie, archive Dragonframe project, and add SFX in Premiere.
Specs:
- Final piece should be between 5 and 6 seconds
- Add sound FX in Premiere
- 1920 x 1080 h264 12 fps
Name: simpsonB_clayMorph.mp4
Tutorials you may need:
2. REPLACEMENT MORPH
12-14 clay replacement states, shot at 12fps in one's. Start by sculpting your target objects. Remember to keep it simple.
Pro tips:
- Maintaining volume can make the difference between smooth motion and erratic animation. One way to maintain volume is to start with 12-14 identical balls of clay.
- Make a small pencil mark on your shooting stage so as not to loose your center.
Instructions:
- Work out some options in your sketch book first. You may even want to test you ideas with a flipbook.
- Sculpt your Keys/Morph Targets first to establish the beginning and end states.
- Sculpt your Breakdowns. These define your arcs. This is where you make your morph interesting.
- Shoot #1 Blocking : Keys and Breakdown shot @ 6 fps. This will give you a chunky version of your final animation.
- Sculpt ease and inbetween states to establish final timing.
- Shoot #2 Rehearsal : Final Replacement states @ 12 fps.
- Shoot #3 Final Animation: Now that you have your animated states, take some time with lighting and plan out your final shoot.
- Export MP4 Movie, archive Dragonframe project, and add SFX in Premiere.
Specs:
- Final piece should be between 5 and 6 seconds
- Add sound FX in Premiere
- 1920 x 1080 h264 12 fps
Name: simpsonB_replacementMorph.mp4
Tutorials you may need: