Getting Started

    GETTING STARTED IN CLAY ANIMATION

                     This page is going to show you the basics of clay animation. Just scroll down for an overview, or click on one of the topics to go directly to a specific area. Also check out for his advice about clay animating and our "In Details" page, which is full of tips and tricks for when you get the hang of it.

Where To Start 

        Clay animation, clay animation, where to start? Well, to begin with, you need to find your imagination. Next you must organize. Then begin the fun! Are you ready for the ride of your life? I sure hope so because here we go!

Preparation

       First, you should come up with an idea for a character, props, and a background. With this information, come up with a storyboard for the idea to your movie. Your storyboard should include the basic layout of what you want to happen in your movie. Most importantly, USE YOUR IMAGINATION!! (You know, that thing that comes up with interesting and fun ideas that make everything better than it would have been if you hadn't used it.) After creating your character in your mind, start picking out your weapons (tools) and your colors and organize them as best you can, by putting them in order of use.

Creating Your Character

      Start developing your character with the clay you have, by forming the clay into shapes that look like the character you created in your mind. Start with basic shapes and eventually work your way to the more difficult details, such as: eye colors, teeth and mouth shapes, hair shapes, and finger and toe shapes. Soon your character will start to form and become alive before your eyes. Keep adding and adding and sculpting and sculpting and soon you can begin the process of shooting your movie.



Props and Backround Settings

      The props and background part of clay animation is probably the second most improtant thing. It should be colorful and detailed. The props you use should look good with the character and the background should be the setting of your character (where you want your character to be). How you want your character to appear depends completely on its surroundings. For example, if you want your character to stand out a lot, don't make the background full of bright colors and too many scenes. If you don't want to make your character stand out then you need to use overpowering colors and many scenes and images.



Color

      When dealing with colors you need to use contrast. Don't make the character the same color as the background or the character will never be seen. Also, make the clay stand out by using bright and attractive colors instead of dull and ugly colors.


Sound

     Sound is also an important part in clay animation. Although this choice is optional, it is a wonderful advantage to a movie. If you do choose to use sound then it should have something to do with the mood of the movie. For example, let's say you were making a scary clay animation movie, you wouldn't want cheery music as the background sound. Or what if you were making a movie about two friends that haven't seen each other in 5 years and they are now reuniting, you wouldn't want a creepy noise in the background, you would want something that makes the moment touching and sad or happy. In other words don't make the sound, sound awful with your movie.

How To Shoot Your Character


        This is an example of a digital camera. It is used to shoot your images and shows you what each one looks like on the screen as you take them.

        When everything is in complete order and you have everything set up and ready to go, you will need to start shooting your mavie. Make sure your props, your background, and your charcter(s) are all in their proper position. Then you will need to have a stop-frame super 8mm or 16 mm camera . You can also use a digital camera. A digital camera is probably best, because it takes individul shots and is less expensive than the other cameras. Any format that you use, whether it be a 8mm, 16mm, or a digital camera, make sure it has a program with it that allows you to import it into the computer where you can manipulate your single frame pictures, picture by picture. We have found that the easiest way to do this is by using the digital camera and putting the images into a computer program designed for this.