Stop Motion Animation

Here is a simple guide on how to take pictures and turn them into a short video.

All the videos that I edit are on http://youtube.com/user/FatManGroupAndHippie

Materials needed:

A Camera
A memory card or camera-to-computer cable
A computer
Windows Movie Maker

Step 1 Find a subject

First of all find something to take pictures of. If it is a friend make sure they know how to sit still for quite a while. If it is an object..don't worry, it has all the time in the world.

It is always a good idea to write up a script or a story board so your friend/object knows exactly how to move in each frame.

Comments

[hiwaarco]

We are looking for some one who would be able to draw. We are producing an animated short film
please reply to
[e-mail]

[iknowirule3]

When I use Movie Maker, it only lets me hit the magnify button once. Why is this???Tried doing a Lego Star Wars animation movie but the length of the photos is too long. Hope someone can help plz.

[voemaster]

I have the same problem

 

[greatpen]

I have done something similar, with Pirate lego. A story about a pirate trapped on an island.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1235937/pirates_arghhhhh/

[flubs]

 lol. thats good. and funy

[reedz]

Great video, this is really a simple skill. It just takes the virtue of patience. Thanks for sharing though.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

cut your hair u look like a betnik

[Liberty Prime]

(removed by author or community request)

[knibbles]

Could you please unremove the video

[Liberty Prime]

Actually, here's an awesome one I had.

[super moderator]

For mac users (not me) try iStop Motion. Used it in my moviemaking class and loved it.

[hg341]

^{*must not play with legos* did you know lego means i bulit(i think)}well done

[Wills42]

There are much much better alternatives to working in moviemaker. I would suggest using Monkey Jam to capture all of your photos. It puts your pictures together automatically. And it's also free! And for movies I suggest getting a desk lamp or something for lighting. No one wants to not be able to see anything. And don't forget to FOCUS! I don't enjoy seeing blurry things, and I highly doubt anyone else does too. So yeah, good instructable, you did provide good enough information, and a video, so yeah.

[BurningSandman]

Just an Idea, theres this program called photoscape, that lets you do many things with your photos, one of the cooler features is Anigif, which allows you too compile some photos, and make them into a movie, it takes abit of time, but after its loaded, you can adjust the framerate and other things, it's quite helpful. Heres the link, it's free too :) :http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/index.php

[.(((QUICKSILVER))).]

is there an alternative to windows movie maker? i have a mac

[reedz]

Yeah there should be, I think there is something called iMovie. One of my Mac Fanboy friends was talking about it. Ask around because I'm not exactly sure.

[.(((QUICKSILVER))).]

ok thanks i will try it out

[conrad2468]

if you want a good movie your gonna have to edit EACH photo to keep it good IT TAKES FOREVER

[Sunny124613]

uhh, I think that I kinda like this, I will try it when I get the time...

[joejoerowley]

Hey nice instructable! Sadly you can't use it for the contest. I asked fungus amungus about this exactly and he said it would not be eligible so please remove it. Thanks

[reedz]

Why in the world can't I use it? I'm not angry...but I thought it would work.

[joejoerowley]

IDK, i really wanted to do it also but he said I could not. Here is what I said to him, "I can I do tips for cinematography? Thanks" He Responded, "If the movie is just one frame, then yes." So I don't think this is valid. I which it was though.

[Weissensteinburg]

Stop motion animation is synonymous for stop motion photography...did you ask specifically about about stop motion, or just movie making?

[joejoerowley]

I said "cinematography" not stop motion so maybe this will work. I hope so!!

[reedz]

Just an update...I've had this instructable in for more than a week now and I believe it isn't going to get kicked out, I haven't had any warnings yet.

[joejoerowley]

Cool! Thanks! Sounds Good!

[reedz]

Thank you, that is exactly what I thought

[reedz]

Hey try it anyway...if it isn't allowed the staff will tell us. It's worth it to at least try

[CelloMan]

i'm trying to make a 7min 42sec vid but i've already taken over 100 photos and it is only 33secs long

[CelloMan]

P.S. the reasoon it's 7:42 because of the length of the song

[reedz]

You can adjust how long each picture is, most video cameras film at 12fps, that means that for every second there are twelve pictures. You could probably get away with six or even four per second.

[CelloMan]

i'm doin bout 9fps each pic is 0.13 seconds long

[reedz]

That sounds good, either add to your story line or add time where there isn't much movement

[CelloMan]

now i'v taken almost 200 pics and im up to a little less that a minute

[reedz]

By the way...I would love to see it when you are finished.

[CelloMan]

i think thats possible

[reedz]

Thank you very much.

[reedz]

Just stick with it...stop motion animation generally takes more time than most types of videos

[rubberchicken]

I would recommend importing the pictures into monkey jam(Download at http://www.giantscreamingrobotmonkeys.com/monkeyjam/index.html) then put that in movie maker

[reedz]

Thanks, I looked at that a little bit. It seems more just like an extra step to me. But I guess I'm used to having my fingers glued to hotkeys for the Movie Maker