Stop Motion Workshop 2025
Overview[edit]
Stop motion workshop held at Geeky Teas in Burbank, led by Brett Long. Some shows he's worked on: Mickey and Friends, and Trick or Treat.
Equipment[edit]
Misc[edit]
- C-Stand from Amazon ($75)
- Stop Motion Pro - app for phone or desktop(free)
- fiber fill - A cotton type material used for smoke effects
DragonFrame app[edit]
The industry standard stop motion app (not free).
DF allows for controlled camera moves.
DSLR[edit]
When using a DSLR, use prime lenses to insure the image position remains consistent.
Make all F-stop adjustments, etc on the lens, not the camera. Use a cable, not a battery for power because changing the battery will shift the position of the camera.
Lighting[edit]
A LED stip light can be hooked up to a desktop computer.
The Dragon Frame software can control each channel of light (RGBW), e.g. make an amber light via controls in software.
A shower curtain can be used over lights to create diffusion. Industry standard material is expensive.
Track read[edit]
Track reading is mapping dialog to frames of animation. Offset the image 4 frames after audio for a more realistic effect.
Staging[edit]
Present characters facing the camera even when two characters are in conversation.
Ease in/out[edit]
Anticipation[edit]
Move opposite of the direction of the main action.
Follow through[edit]
How something attached to a main body moves relative to the main body, e.g. loose clothing or long hair.
Exaggeration[edit]
A little extra added to actions for more life.
Secondardy action[edit]
Pounding on a desk -- objects on the desk shake in reaction.
Squash and stretch[edit]
Move possible with clay ball flattening as it hits the ground.
Reference[edit]
Original notes are in Pocket Sketchbook 2014, pp. 63-69.