The Art of Stop-Motion Animation [Paperback]

Ken A. Priebe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1598632442 | ISBN-13: 978-1598632446 | Publication Date: July 11, 2006 | Edition: 1

Through the magic of stop-motion animation, inanimate objects seem to spring to life. With true artistic passion and finesse, a stop-motion film evokes the nostalgia of childhood when imagination could bring toys to life. Stop-motion retains the art and performance that are the heart and soul of captivating animation. Beginning with a history of stop-motion animation, The Art of Stop-Motion Animation takes you on a unique journey - uncovering the origins of this art form and examining what continues to draw viewers to these films. Through several hands-on exercises, you'll learn how to create puppets and how to bring them to life as you create your own stop-motion film. Interviews with industry professionals offer a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look into the undying art form of stop-motion animation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition (July 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598632442
• ISBN-13: 978-1598632446
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #946,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Newbie's guide, January 16, 2008

By 

Enzo Hernandez (Mexico) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation (Paperback)

First, I must say that the book's cover was designed good enough, and previous reviews in this page, were so appealing that made me expect a little more of stop-motion movie related examples than what I found.

However,basic and rough exercises through the book (and the CD-ROM)are useful enough for any stop- motion beginner to keep him/her motivated without expecting outrageous results.

The book offers also some interesting data through the appendix section. I believe it's a good starting reference, but not outstanding alone.

If you are interested for more in depth stop-motion references, check this other titles available from amazon. I believe you wont be decieved:

Books

*Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model Animation (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation) (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation) by Susannah Shaw.
(Full of average difficulty stop-motion tips and exercises)

* Stop Motion: Passion, Process and Performance by Barry J C Purves
(A really passionate book about stop-motion, its origins and particular procedures through case studies and interviews. Fully recommended-)

DVD

There are a great number of commercial stop-motion DVDs through amazon U.S., but I really would like to recommend this less commercial title from amazon UK. I really hope it's still available by the time you read this (you could still find it in other european websites with international shipping services, but I believe this kind of information is banned in amazon):

*Peter & The Wolf - Sergei Prokofiev
DVD ~ Suzie Templeton
(A must have!)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for beginners!, February 11, 2010

By 

Marc Spess "Stop Motion Guy" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation (Paperback)

I'm the author of Secrets of Clay Animation Revealed and have read just about every book out there on how to create stop motion films. I'm always trying to learn because after working in the industry - sometimes I get bored reading these sorts of books. That's not the case with Ken Priebes Art of Stop Motion Animation. Even if you are an experienced animator, it's worth buying this book just for the interviews and behind the scenes pictures. At least for me, I can never get enough pictures of the various productions going on out there.

The images are in full color and the book comes with a disk of animation examples to help the reader see final animations of characters within the book. Pretty much everything you need to understand how to animate, create puppets, find a camera, time animation, use exposure sheets, light and finish your film is in the book. It definitely belongs on the bookshelf of every stop motion animator.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great content, December 22, 2006

By 

H. M. Martinez "Shelly" (Tijuana, México) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation (Paperback)

I was curious about stop-motion animation and decided to invest in this book. I have to say that is very useful and well explained. The examples are great and the book guides you step by step on how to get started. It is worth the money.