Stop-motion Filming and Performance: A Guide to Cameras, Lighting and Dramatic Techniques [Paperback]

Tom Brierton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786424176 | ISBN-13: 978-0786424177 | Publication Date: February 1, 2006

Stop-motion animation has long been perceived as a technical practice rather than a creative, demanding art. Though stop-motion requires considerable technical knowledge, it also involves aesthetics and artistry that go beyond the technician’s realm. Just as important as puppet mechanics are lighting, filters, lenses, camera angle and placement, and dramatic pose and movement. This manual is a complete guide to the aesthetics of stop-motion animation. Information is organized in an intuitive, easy-to-use structure, following the order an animator uses in setting up and then executing a scene. The first half concentrates on the aesthetics of lighting and cameras, a primary concern in any shot, with details of camera placement, various lenses and myriad lighting techniques. The second half deals with the process of performance art, an oft-overlooked aspect of stop-motion animation. Included is a commentary on body language, facial expression, gesture, movement and emotion—key concepts that are exemplified through the acting process. The work also offers an introduction to narrative form and a glossary of related terms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Interesting...worthy of your attention...a complete guide."--John Kenneth Muir, Reflections on Film/TV

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Tom Brierton is an independent filmmaker/educator and the author of Stop-Motion Armature Machining: A Construction Manual (2002) and Stop-Motion Puppet Sculpting: A Manual of Foam Injection, Build-Up, and Finishing Techniques (2004). He lives in LaGrange, Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (February 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786424176
• ISBN-13: 978-0786424177
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,458,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Stop-Motion Filming and Performance, July 3, 2007

By 

T. H. Brierton "Tom Brierton" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stop-motion Filming and Performance: A Guide to Cameras, Lighting and Dramatic Techniques (Paperback)

Like its two previous manuals, Stop-Motion Armature Machining and Stop-Motion Puppet Sculpting and Fabrication, the publisher chose to print Stop-Motion Filming and Performance on substandard paper stock, with low-quality images. This hurts the overall look of the manual, belies the content of the manual, and results in a product that is overpriced for what one gets visually.

The author had requested color photographs for the lighting portion of the manual, and was initially told by the publisher that up to 8 color images would be printed. Eventually, color photos were not used, which further impeded the manual's discussion on color lighting.

The most important aspects of filmmaking (be it live-action or animation) are the story and performances. As such, the author spent a great deal of time discussing story development and animation performance. The author would especially welcome comments from consumers of the manual on those aspects of the manual as well, and to provide more objective and fair criticism.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK, April 6, 2007

By 

Mohammad Yousuf "yoses" (Miami, Fl) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stop-motion Filming and Performance: A Guide to Cameras, Lighting and Dramatic Techniques (Paperback)

I am a film student at the University of Miami. I was trying a first time stop/motion experiment and bought this awful book. The section on lighting techniques are all introductory and in no way specific to stop/motion animation. The very few pictures in the book are in b/w and extremely muddy. It is way too general, a complete waste of time, and a rip off for 50 bucks.

1.0 out of 5 stars OVERPRICED for what you get, May 26, 2010

By 

Andres M. "Book" (Mexico) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stop-motion Filming and Performance: A Guide to Cameras, Lighting and Dramatic Techniques (Paperback)

I live in Mexico, and bought this book months ago along with other stop motion animation texts. When i first took a look to one of those, CREATING 3D ANIMATION by AARDMAN, I was pleasantly impressed with the beautiful hard cover, the quality of its sheets and images, same as the clerness and helpfulness of its content. So after tasting this charming product i jumped to the FOUR times more expensive STOP-MOTION, FILMING and PERFORMANCE book, and i couldnt but felt totally cheated, when i found what it looks more like a Booklet made with bad printed photocopies, with dark, incomprenhensible pictures and a content with vague and duff fundamentals. I wouldnt feel so outraged if this material would have cost no more than 5dlls, but considering the price i paid for such poor editorial effort, and comparing it with the other books i got about the same topic, (much more professional, useful, and CHEAPER) i consider this book as a real THEFT-LOOTING.