Stop Motion: Craft Skills for Model Animation, Second Edition (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation) (Paperback)

~ Susannah Shaw (Author)
Key Phrases: corpse bride, animation masterclass, model animators, Teresa Drilling, Chicken Run, Pete Lord (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A wonderful introduction to a rather complicated and unique art form.'
Ray Harryhausen director of The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, and Jason and the Argonauts

'Don't attempt stop motion before you read this book! Susannah has covered everything in this no-nonsense approach to the industry.'
Richard Goleszowski director of Creature Comforts and Rex the Runt

'contains a huge amount of valuable information for the budding stop-frame film maker. A great addition to the film craft library.'
David Sproxton, co-founder and Managing Director of Aardman Animations
"...a mine of information. This book gives an unrivalled detailed technical overview of the subject."
The Times Higher Education Supplement

"... clear and concise text...This is the perfect book for anyone contemplating getting into model animation."
Dope Sheet

'Practical, informative and full of quotes from key characters in the story of the stop-frame industry. I wish I'd had this book when I was a student.'
Joan Ashworth, Head of Animation, Royal College of Art

Book Description

This authoritative primer of the craft skills required in model animation teaches the basic building blocks of the creation of character driven animation.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (March 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240520556
• ISBN-13: 978-0240520551
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #161,373 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too many holes, April 2, 2009

By	J. McGowan (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I knew nothing about stop motion before I read this book so I did learn a lot but there is no way I could make a stop motion film yet. The book leaves too many holes. For example, while the book mentions dope sheets and story boards (and show small, difficult-to-read examples), it doesn't tell how to do them. The book also wastes a lot of time and space with extended quotes from people in the industry. For the most part, they are "funny day at the office" stories and not terribly helpful to a beginner. Overall, I think this book is trying to be everything to everybody so although many, many topics are touched upon, nothing is covered in enough detail. Also note that most everything is British, from prices of equipment to supplier and studio resources. So, if you're curious about the world of stop motion but don't care about doing it, this would be a good book. If you want to actually do stop motion, you'll need something better than this.

5.0 out of 5 stars detailed manual, June 7, 2009

By	TBo (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This is a very thorough manual for doing stop motion animation...recommended for those who are serious about learning this skill.

0 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Continued education, January 6, 2009

By	MEL "Passing through" (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This book was bought as a gift, but the recipient was very pleased with it and excited to start using it.