Stop-Motion Armature Machining: A Construction Manual (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Stop-motion puppet animation is one of the most unusual and demanding art forms in the world. It uses a variety of skills, including design, sculpting, metal work, mold making and casting, taxidermy, filmmaking, storytelling and acting, and can be seen in the simplest commercial spots on television to more complex animated shorts and science fiction and fantasy feature films.

This work, with over 200 photographs and illustrations, demonstrates the construction of armatures for film industry stop-motion puppets and the technical aspects of how to machine metal into the desired shape. It describes in detail the milling machine and the metal lathe, the two main tools used in constructing the armature, other cutting tools, and how the anatomical makeup of the puppet determines the armature design.

The book then examines the six main types of joints used in armature construction: the sandwich plate ball-and-socket joint, the ball-and-socket collet joint, the step-block ball-and-socket joint, the swivel joint, the hinge joint, and the universal joint. Also described are the different types of metals used in armature construction.

About the Author

Tom Brierton teaches animation at Columbia College Chicago and is an independent filmmaker. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 111 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (March 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786412445
• ISBN-13: 978-0786412440
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #412,159 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Buy used, not new!, September 23, 2004

By	K. J. Brett (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First I'll state that as a shop manual the information contained within this book is great and indispenable. The author cleary describes the processes and tools needed to build stop motion armatures. What is disappointing is the quality of the book itself. I have a few books for which I have paid fifty dollars for (The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation, Ray Harryhausen: An Animated Life, Industrial Light and Magic: The Art of Special Effects) and I have never had buyers remorse. The same cannot be said here. The cover belies the interior quality. This book is approximately one quarter inch thick with poor quality paper stock which I can only describe as better than a childs coloring book. All of the photographs are black and white. Many are extremely grainy with contrast that is too high and resolution so poor that it is hard to see what is being described accurately (See figures 2-10, 3-4, 3-5, 3-10, 4-9, 4-10, 4-13 as examples). Not what I expected at this price point. The same information also applies to Stop-Motion Puppet Sculpting. I strongly suggest you either buy used or take what I have written into consideration before purchasing new. (Should be three stars not two)

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrfic Resource for Armature Machining, December 25, 2008

By	Stephen M. Jennings - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was very reticent in purchasing this book after reading all of the reviews. It is true that the pictures are not the highest resolution, are in black and white and the total number of pages is few. However that doesn't negate what a wonderful resource this book is. This is the first book I have seen that goes into such depth in how to machine armatures from aluminum and steel. Other books gloss over this process. This text is focused solely on that process which is exactly what I was looking for. If you are looking for text that covers the whole scope of stop motion animation, this is not that book. However, if you are looking for further insight into this specialized process, this book is a great investment.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential book for any stopmo animator or enthusiast!, August 28, 2003

By	"angrypuppet" (SF Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This one-of-a-kind text is a wonderful primer on machining your own armatures. It clearly details the various joints and explains their construction. I highly recommend this book for all stop-motion animators, even if you don't plan on building armatures yourself.