To make great animation, you need to know how to control a whole world: how to make a character, how to make that character live and be happy or sad. You need to create four walls around them, a landscape, the sun and moon - a whole life for them. You have to get inside that puppet and first make it live, then make it perform.

Susannah Shaw provides the first truly practical introduction to the craft skills of model animation. This is a vital book in the development of model animation which, following the success of Aardman's first full-length film, Chicken Run, is now at the forefront of modern animation.

Illustrated in full colour throughout you are shown step by step how to create successful model animation. Starting with some basic exercises, you will learn about developing a story, making models, creating set and props, the mechanics of movement, filming, postproduction and how to set about finding that elusive first job in a modern studio.

Susannah Shaw is Programme Development Manager for the Animated Exeter festival. She was head of the Bristol Animation Course from 1996 to 2000 at the University of the West of England and former camera assistant at Aardman (working on 'A Close Shave' among other films).

Reviews

"…a mine of information. This book gives an unrivalled detailed technical overview of the subject."--The Times Higher Education Supplement

"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, Aardman Animations

Contents

introduction--playing God; getting equipped; getting animated; keep it simple--developing your story; coat hangers for armatures; model makers--the professionals; four walls and a sky--sets and props; sound advice; the mechanics of movement; the performance; filmt-production; getting the job--the business of animation