Set - Set Up For Stop Motion Animation - Part 1/3 | Stickybones Tutorial

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Preparing for Success in Animation: A Beginner's Guide​

Hi everyone! In this video series, we're going to cover three topics to help you prep for success before you begin animating. This video is about choosing your room and your set to animate on. The next will be on lighting, and the third will be on camera and software options. These tips are by no means the only options out there, but they will put you on the right track to get you started rapidly and efficiently as we cover a few different budgets and skill levels. So, let's get to it!

Choosing Your Room and Set for Animation​

Key Principles​

The main concept to remember for stop-motion animation is that you need complete control over your environment. This means you don't want anything changing or moving that is not under your control.

Flooring​

The best floor to animate on is a hard surface that won't move or settle over time, such as concrete or tile. If your only option is to animate on carpet, make sure you're animating on top of a heavy piece of furniture to reduce the chance of movement.

Securing Your Set​

Once you have the right floor, secure your stage to it. You can either hot glue it down directly or use gaffer's tape as a base and then hot glue your set onto that. If you're using the Performance Stage on top of your set, secure it to prevent it from sliding. Double-sided tape, like top stick tape used for toupees, works great for this purpose.

Comfort and Ergonomics​

Consider whether you'll be standing or sitting when choosing your shooting stage. Ensure there's enough space for your legs and the setup is comfortable for you to animate.

Example Setup​

For example, for our teaser shoot, we used a kitchen island solidly bolted to the floor in a rental space. We lent an MDF board to create the decor and taped a couple of Performance Stages onto it, and voila!

In our studio, we now have a more proper and versatile animation stage. It's designed to be super sturdy and allows for tie-downs if needed. We have access underneath, and the top can be unbolted and replaced if we drill too many holes or want to change it to a different material, like a metal sheet. The height of our stage is 43 inches, allowing me to rest my elbows comfortably while animating to avoid back pain and fatigue. The top is 3 feet by 3 feet, with plenty of space to practice. If we want to build a bigger set, we can create another module like this one.

Simpler Options​

You can also make a simpler and cheaper version of this, especially if you don't need a removable top. As long as your stage is sturdy enough, you'll be good to go.

Conclusion​

Now you have a basic understanding of how to choose your room and set for animation. In the next video, we will look at lighting, so stay tuned. See you there!

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Lighting - Set Up For Stop Motion Animation Part 2/3 | Stickybones Tutorial​

Cameras & Software - Set Up For Stop Motion Animation Part 3/3 | Stickybones Tutorial​