Structure/chapters/sections Abstract I will write this section when I have written the rest of the Acknowledgements dissertation. This section will express my thanks to people that This section will be between 100-200 words. have helped me throughout the possess of making my dissertation. Introduction This section will be between 100-200 words. This section will tell the reader what to expect when reading my dissertation. It will discribe why it has been important to me as a designer and what has motivated Contents my subject choice. Abstract 5% This digital design dissertation will explore the question Introduction 10% of ‘What is the future for stop motion animation?’ My aim is to determine whether traditional stop motion History 10% will be replaced by digital stop motion and will digital Case study of Adam Elliot’s stop motion go on to be replaced by other forms of digitally enhanced techniques such as CGI (Computer ‘Cousin’ 10% Generated Images).

Case study of ‘Monsters Inc’ I have chosen the subject of stop motion as my 10% research basis because I have always been keen to learn about animation, so where better to start than one Don’t judge an animation by it’s of the earliest forms. In my first year at university my interest grew even more when I was able to complete technique! 30% a stop motion animation project. When completing So has this ship sailed? 10% this project my admiration of animation increased as I looked at animation companies such as Aardman Conclusion 8% Animation, who are the creators of characters such as, Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit. I Bibliography 2% enjoyed every minute of creating my animation from story boarding to the sound editing. I was able to use specialist animation equipment such as the rostrum camera. film case studies from the previous sections as an As a designer doing this research will help me see the example when needed). Using information gathered future of animation in general and I’ll be able to find by questionnaires I will discuss how people see stop out if there is still a place for stop motion. I also want motion on a whole. Do they enjoy it? Do they even to find out what other people feel about stop motion know what it is? The result of these questions will help or if indeed they know what it is. I would also like back up whether new technologies have taken over. I to explore different areas that stop motion could be will go on to express why traditional stop motion is so exposed to such as music videos and feature films. magical and makes people happy when they watch it, and on the other hand why as an animator it is also so To start the investigation I will look into the history of magical to create. animation to give a brief introduction into the subject. This will help to show how the technology has moved Following my main investigation I will piece together all on since the animation phenomenon started. my research to try and answer the main question ‘Is there a future for stop motion animation?’ I then want to write a case study on some animations that are well known by animation lovers. Starting with I will then go on to describe how my views have Adam Elliot’s ‘Cousin’ made using clay with the stop changed since I first started my research or if indeed motion technique. Followed by ‘Monsters Inc’ which they have at all. used CGI technologies. History Using the case studies as examples when needed In this chapter I will give the reader a short brief I will then get to the heart of my dissertation. I will history of stop motion animation and included some present the reader with the research I have found important dates that have brought the technique to to determine whether there is a future for traditional where it stands today. I will also give some key facts stop motion. I will give examples of the newer that the reader may be interested in, or may start technologies that are being used and question to question. Such as why do we use 24 frames per why they seem to be towering over traditional stop second? motion, using the research I have gathered to back me up. I will also discuss the differences between Maureen Furniss discusses the technique of stop old and new techniques in relation to the production motion in the book called ‘Animation Bible’, by saying of the film (time, difficulty, software etc), the mood the technique is achieved by manipulating objects that can be achieved, the reality of the characters in front of the camera, frame by frame. [Furniss:A. and the relationship with the viewer (I will use the 2008:232] Paul Wells talks about some of the early involvements She then described how 3D stop motion has in animations including some of the equipment used become quite recognisable in comparison to 2D as and how animation was found by accident when it is responsible for animations such as Morph and experiments were under going for the cinematic Wallace and Gromit, which have both become rather moving image. He tells us how since 1798 people famous. Both of these animations use clay to create have been creating equipment that can project moving their characters and surroundings. Other 3D stop drawn images. In that year Etienne Robertson created motion animations can include using LEGO bricks, the Phantasmagoria, known as the sophisticated this technique is called Brickfilm. The animator uses ‘magic lantern’. After this many people created their the toy bricks to create a magical world. In 1989 an own versions of this piece of equipment. [Wells. Australian animator called Lindsay Fleay created an 2004:88] animation made from LEGO bricks titled ‘The Magic Portal’. The sixteen minute film took four and a half Furniss (2004) also spoke about the different types years to complete. [Furniss:A 2008:243,244] of animation in the book ‘Animation Bible’, which included 2D, 3D and digital stop motion. In the next The most recognised piece of equipment used to two paragraphs I will summarise some of what I create 2D stop motion is the rostrum camera. The have read from Furniss’s book. However for more camera is pointed downward, parallel to a board information I strongly recommend their book. (which is the stage for the animation). Then each frame is shot while the objects are manipulated under Furniss (2004) explained how 2D stop motion the camera. The same principle applies when creating animation has many different forms and each 3D stop motion however the camera is position to the technique that can be used is very unique. They side of the object as to show the depth of the scene. can be made from sand or salt, pins which create [Goldner. 2008] shadows, cut out bits of paper and many more. In 1995 a polish animator called Aleksandra Korejwo Digital stop motion has allowed the feel of stop motion used coloured salt to create an animation titled techniques to be completed with less effort and time. Carmen Habanera. Using gouache watercolours It still looks like it has been created by hand, but does to change the colour of the sand she allowed it to knowing it hasn’t been hand crafted decrease the dry in the sand before applying it to a black canvas sense of magic? and manipulating it with feathers from a local zoo. Kit Laybourne talks about how digital animation has She used pre drawn pastel images to guide her into exactly the same process as the more traditional creating each frame. [Furniss:A. 2008:232,236] way but the tools are different, and how easier these tools make the entire procedure easier. [Laybourne. below the perceptual threshold (as with film’s 24 1998:65] frames per second) they will be read continuous.’ [Wyver. 1989:10,11] So why do we so commonly use 24 frames per second when creating animation? Using 24 frames per second is also known as, ‘full animation’. Where by each frame is different and is John Wyver discusses in quite scientific terms the normally only used once, due to its accuracy. This is reason for having 24 frames per second. He states discussed by Furniss in her book titled ‘Art in Motion that the reason is purely so that our brains read the Animation Aesthetics’. She goes on to explore ‘limited image’s continuously. He said: animation’ in comparison. Limited animation is different as it uses less frames and tends to involved ‘Ever since Newton, scientists had recognized a lot of camera adjustments to make up for the loss the common effects registered by the eye which of continuing movement in the animation. Furniss has been staring at a light and then looks away. explains that ‘Panning over artwork creates a sense The retina retains a bright after-image, which of motion while reducing the number of drawings quickly fades. Usually known as ‘persistence of needed.’ This would result in less production time. vision’, this effect has been used by numerous [Furniss:B. 2007:133,134] historians to explain how the eye and brain connect the string of static images projected as a Furniss (2007) suggests to compare two different film, and mentally create the impression of smooth animations to help explain the differences. Her movement. In fact, this process needs a more suggestions where ‘Mickey Mouse Clock Cleaners’ complex explanation. First, it has been recognized (1937) and ‘The Birth of Astro Boy’ (1963). that observation is not instantaneous, and that the eye has to pass sensations to the brain which After watching these two animations you can see only then interpret them. Consequently there is the differences. I feel as though I am missing the a threshold below which repeated stimuli cannot bits in between the frames in the limited animation; be perceived as separate. And as stimuli come in, however I still understood the story. It seems as one which follows rapidly on another can mask though everything is moving a lot faster in the limited the former, allowing the brain to compensate for animation, it feels busy. Furniss (2007) quotes Jules likely changes. This information about changes is Engles who clearly disagrees with my statement, understood automatically, and in an area of the she said that there is ‘no such thing as limited brain separate from the primary acts of perception. animation, only limited talent… Each style of So as long as images are exposed at a speed graphic and each kind of gesture has its own requirements for motion’. [Furniss:B. 2007:136] But ‘Cousin’ is a relative of Elliot who has Cerebral Palsy. the fact is both of the animations have a narrative and The story takes you through some of the fun times entertain the viewer. that they shared together, like when they dressed up as super heroes. The film takes a sudden horrific turn, Case Study of Adam Elliot’s ‘Cousin’ when Cousin’s parents are killed in a car accident In this section I will discuss a traditionally made stop and he is forced to move away to a care home. Elliot motion film called ‘Cousin’ by Adam Elliot. This section explains through the narration; how they tried to stay will give a short introduction to the animator, express in contact over the phone however this soon faded what the film is about (the narrative) and explore the and they didn’t speak anymore. The story ends when quality of the film in relation to the techniques used, Elliot is older, and while shopping he thinks he sees the visual quality and the sound (do the characters Cousin working in a super market, unfortunately, for have voices, or just a noise?). I also will discuss the some reason, he didn’t go and speak to him. effect the film may have on the viewer. Viewers would be able to connect to this story as it’s Adam Elliot is an independent Australian animator, who so true to life. The descriptions of the characters from before becoming an award winning animator wanted the narrator, (William McInnes) build a bond with the to be a veterinarian. [Melodrama Pictures:B. 2010] viewer, and you feel as though you know them. The He was born on 2nd January 1972 [Melodrama use of humor in relation to the tragic events helps to Pictures:C. 2007] and has always suffered with a prevent a terribly sad affect on the viewer, however physiological tremor. Now he is the official patron of because you automatically care about the characters, ‘The Other Film Festival’. All of the films that take part you are forced to feel some sorrow. In a biography in this festival are written and created and are about by Melodrama Pictures, they say that, ‘Adam’s films people with disabilities. [Melodrama Pictures:B. 2010] have connected with audiences through focusing on loneliness and difference with compassion, Elliot’s series of films, including ‘Cousin’ made in humor and pathos.’ [Melodrama Picture:A. 2007] 1998, are about people that he knows, and are about real life. In the five minute animation of ‘Cousin’ The characters in the film are made from clay and Elliot touches on subjects that some people may are manipulated by hand, frame by frame. None find taboo and things we shouldn’t talk about, but of them speak so the understanding of the story is these situations happen and it’s important that bad is solely relying on the characters expressions and the represented in life animation as well as good. narration from William Mclnnes (who has been the ‘voice’ for this series of films). Iain Scott reviewed this film and explained how created television advertisements. Pixar constructed the colours used in the animation are mostly greys some of the most sophisticated software in the CGI and blacks with an occasional show of muted world, for example CAPS and RenderMan. Pixar colour. He goes on to explain that this use of colour were responsible for creating the first fully computer ‘perfectly matches the sad tales and the beautiful animated major feature film in 1995 titled ‘Toy Story’. melancholia of William McInnes's outstanding They have gone on to create many more computer narration’. [Scott. 2008] generated animations including ‘Monsters Inc’ (2001). [Weisher. 2004:112] The film overall is really good quality and easy to watch and I believe that it doesn’t suffer due to the Monsters Inc is based on a world full of monsters technique used. I believe that if it was done using that have been tricked into believing that children are CGI for example it wouldn’t hold the same degree of dangerous and that scaring them generates electricity humor and the magic would be lost. I’m not sure that by using their screams. The scream business is huge this animation would be suitable for children because in this make believe world, and the story follows the of the subject and the humor may not be suitable for main character Sullivan (Sully) and his one eyed side a younger age. kick, Mick as they accidently let a child into their town. When realising that the child, know as Boo, is Case Study of Pixar’s ‘Monsters Inc’ not dangerous they soon fall in love with her and end In this section I will discuss an animation created up revealing that children are not dangerous and that using CGI technologies. This section will give a short laughter generates more electricity than screaming. introduction to the animation studio who created the film, express what the film is about (the narrative) This film is made only by using CGI technologies. and explore the quality of the film in relation to the This means that each of the characters look realistic techniques used, the visual quality and the sound (do and are very detailed. You can see each hair on the the characters have voices, or just a noise?). I also will characters and you can notice things like the light discuss the effect the film may have on the viewer. reflecting in the characters eyes. Pixar said on their website, that ‘There are 2,320,413 computer Peter Weisher talks about the history and successes animated hairs on Sullivan, and Pixar’s technical of Pixar in his book titled ‘Moving Pixels: blockbuster team will tell you that animating all that hair and animation, digital art and 3D modeling today’. He making it look real was no easy task’ . [Pixar. states that Pixar animation studio first started in 2010] The narration of the story is told through the 1986 and at the beginning of their career they characters voices so there is no narrator needed.

The colours that have been used in Monsters Inc, with me, twisting and bending me into shape. He are incredibly bright so therefore giving an automatic made me funny, he made me feel special. I liked happy feeling to the viewer. being Morph. Now I’m alone in my plastic box, in I think that as the primary target audience of the Peter’s bottom draw. He put me here one day and film are children and that the film merely gives out a eventually he stopped getting me out. Every now and message to say, don’t be scared of monsters, they then the broken draw gets jarred open; this allows me are your friend. A lot of children are scared about to see what is going on. Peter is always at his desk on monsters being under their bed or in their wardrobe his computer these days. It’s funny because the things so this film turns the child’s thinking around by making I see on the screen are me, well Morph, but I don’t them unafraid of monsters and actually want them remember acting in them scenes. It’s lonely in this to be in there room because they are fun. IMDb say draw. I wish I knew what I did wrong. on their review of the film that‘Since the very first bedtime, all around the world, children have known It’s not Pinks fault that he is being forgotten. So who is that once their mothers and fathers tuck them in, to blame, the viewers or the animators? and shut off the light, that there are MONSTERS hiding in their closets, waiting to emerge! What This section will be the main part of my investigation. they don’t know is: it’s nothing personal. It’s just Here I will present the reader with the research I have their job’. [IMDb. 2010] found to determine whether ‘There is a future for stop motion animation’. I will give examples of the newer technologies that are being used and question Don’t judge an animation by it’s why they seem to be towering over traditional stop technique! motion, using the research I have gathered to back me up. I will also discuss the differences between old A sad story for guilty animators. and new techniques in relation to the production of the film (time, difficulty, software etc), the mood that My name is Pink, I am a little piece of plasticine, and I can be achieved, the reality of the characters and the am an actor. I used to have a really good job playing relationship with the viewer (I will use the film reviews as Morph. I turned up to work in a little plastic box, from the previous chapters as an example when with fragile written on it and a little hole in the top so needed). Using information gathered by questionnaires that I could breath. I got pulled, stretched, squashed I will discuss how people see stop motion on a whole. and poked. I loved being made into something new. Do they enjoy it? Do they even know what it is? The Peter Lord, my boss, used to spend the whole day result of these questions will help back up weather new technologies have taken over. I will go on to express why tradition stop motion is so magical and dominant approach in TV and feature work. It has makes people happy when they watch it, and on the prompted a necessary shift in the definition of other hand why as an animator it is also so magical to animation as a model of film-making made frame by create. frame, or by more synaesthetic means, to incorporate the idea of conscious manipulation of pro-filmically QUOTES TO CONSIDER constructed synthetic forms in a digital environment. ‘Though digital technology now produces two-and While there is still a fundamental relationship to three-dimensional virtual images that can hardly be traditional animation skills and techniques, the software differentiated from material reality and has greatly for computer-generated work has changed the nature expanded the realm of visual effects, there has of the approach.’ [Wells. 2004] been continued-actually, expanded-interest in the production of stop motion animation. Animators still This section will be between 3000-4000 words. love to work with objects by hand, and audiences still love to see the results. Approaches to stop motion So has this ship sailed? are almost limitless, encompassing both 2D and 3D This chapter will piece together all the research I have media.’ [Furniss. 2008] gathered to give the reader an answer to the question, ‘Is there a future for stop motion animation?’ ‘it is important to emphasize that the quality of the This section will be between 300-500 words. sequence is more important than the quality if the images. It is possible to make a bad film with beautiful drawings or models – the art of animated film is in the Conclusion action.’ [Taylor. 1996] In this section I will reflect on my research and express whether my opinion has changed from the start of my Norman McLarern said: investigation. ‘How it moves is more important than what moves. This section will be between 300-500 words. Though what moves is important, in relative order importance, it’s how it moves that’s the important Bibliography thing…That the animator does on each frame of This section will hold all of the references I film is not as important as what he or she does in have mentioned in my dissertation, with a brief between.’ [Taylor. 1996] annotation of what I used the information for and what the information was about. ‘Computer-generated animation has changed the nature of animation as a form and become the Books Not used yet Furniss, M:A (2008). Animation Bible. I have also used a quote from this book (page London: Laurence King. 125) that talks about how digital technology This book takes the reader through each of has taken over in TV and feature work. the different techniques that can be used to Laybourne. K (1998). create stop motion animation (2D and 3D) and digital animation. The book also gives The animation book : a complete some good examples of each technique that guide to animated filmmaking : from when you watch on the internet helps give a flip-books to sound cartoons to 3-D better impression on each technique. animation. New York: Three Rivers Not used yet Press. I have also used a quote from this book The section of this book that I found helpful on page 232 that describes how digital describes the techniques of cut out animation technology has made 2D and 3D animation and computer techniques. It tells how cutout more real. animation is made and about the rostrum camera. It then talks about how computer techniques makes stop motion easier to work Wells, P (2004). The Fundamental of with and makes the process quicker, it also Animation. Crans-près-Céligny: AVA gives a brief statement about the software that Publishing SA. is needed. This book talks about the history of the main types of animations which include stop motion Wyver, J (1989). The Moving Image An and digital techniques. This book was useful International History of Film, Television to gather some of the key facts that I needed and Video. Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd. for the history part of my dissertation such as I only used a paragraph of this book but the when some of the first pieces of equipment information I got from it was about how the were invented. eye receives images and why we use 24 frames per second. Furniss, M:B (2007). Art in Motion is about how the parts between each from is Animation Aesthetics. Malaysia: John more important than the actual frame. This Libbey & Company Limited. quote although taken from ‘Encyclopedia of This book really helped me to get an animation techniques’ was said by Norman understanding of what limited stop motion McLeren in his book called ‘On the Creative animation is, and the differences between Process’. that and full animation. It also gave examples of animations to compare so that I could Websites understand fully what the differences are. Goldner, J. (2008). The Rostrum Camera. Available: http://www. Weisher, P (2004). Moving Pixels: animationpost.co.uk/doping/4- blockbuster animation, digital art and rostrum.htm. Last accessed 10th Sept 3D modeling today. London: Thames & 2010 Hudson. This website helped me to understand the use This is one of my favorite books. It helped of a rostrum camera. me by providing me with information about different animation studios, practically Pixar as Melodrama Pictures:A. (2007). Adam I have included some information about them Elliot Brief Biography. Available: http:// in my work. www.neilstoolbox.com/bibliography- creator/reference-website.htm. Last Not used yet accessed 20th Oct 2010. Taylor, R. (1996). Encyclopedia of This website gave me a quote to express the animation techniques. Oxford: Focal effect Adam Elliot’s films have on the viewer. Press. I got two quotes from the ‘Introduction’ (page 7) of this book. The first quote explains that Melodrama Pictures:B. (2010). the quality of the story is more relevant than About Adam. Available: http://www. the quality of the execution. The second quote adamelliot.com.au/About_Us.html. Last accessed 20st Oct 2010. Scott, I. (2008). Adam Elliot’s Family This website helped me gain information on Trilogy (1996-1999). Available: the history of Adam Elliot. http://ezinearticles.com/?Adam- Elliots-Family-Trilogy-(1996- Melodrama Pictures:C. (2007). Adam 1999)&id=1331880. Last accessed Elliot Expanded Biography. Available: 28th Oct 2010. http://www.harviekrumpet.com/ This website has a review of all the Adam Elliot aboutadam2007.pdf. Last accessed films, and I used a quote about the colours 20th Oct 2010. that were used in ‘Cousin’. This website gave me key information about when Adam was born.

Pixar. (2010). Behind the scenes. Available: http://www.pixar.com/ featurefilms/inc/behind.html. Last accessed 26th Oct 2010. This website gave me some information about how the films are made and I took a quote from it describing the amount of hairs there is one of the characters, and how difficult it is to animated each one. How I may make my dissertation come to life. IMDb. (2010). Taglines for Monsters I would like to create a physical book that I want to hand Inc. Available: http://www.imdb.com/ make. I am looking around to find inspiration of how I may title/tt0198781/taglines. Last accessed bind the book together. However if I find it possible I would 26th Oct 2010. also like to create a short DVD film that represents my This website helped me to back up my dissertation. I need to try and find a way of incorporating opinion about the effect Monsters Inc has on sections of the movies that I have spoken about. children.