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).