Writing an Introduction - Study Task 5

Stop-motion animation can be defined as capturing one frame at a time with objects being removed or added to the scene and is perhaps the earliest example of animation being used by film magician Georges Melies in his many renowned works in 1896. There are numerous different processes within stop-motion including claymation, papercut, puppetry and pixilation. Subsequently, all of these can be seen in modern animations that we consume today, even if we may not notice it. My profound interest for stop-motion and desire to have a career in this part of the creative industry has inspired me to write this essay addressing the reasons behind why someone would choose to use stop motion in the digital age. An important concept to investigate in the essay will be the influences of the digital age on stop-motion animation. Richard Watson in Future Minds, discusses the notion that ‘If we fully embrace a process that makes things happen too quickly, we are prevented from properly analysing or discussing things’ (Watson, 2010: Chapter 7). So, when thinking about the digital methods of animation dominating the industry as they are seen as more time efficient, are certain qualities lost within this? It seems that stop-motion has an apparent attraction to certain individuals and to investigate their intentions behind this will be another one of the intentions of this essay. This essay will attempt to explore how relevant stop-motion is in the digital age, and the reasons behind choosing it as an animation medium over things such as 3D. Primary research will be key within this essay as this investigation concentrates on personal motives and notions, and therefore interviews with practicing stop motion animators will be a key source. Studying the influences of Ray Harryhausen, a prominent stop-motion pioneer, famous stop motion studios such as Laika and Aardman along with early and contemporary examples of animation will also help to bring around a conclusion as to why someone would choose stop-motion in a world that is controlled by the digital.