Clay animation is a good way to start.It can take a long time, so be patient.You'll need a computer, the right kind of clay, and figures and sets for your scenes.You have to plan your story down to the smallest detail.You can use storyboard and shot cards to plan.You will need to set up your camera and take your photos once the planning is done.You will be ready to edit your film when you take all of the photos you need.
Step 1: Movie software can be used to edit your film.
You can use any camera to film clay animation, but you need the right software to put all of the individual shots together.Mac and PC users will have iMovie and Quicktime on their computer.You can also get software like Picasa.It might take some experimentation to see which is better.
Step 2: If you want to combine colors, use Plastilina clay.
The same type of clay that was used in the first clay animation videos is made by Van Aken.If you put it over a double boiler, it will melt down quickly.Most hobby, craft, and toy stores have it.A double boiler can be set up by filling a saucepot with water.Put that pot on the stove.Place another pot on top of the first one to make sure it fits.Turn the burner on when you put the clay in the top pot.The water in the lower pot will make your clay moldable.
Step 3: If you want your figures to stay their shape, use polymer clay.
The plastic in the clay makes it more durable.If you want your figures to hold their shape longer, you should use a clay like Sculpey.
Step 4: You should build your figures.
It is time to build your figures once you have decided which clay to use.Make sure you build the figures you need.All of your characters, accessories, and sets can be made from clay.It would be helpful to build a wireframe for each character.The core of the body can be shaped with wire.The wire should be used to form the basic shape of the object.Press clay onto the frame when you have a wire frame.Feet, hands, fingers, toes, and other details will have to be formed completely from clay.Stick to simple figures if you are just starting in clay animation.They will be easier to manipulate.Gumby is one of the most popular clay animations that uses super simple figures.
Step 5: Additional sets can be gathered or built.
If you don't build your sets from clay, you'll need to either build them or gather them.Legos are great for those sets.Depending on your story, you may need to create a background.Drawing on construction paper is a great way to create a background.If your story is about a dog and its owner in a park, you'll need trees, a pond, and some buildings in the background.Building blocks and construction paper can be used to build the trees and buildings.You can tape your background to the wall if you set up your scene near it.Before you start filming, make sure you have all of your sets built.It will shorten your production time.
Step 6: Make sure your story is not too long.
clay animation takes a long time because you have to film each movement.When you are planning your story, keep that in mind.It would take over 20,000 pictures to make a 30-minute movie.As you get more experience, you can start with a very short story.For every second of film, you will need about 12 shots or stops.The number of minutes you want in your film to determine how many shots you need to take.
Step 7: Your story needs to be simple.
The more complicated your story is, the more you'll need.A simple story that only includes a few characters and 1 or 2 major movements is the best way to go.Your story could be about a boy talking to his dog.You need a background and clay figures for that.
Step 8: Dialogue can be added during editing.
It can take a lot of time and energy to make clay animation look like it's talking.When you're editing your animation, add dialogue.As you go, you can add conversation bubbles to your film.If you're making a film about a boy walking a dog, at some point the dog will chase a bird.A conversation bubble is next to the boy."Fido!" is something you can write.Stop chasing the birds!Adding dialogue bubbles will require you to add them to several frames.They will not appear in the animation long enough for your viewer to read them.
Step 9: A storyboard can be created or printed out.
You have to take a separate shot of each movement in clay animation.You have to plan your story carefully because of that.There are websites where you can find free storyboards.storyboards can be ordered from craft and hobby stores.
Step 10: You can map each movement.
There should be separate shot cards for each movement.Each card should have a drawing of the scene, frame number, any notes you need, and the shot number.You might need to add or take cards as you plot your story.Make sure you adjust your numbering.The differences between shot cards will be very small.It is not possible to have your main character in one place and move as if he walked a step in the next.You have to get a shot of his knee starting to bend, then another knee bending a bit more, and another foot lifting off the ground.
Step 11: Put your camera on a tripod.
It is important that your camera stays in the same position because of the small differences between each shot.To make sure your camera does, put it on a tripod.To make sure the tripod is at the right height and angle, you might want to take a few test shots.You can use any camera for clay animation.Larger cameras like DSLRs will give you the most editing options, but you can still make great clay animations with entry-level point-and-shoot digital cameras.If you back up your photos to an external hard drive or cloud drive, you can use your phone's camera.You will not have enough storage space if you don't.Depending on what you want to emphasize in each scene, you will occasionally need to move your camera.When you need to move the camera, make sure you note on your storyboard where you should move it.
Step 12: Your first scene should be set.
Place your figures according to your first shot card after setting up the first set.Once you get into setting up the scene, you might want to change a few things.You should make changes to other shot cards as necessary.The entire story should be set up in your first scene.If you're filming a story about a boy taking his dog for a walk, you might want to set up the first scene outside of the boy's house.He should have a leash with him on the walk.
Step 13: Take your first shot.
You are ready to take your first shot once everything is set up.The camera has a shutter.Make sure everything looks the way you want it, including the lighting, figures, and set, by checking the image.The entire scene should be well-lit, but it should also mimic the scene you're creating.Pick a spot where the sun might be in the sky and illuminate it with a light.It will create shadows.
Step 14: The next movement must be set.
You can use your next shot card.It will be a small change from your first shot to your second.Take another picture with your camera when the next movement is set.Continue to look at the photographs.The next shot should begin the process of the boy putting the leash on the dog, if your story is about a boy walking his dog and the first shot is of him outside.When setting shots, keep the background in mind.If you have other animals in the background, make sure you move them as well.
Step 15: Continue as necessary.
Take all of the shots you need to complete your film after following your storyboard.You may not be able to film the whole story in one day.Make sure you have a place where your scene and figures won't be disturbed.
Step 16: Take photos and put them into movie editing software.
Load your photographs into the movie editing software you will use.You can either plug the camera into your computer or the card into the computer.The software you are using should prompt you to import the camera or card.You can choose if you want to import or yes.
Step 17: Your film should be edited.
You can begin to edit your film once your photographs have been imported.The easiest way to modify them together is to import them into a slideshow and set the slide duration to the lowest possible setting.There are other options for editing your photos.You have to play with the software to see which you like best.