Getting Ready to Make Stop Motion

In the next step, you’ll make a stop motion video. Before you can do that, though, you’ll need to do a little prep work.

First, watch this video that explains how to actually make a stop motion video:

Now, you’ll need to set the technology up. To capture the images in your animation, download Stop Motion Studio to your tablet or smartphone (iOS, Android). You can view a tutorial video for the app here. Please note that you should use the app to take the pictures for your stop motion, not your phone’s camera app. Adding your own pictures that you take outside the app is a premium feature, which means that you’ll have to pay to upgrade the app. So, don’t take pictures using your phone’s camera app. Use Stop Motion Studio to take the pictures.

Next, brainstorm an idea for a quick animation. Check out the website for Animation Chefs. There are some great recipes for learning to create certain effects in stop motion. Try these recipes provided by your instructor’s subscription to the Animation Chefs website.

Finally, gather the materials you’ll need to make the video (Legos, paper, refrigerator magnets, and Play-doh are fun but really anything you want to use will work). A tripod or box to hold the phone steady will also help to make the final product look much better.

Clear out a space, check the lighting, and then move on to the next step to create the video!