Stop-motion animation is another name for frame-by-frame animation. By shooting one frame, manipulating the object, then shooting another frame, and so on, it is possible to make a physical object appear to move on its own. The 1933 film King Kong is a well-known example of frame-by-frame animation. The giant ape is animated in this style, giving the impression that he is moving on his own. Other types of animation, such as cel animation and object animation, are also classified as frame-by-frame.
Clay puppets are frequently used in frame-by-frame animation because their movements can be easily manipulated between frames with little risk of the puppet being damaged. It’s a newer form of animation, but it’s quickly becoming a popular stop-motion technique, especially for children’s programming. Claymation is a term used to describe this type of frame-by-frame animation.
Other types of frame-by-frame animation use solid objects rather than malleable ones to manipulate. A stop-motion film of a model car driving up the street, for example, can be made taking a shot of the car in one frame, moving it up the road a bit, and then taking another shot. This principle is similar to claymation, but because the object is not malleable, it cannot imitate human or animal expressions. Object animation is a type of animation that has been around for a long time.
Cel animation, a frame-by-frame animation technique in which scenes of a film or show are drawn hand on clear cels, is perhaps the oldest form of animation. When the cels are photographed a special camera, each hand-drawn cel differs slightly from the one before it to convey motion. When these images are captured on a reel, the final product displays each cel in rapid succession, simulating movement. When shooting, it’s critical to make sure each cel lines up precisely with the others, or else the final product will appear jittery or jumpy.
Stop-motion animation has largely been rendered obsolete since the advent of Computer Generated Imagery, or CGI. CGI is less time-consuming and labor-intensive than stop-motion animation, and motion can be manipulated in far more ways. Stop-motion animation, on the other hand, is still popular among critics and fans because the final product has a distinct look.