These stop motion movie tips were inspired by American Girl’s Z Yang. The Z Yang featured in this post was provided by American Girl.
Making Stop Motion videos can be lots of fun, especially if you have the right tools. American Girl’s Z Yang is an aspiring filmmaker and stop-motion enthusiast, so she was the perfect inspiration for these simple stop motion movie tips.
Create Your Stop Motion Studio
You can create a stop motion video anywhere you have a camera. A flat surface makes things easier, so tabletops and desks work better than carpet. You can create backdrops by printing out photos and hanging them on the wall behind where you’ll be shooting.
You’ll want to keep your camera in the same place while also keeping your hands free to move around whatever you’re shooting, so a tripod or similar setup is necessary. A gooseneck camera holder or flexible phone tripod is a great option to make it easier to position your camera exactly where you want it.
Use Stop Motion Apps
If you’re just getting started, using a stop motion app is the best way to go. Search on your phone and you’ll find a variety of options. My favorite is Stop Motion Studio. Apps make it easy to create your first movie since they create the animations for you. Depending on the app you choose and what packages you purchase, you can access a variety of editing options and enhancements for your movies.
Practice Simple Stop Motion Moves
When it comes to Stop Motion Videos, practice makes perfect. Try a few simple moves at first to get an idea of how much you can move your subjects between frames.
If you’re using figures or dolls, practice motions like moving their arms up and down. This is the best way to get an idea of how small your movements should be for the style of animation you want.
You can also use accessories like eyeglasses to practice movement.
Walking is another skill you can master in stop motion. In this example, you could actually hold Z Yang out of frame for balance while moving her feet.
Use Household Objects As Stop Motion Tools
Certain objects are just not going to do what you want them to do in a stop motion video without a little intervention. Things like glue dots, rubber bands and paper clips can be helpful when it comes to helping things hold their position between frames. Glue dots are especially useful when it comes to keeping things from rolling away as you shoot them. Here, a clear rubber band was able to hold Z Yang’s glasses in her hand.
Of course, out of any list of stop motion movie tips, the best tip of all is just to get started. With a little practice, you’ll be making your own stop motion movies in no time!
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