Stop motion animation refers to an animation technique in which still images are banded together to show movements of characters in each frame.
It requires skill, time and patience to undertake a diligent process for creating each frame by taking hundreds of pictures and combining them to give away the impression that object is walking or moving when it is played back.
Stop motion filmmaking was prevalent during the silent film era. With the evolution of other techniques and forms through the years, it still enjoys the same regard in the mainstream film productions.
In this post, we are going to be looking at a number of breathtaking animation videos infused with stop motion technique.
Walkie Talkie Man – Steriogram
Walkie Talkie Man is a stop motion animated music video directed by Michel Gondry for Steriogram in 2004.
The music video features knitwork from children who create musical instruments for the band in the studio until everything gets overtaken by a never-ending yarn and chaos erupts.
Walkie Talkie Man was nominated for several music video awards including Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video in 2005.
Game Over – PES
Game Over is an animated short written and directed by PES in 2006.
The video short makes several references to classic arcade video games such as Pac Man, Space Invaders, Centipede, Asteroid and Froggers by showing different objects like pizza, candies, muffins and toy cars imitating exact movements like video game characters.
Game Over offers audience a trip down the memory lane. It is inspired by the interview of Toru Iwatani, the creator of Pac Man, in which he describes the origins of the game.
T-Shirt War 2!! – Rhett & Link
T-Shirt War 2!! is a made-for-TV commercial created by Rhett & Link for McDonald’s and Coke in 2010.
The commercial features famous YouTubers Rhett & Link who have a t-shirt war to showcase dollar products that McDonald’s and Coca Cola offer at McDonald’s chain.
The concept for this commercial was based on a video that Rhett & Link posted on YouTube titled “T-Shirt War!!”
Rhett & Link wore and changed 222 t-shirts between themselves in 2 days with over 8 hours of work every day.
Read more: 10 Best Interactive Videos You Don’t Want to Miss
Fresh Guacamole – PES
Fresh Guacamole is an animated short also written and directed by PES in 2012.
The short starts off with the director picking up a grenade and cutting it into two halves which turns out to be an avocado.
The director, then, picks up different objects that turn into different ingredients when cut. The process alludes to several puns, expressions and clever references. Lastly, the director reveals to have whipped up a fresh guacamole that is served with poker chips as edible chips.
Fresh Guacamole used pixilation technique. It is the shortest film to ever be nominated for the Academy Award.
If I was God – Cordell Baker
If I was God is an animated short film directed by two-time Oscar-nominated Cordell Baker in 2015.
The short film exhibits a 7th grade boy whose mind starts to wander around the idea of possessing God-like powers while dissecting a frog, and if he could impress his crush and stand up to his bullies.
If I was God was based around Cordell Baker’s own memories from his school days. The short contain multiple animation techniques including traditional and stop motion.
Shiny – Daniel “Cloud” Campos and Spencer Susser
Shiny is written and directed by Daniel “Cloud” Campos and Spencer Susser of Blue-Tongue Films in 2016.
The action-comedy animated short features a well-dressed man with swagger who tries to rescue a damsel in distress from a couple of street muggers.
Shiny premiered at a number of renowned film festivals including Tribeca and Sundance in 2016.
Also read: 10 Best Advertising Campaigns to Come Out of Quarantine
Second to None – Vincent Gallagher
Second to None is an Irish animated short created by Vincent Gallagher in 2016.
The short sheds a light on sibling rivalry through two twin brothers Frederick and Herman Butterfield. It shows how Frederick would go to any lengths to find a chance to beat his brother, Herman to be the number one.
Second to None takes a dark comedy twist on the story. It won several awards in numerous film festivals including Austin and Dublin in 2017.
A Love Story – Anushka Naanayakkara
A Love Story is an animated short directed by award winning filmmaker Anushka Naanayakkara in 2016.
The short film explores the concept of love and loyalty. Two creatures piece together a colorful world together but the real test comes along when they have to stay together and fight for each other against darkness.
A Love Story won many awards including BAFTA for Animation Short in 2017.
Negative Space – Tiny Inventions
Negative Space is a French animated short film created by Max Porter and Ru Kuwuhata of Tiny Inventions in 2017.
The short film depicts a relationship and bonding between a father and a son through the art of packing a suitcase.
Negative Space takes an emotional route to gain viewers’ attention based on Ru Kuwuhata’s relationship with her father. It was also nominated for the Academy Awards in 2018.
Tokri (The Basket) – Suresh Eriyat
Tokri (The Basket) is an animated short film created by award winning animator Suresh Eriyat of Studio Eeksaurus in 2017.
The film depicts a delicate relationship of a father and a daughter belonging to a poor family in the unkind and busy streets of Mumbai.
After unknowingly breaking her father’s most cherished watch, the young girl decides to sell baskets on the streets in order to earn money to get it fixed.
The inspiration for Tokri (The Basket) originated from a guilt-ridden actual incident of Suresh Eriyat’s life where he shooed away a girl selling baskets on the streets of Mumbai.
Final thoughts
Stop motion animation weaves a magical world for the audience. It breeds innovation and creativity by producing engaging and unique content.
It requires lengthy and strenuous amount of work put into it, but you will love the results at the end.
