Clay Animation

                        Clay Animation is one of many forms of stop motion animation. Stop motion (Frame by Frame) is an animation technique, in which physically manipulated objects are seen to move on its own. The object is moved by small distances between individually photographed frames, thus creating the illusion of movement when series of frames are played as a continuous sequence. Clay figures are often used for their ease to reposition and the technique is known as "Claymation" or "Clay Animation".

                        The term "Claymation" is registered by Will Vinton in 1978 to describe his clay animation films.Claymation is a portmanteau word ,to mean blend of two or more words.

        Making of a Clay figure:

         1). Wire skeleton,known as armature is made.

         2).Clay or anytoher malleable substance such as Plasticine is used for  sculpting the

             figure.       

         Making of Claymation:

          1).The Clay figure is arranged on the background set, the first frame is taken.

          2).The figure is moved slightly by hand and the next frame is shot.

          3).Another frame is taken by slightly moving the frame again.

          The cycle is repeated until desired motion sequence is obtained.

                        Great care should be taken to ensure the clay figure is not altered by accident, by sunlight smudges, dirt, hair or dust.

          Examples of Claymation:

             Creation (Will Vinton Studio, featuring Joan Gratz, 1980)

             Return to Oz (Will Vinton studio, 1988) (Knome King scenes)

             Chicken Run (Aardman Studio, Nick Park & crew, 2000)

             Taare Zameen Par (Dhimant Vyas,Aamir Khan Productions,2007)    

                        Claymation is best wanted technique next  to animation, in film making. Innovative minds can excel in this field with hard work and bit of luck.