I'm about to embark on a very special side project. I've decided, after years of threats, to actually create a full stop motion animation. I've come up with a very short little story to tell. I don't want to go TOO big my first time out. This one is a simple scene involving the Spirit of the Forest walking about on a moonlit night and finding something he cherishes.
I've wanted to do stop motion animation since I was 11 years old. That was 1993 and I stumbled across 'Wallace and Gromit: The wrong Trousers' on PBS. That short film changed everything. I desperately wanted to start sculpting. I consider it to this day to be a perfect short film. Two years later, they would release 'A Close Shave'. I'd have another injection of inspiration and a second film to add to my 'perfect' list. Not only were the characters and storytelling amazing, the sets and the lighting were incredible in both of those. I strive to match that level of lighting in my work. If you go to my website (www.sculptwerks.com) and look at my sculptural illustrations, you'll see that aspiration in everything I do.
What I'd like to do is show you every step of the way in starting a stop motion film through this blog. I have little to no experience in this so you'll have the advantage of seeing me stumble and fall time and time again. I'll continue posting my other projects of course. I have a list of builds I have no intention of stopping. Besides, variety is the spice of life!
And of course, stop motion is anything but fast. So bear with me. This might take a few years!
The images above are the preliminary character sketches of the main character, The Spirit of the Forest. I'll probably name him or her properly later. Between the first set and the second set Maria was kind enough to do a sketch which, as you can see, completely guided me in a new and better direction. Sorry they aren't good quality scans. I didn't really think about posting these when I drew them!
