Stop-Motion Animation

Today, stop-motion animations are as not as common as they were, due to other forms of animation such as, computer generated animation becoming more popular technique to create animations. However, with its particular realistic effects stop-motion is not due to be completely replaced anytime soon .

 Shaun the Sheep 

Made by Aardman. This stop-motion animation is a spin off from well known animation 'Wallace and Gromit'.

So, why use Stop-Motion Animation?

Stop-Motion animation is technique used whilst making animations, to make an object to appear to be moving when actually it's not. The process involves moving the object slightly and capturing them in frames, when the frames are played in sequence it gives the illusion of motion.

Characteristics:

• Due to its uniqueness, a stop-motion animation can give a realistic effect to its story.
• For the animation to work effectively, it encourages a great amount of teamwork, resources and equipment.

Advantages: 

• Can animate inanimate objects
• Encourages team work and communication
• Unique and different - gains viewers attention

Disadvantages:                  

• Time consuming
• Requires a great amount of patience on the creators behalf
• Difficult to get the correct speed to give the animation a fluid movement
• Difficult to get an consistent quality throughout the image
• Requires a lot of equipment and resources

Stop motion animations can be expensive to make. Not only do material  and resources takes money, but then the studio time and employees hired will cost.

References
http://www.aardman.com/