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| Home Introduction What is Claymation? History of Claymation Preparations - Groups & Ideas - Storyboarding - Tips - How we did it! Claymations from 2003
Claymations from 2002
18 June, 2003
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Clay Animation isn't really a new technique at all. Who doesn't remember Gumby and Pokey? Technically, clay animation began a short time after the invention of a clay-like substance called plasticine. Plasticine was invented in 1897, and one of the first actual films to use clay was in 1902 using clay for lightning sculpting. This was one of the first steps for clay animation, but it took six more years to make a film that used clay animated sculptures. This happened in 1908 when A Sculptor's Welsh Rarebit Nightmare was released in February. From that time period, many men and women did obscure work with clay animation. It just wasn't a very popular technique then. For almost 70 years, it remained that way. It wasn't until the mid to late '80's that this wonderful technique began to turn into the large-scale phenomenon that it is today. Perhaps one of the best and memorable things that happened in clay animation was Art Pokey's creation of Gumby. He was one of the first superstars to be made out of clay. Even now, people still can't seem to get enough of him. He is a true legend that just keeps reincarnating. He really makes up a large part of clay animation's history.Now that there is so much technology available, clay animation has really been made much simpler to do and accomplish than it was in it's humble beginnings. CLAY KINGS: WILL VINTON STUDIOS When Will Vinton began clay animating, we doubt he knew how he would end up. He first began making independent films at Berkeley in 1966. He is a big part of clay animation's history, considering some of the things he and his studio have accomplished. From Closed Mondays, one of this very first film collaborations that also won him an Oscar in 1974, to the recent The Adventures of Mark Twain, this man has done it all. You may know him and his studio best by what might be their most popular creations: those hard-partying California Raisins. In 1987, Will Vinton made a documentary explaining the process of clay animation. It was titled Claymation, and it became Vinton Studio's registered trademark. He definitely pioneered many of the techniques used by clay animators today and this was the first film ever made explaining the process of clay animation. According to the man himself, "any school kid can do it and have wonderful results." Well . . . almost. You see, to obtain that raisin-quality status, the animators at the studio may reshape a character up to 1,440 times in only one minute. That's right, math fans. Each second of film consists of 24 different frames of film. Three seconds of animation for most is considered a 'good day.' Even though Vinton has received numerous international awards ("we stopped counting around 350") and critical acclaim, not until recently have any of his rewards been monetary. It may have taken a long time for his work to pay off (literally) but the world of clay animation is in tremendous debt to him. His work has done unbelievably good things for clay animation. Will Vinton currently continues to live in Portland, Oregon (his design studio is located there) with his wife and their three children. Current Clay: Wallace and Gromit Wallace: a crackpot, cheese-nibbling inventor. Gromit: trusted friend of Wallace (a dog who is a lot smarter than his owner). Together: Wallace and Gromit, the Oscar-winning (and many other awards) pair, was created by Nick Park. The dynamic duo of Wallace and Gromit has thrilled many with their exciting adventures. Whether traveling to the moon to load up on cheese or saving the crown jewels from an expert thief penguin, Wallace and Gromit always keep their audience wanting more. As a direct result of their popularity, Wallace and Gromit have become idols to the young &endash; as well as the young at heart. Nick Park, creator of these two adorable creatures, is world renown for his expertise in clay animation. He began clay animating at a very young age and has worked his way up slowly to his professional status. While working at Aardman Animations, his unique characters have appeared in three short films, "A Grand Day Out " (1992), "The Wrong Trousers" (1993), and "A Close Shave" (1995). Each of his Wallace & Gromit films has won him an Academy Award. Then there was Chicken Run. This movie delivers just about every bit of all-around entertainment anyone could ask for from a movie about chickens escaping from the farm. There's humor, both for the kids and for the adults. There's action and adventure, culminating with a big finale that is among this year's most thrilling. There's memorable characters (all of the chickens are funny and well-voiced), and subplots and all that other great story stuff critics complain about not seeing in big Hollywood movies. There's your answer though... this is a British movie with Hollywood money behind it. It doesn't hurt either that this is from an animation team that has shown over the long haul that they knew how to tell stories that combined adventure and humor equally. It all starts with some clay; what beautiful and emotive clay it is, too. This company is currently working on some other big productions that are due out soon. Tortoise Vs. Hare
Wallace & Gromit:
CLAY FESTIVALS: SPIKE & MIKE'S If you head off to the annual "Spike & Mike's Classical Festival of Animation" with visions of Bugs Bunny in mind, consider yourself warned: They don't make cartoons like they used to. In 1977, Craig "Spike" Decker and Mike Gribble, known as "Spike & Mike," founded Mellow Manor Productions, Inc. Although Mike Gribble passed away in August of 1994, Spike continues to produce shows with the highest artistic standards and rebellious attitude. "Spike & Mike's Classical Festival of Animation" plays in over 30 cities across the United States and Canada (they are doing 55 in the 1998 Festival), with the tour kicking off in Los Angeles. The festival works the same as any film festival. It gives people the chance to come and show their work to audiences for feedback . Many animators come with hopes of getting recognized by a major company. Spike and Mike's will show all types of animation, but many of the works people bring are clay animated films and shorts (very short and to the point films). Clay animated films are some of the most popular at the festival with the public audience. After visiting the festival, other types of animators may just have to bite their tongue for dismissing clay animations as strictly for amateurs. If you show your film at Spike and Mike's, you are definitely in the big leagues. Participating in this festival may mean that you are competing with some of the best in your field from all of the world. The Festival has been known to show films from Sweden, Germany, Belgium, France, England, Russia, Canada, and the United States. For example, Nick Park, creator of Wallace and Gromit, showed one of his latest films at the time, "A Close Shave," at the 1997 festival. Even if you haven't been distinguished as a professional quite yet, this festival hosts films even if you are an amateur. If your work is good, then you have a pretty good chance of being able to show your film(s). Even though this festival is good publicity for animation in general, you must be warned. Spike and Mike's usually host films and shows that aren't generally made for younger audiences. Most of the films are geared toward adult audiences due to the use of graphic content. Some of the films shown may contain violence or abusive language. Still, this festival is one of the best sources of promoting clay animation and extending its audience. "Mike & Spike's 1990 Festival of Animation" on the whole, however, is an utter delight and should more than please fans. It is not rated, but everything is in PG territory, including some animated violence and . Still, small children won't get most of the jokes. If you or anyone that you know is interested in this visiting and/or participating in this animation festival, please visit Spike & Mike's Official Website. If you would like to e-mail the company, they would be glad to hear from you Clay Clips: Commercials Maybe it's just us, but have you noticed the recent rise of clay animated commercials lately? Maybe it's just coincidence . . . companies do like to try new things. Or could there possibly be more to it? Now, some os uf may remember the Domino's Pizza Noid. He was one of the more popular clay characters featured in commercials. Since the early '90's, clay featured in commercials seemed to drop. Very suddenly, companies have started using clay animation to promote their products. This could be a sig that clay animation is once again on the rise to stardom. Sources:
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