Frame-By-Frame Stop Motion: The Guide to Non-Puppet Photographic Animation Techniques

by Tom Gasek

Overview

This third edition of Frame‑by‑Frame Stop Motion is an up‑to‑date review of non‑puppet stop motion techniques. The reader will not only learn how to execute these techniques through descriptive chapters but also experience them with the carefully designed exercises included at the end of this book. There are many other aspects of filmmaking including design, sound, cinematography, lighting, and animation principles that make this a thorough study in non‑puppet stop motion. The animation of people, objects (not designed to be animated), light painting, time‑lapse, and downshooting are popular approaches to animation practice around the globe. This edition includes insights from the author, an experienced stop motion puppet and non‑puppet animator, as well as filmmakers from Japan to Eastern Europe to Argentina and North America. There are many aspects to this edition that should appeal not only to animators but also to photographers, live‑action filmmakers and those interested in expanding their repertoire in the filmmaking arena. Included are examples of filmmaking critiques and a wide variety of applications of photographic animation. Frame‑by‑Frame Stop Motion is the only resource of its kind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040385340
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	08/05/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	294
File size:	45 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Tom Gasek is a Professor Emeritus at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he taught in the School of Film and Animation for 19 years. He worked as a professional director and animator for 26 years prior to teaching with animation credits that include Aardman Animations’ The Wrong Trousers and Chicken Run as well as Laika’s Coraline. He operated several small studios of his own including the award‑winning, Sculptoons in San Francisco. Gasek is a Fulbright Specialist and wrote the only book on "non‑puppet stop motion." He just completed his third independent film called 4 @ 60, which includes "non‑puppet" stop motion techniques.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: What are the Possibilities?, Chapter 2: Shooting Frame by Frame, Chapter 3: Pixilation, Chapter 4: Time Lapse, Chapter 5: Cinematography, Lighting and Composition, Chapter 6: Objects, People & Places, Chapter 7: The Multi-plane Downshooter, Chapter 8: A Sense of Drama, Chapter 9: Rhythm and Flow, Chapter 10: Post-production Techniques, Chapter 11: Massaging Frames in the Edit, Chapter 12: Exposure to the Market

Editorial Reviews

“This book is a wonderfully inspiring, accessible and thorough guide to a number of techniques that have been seldom written about or charted before. It is an essential manual for any student, professional or creative person who has ideas - and wants to be encouraged with a sense of “I could do that” – and wants to get their ideas out there. I just wish this book had been written when I was a student of animation (I still am, so I will buy it anyway).” -- Nick Park, Academy Award winner and creator of Wallace and Gromit.

“A must-have book for any animator’s library. Frame by Frame is a reminder of all the magical possibilities animation has to offer and all you need is a camera and an idea.” -- Jim Capabianco, Filmmaker / Director of “The Inventor”

“Tom’s extensive experience as a stop motion animator, combined with his knowledge of the field and his natural teaching ability, make this book a clear, well-organized, and empowering introduction to stop motion animation. This book will be an invaluable resource for student and teacher alike.” -- Steven Subotnick, animator, educator and author of Animation in the Home Digital Studio

“In the digital age it pays to remember that innovative ideas can still be inspired using even the most basic techniques. This book is a timely reminder that a rewarding process depends as much on ingenuity as it does on facility.” -- Dave Borthwick, animation director, Bolex Brothers

From the Publisher