✨ Where to Start
You’ve discovered the magic of stop-motion animation. But, where to start?
Like any new hobby, it’s best to try it for free first.
You’re in luck, because you can start animating right now with nothing more than a phone. I put together this free, 10-MINUTE LESSON where I detail the basics of getting started in stop-motion and a simple first assignment to start your journey:
✨ Stop-Motion with Kevin
Learn stop-motion at home with simple arts-and-crafts exercises!
I created LESSONS designed to make learning stop-motion as simple as possible. All you’ll need is a phone/tablet and inexpensive materials. In each lesson, I walk through a simple exercise designed to teach a principle of animation.
Get my free, printable stop-motion ACTIVITY SHEET in my shop.
✨ My Stop-Motion Course
If you’re serious about learning stop-motion, I highly suggest my STOP-MOTION COURSE.
It’s designed to teach you everything you need to know to progress from an absolute beginner to an intermediate skill level.
The lessons increase from basic timing exercises to ‘hiring’ you to create a stop-motion social media ad for a fictitious coffee company. When completed, you'll have the skills necessary to turn your passion into the start of a career.
Visit the COURSE PAGE to see full lesson descriptions as well as try the first lesson for free!
✨ Apps & Software
STOP-MOTION STUDIO is an intuitive, feature-packed app that’s incredibly simple to use - especially if it’s your first time trying stop-motion. You can manage many projects, add effects, green screen, etc. It’s available for smart phones, desktop computers, and tablets.
LIFE LAPSE is another easy-to-use, smart phone based stop-motion app. It’s a favorite among professional content creators who want to bring social media product photography to life through motion.
DRAGONFRAME is THE industry standard software for professional stop-motion productions. It’s what I use for all of my animation. If you’re feeling limited or held back by stop-motion smart phone apps, then you’re probably ready to start using Dragonframe.
✨ Shopping (Books & Equipment)
I’ve put together an AMAZON AFFILIATE SHOP - including a stop-motion starter kit, book recommendations, and the gear I use in my own studio.
I thought this would be helpful if you’re just getting started in stop-motion, want to take your skills to the next level, or if you're buying a gift for a young animation enthusiast.
Full disclosure: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you were to purchase one book to learn about all of the aspects of stop-motion, I'd recommend STOP-MOTION FILMMAKING: The Complete Guide to Fabrication and Animation (Amazon Affiliate link)
✨ Poseable Figures
It’s fun to bring random household objects to life, but the next step is telling stories using characters. Here are some poseable figures that I personally recommend using - listed in order from beginner ($) to professional ($$$$).
STIKBOT’S are an inexpensive, ready-to-use armature toy designed specifically for stop-motion. They have a wide range of motion and are a great introduction to puppet animation. (Amazon Affiliate link)
STICKYBONES are fully articulated, 3D-printed stop-motion puppets - complete with fingers and magnetic feet. These were specifically created to fill the void between homemade wire armature and expensive ball-and-socket armature. Highly recommended for practicing character animation.
AARDMAN ARMATURE CREATURE KITS are great entry level ball-and-socket armatures, from the creators of Wallace & Gromit! The great thing about this kit is that you can build an endless amount of humanoid, animal, or creature armatures.
KINETIC ARMATURES are the real deal. They’re lovingly machined out of steel/brass and built to feature film quality. The ball-and-socket joints are so precise that every move of the armature is buttery smooth.
✨ Clay & Plasticine
If you're getting into claymation, you'll need some clay or plasticine that's soft enough to manipulate, firm enough to hold it's shape, and doesn't stain your fingers! Here are my personal recommendations:
FIMO SOFT is a sculpting clay meant to be baked and hardened, but is perfectly animatable. Despite being called soft it's actually slightly firm, which is good for holding complex shapes but I'd avoid for younger children. (Amazon Affiliate link)
FUNSTUFF PLASTIMODAL is super soft and a great choice for younger children. Although it's probably a bit more oily than the other options, meaning it might leave a bit of color on your fingers. It's a bit difficult to find online, so check your local art shop.
CLAYTOON is specifically designed for claymation, so it has a really nice balance of softness/firmness and doesn't stain your hands. (Amazon Affiliate link)
✨ Rigs & Winders
If you’ve ever seen a stop-motion character ‘jump’ into the air, then it was being held up by what is called a rig (poseable arm) or a winder (single axis, geared movement). Here are some rigs and winders that I personally recommend using - listed in order from beginner ($) to professional ($$$$).
This ACTION FIGURE STAND can be easily rotated and tightened into any position while holding the weight of a standard action figure, It's the type of beginner rig used to have a character ‘jump’ in the air. Great to learn with if you aren’t concerned about erasing rigs in post-production. (Amazon Affiliate link)
This ‘HELPING HANDS’ RIG is an inexpensive option at only $10. I would buy at least two of these and then ditch the magnifying glass. From there, you can combine several of the ball-and-socket parts into a useable rig, complete with alligator clip to grab onto whatever you're animating. (Amazon Affiliate link)
This ANIBILD RIG (available through ANIMATION TOOLKIT) is an adjustable ball-and-socket rig designed to work with the AARDMAN ARMATURE (above) by screwing into a hip or chest block. However, I’ve rigged it to a number of objects using hot glue or tape.
KINETIC ARMATURES offer a wide variety of professional rigs (I use them for my stop-motion). You get what you pay for in the world of machined ball-and-socket joints, and these are exceptionally well made.
Kinetic Armatures also offers a wide variety of XY WINDERS - used to get micro, linear movements. Great for precisely controlling objects in space, as using only a chain of ball-and-socket joints can be a bit tricky to move slightly in specific up-down, left-right directions.
STOP & FRAME offer a variety of professional winders and ball-and-socket rigging equipment.