I’m very excited because I just finished my first ever attempt at stop motion animation.
It’s something I’ve been wanting to try for a while, then my sister and bro-in-law gave me some rather wacky wooden cats on a sofa as a Christmas gift. I could immediately see the cats starring in their own little production, so I built them a shoe-box stage and got the camera out.
It was very time-consuming and I learned loads. The result isn’t exactly Corpse Bride, and if there’s a next time it will no doubt be better technically, with a more involved storyline. But I modestly believe this first attempt has a certain charm!
What do you think?
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Elaine 12.29.08 at 12:00 pm
A-dor-able.
Well done, Tess. I hope there will be a sequel.
Epiphany Girl 12.29.08 at 12:26 pm
So precious! It definitely made me smile. Especially the way it really seems like the kitties are staring up at the ceiling in a fog of feline love and don’t see their little friend on the floor! God bless you and your patience.
I think it is an especially nice way to remember Eartha Kitt who just passed away too!
Happy creating,
Marisa
Abbey of the Arts 12.29.08 at 4:51 pm
Absolutely adorable, you have me a big smile on this quiet Monday. Yes, I am also eagerly awaiting installment two and hope we don’t have to wait until your birthday before someone gives you cute wooden kittens to play with.
A from Minnesota 12.29.08 at 7:53 pm
Niiiiice!
I’m quite impressed. Nice choice with the Eartha Kitt song too. 
Tess 12.29.08 at 8:00 pm
Well thank you all. Yes I meant to say that the Eartha Kitt choice was deliberate, both because of her death on Christmas Day and because of her role as Catwoman. What a splendid diva she was!
Barbara 12.29.08 at 8:25 pm
What a delightful beginning! Please continue. Among other things, this was a gentle reminder to me to go ahead and adopt a kitteh of my own.
towanda 12.29.08 at 9:13 pm
Very cute!
pam at beyondjustmom 12.30.08 at 2:13 pm
so fun. . .the tension. . . the suspense. . . the climax! all elements of a great story.
Tess 12.30.08 at 6:37 pm
@Barbara, a kitteh of your own – how wonderful! We will want pictures.
@Towanda, Pam, thank you. My sister’s threatening to buy me something else from the same shop for a sequel but she won’t say what. We’ll see!
Barbara Anne 12.30.08 at 7:57 pm
Hi Tess!
Applause, applause!!!!!! Love the little furniture, little floor lamp, little actors, and the music!!!!!! You did well and the result is perfectly delightful. Thanks!!
I await the sequel!
lucy 12.30.08 at 11:07 pm
bravo!! bravo!!! encore!!! i would love to hear about your process. it is amazingly well done for a first attempt (even though i don’t know what the attempt entailed.)
Jenn 12.31.08 at 1:35 am
Wow, very well done.
Sunrise Sister 12.31.08 at 1:38 am
Sound of hands clapping – I’m so impressed:) If I interpret the stop motion method correctly, that little piece must have taken HOURS!
xoxo
Tess 12.31.08 at 10:21 am
@Barbara Anne: Thank you, I can see a sequel is definitely needed!
@Jenn: Welcome to my blog and thanks so much for your comment, I appreciate it.
@Lucy & SS: Thank you for your comments. About the process:
Being me I just jumped in and made it up as I went along (I get impatient about things like this, can’t wait to learn and do it ‘properly’ and in the end it takes me twice as long. I have since discovered and am exploring http://www.stopmotionanimation.com/).
The set: I painted the inside of a shoe box, cut out the ‘ceiling’ so light could get in, raided a hobby shop dolls house section for a cheap standard lamp and used buttons in the shape of fish on the walls. The ‘carpet’ is tissue paper and the curtains brown crepe paper threaded on a knitting needle.
Then I positioned the Mouse and Kittehs in place with a blob of Blu-tack, took a photo, then repositioned and took the next photo. It ended up being 131 still shots in the end.
What I found about half-way through is that I should have anchored the “set” with Blu-tack to stop it moving around. Also I should have set the camera exposure manually – I ended up having to recolour loads of the shots in Photoshop because the automatic exposure I used must have reacted to the sun going behind the clouds (I took the photos on my bedroom windowsill at midday) so some of the shots ended up almost blue. At least I’m guessing that’s the reason – Lucy, Bill would of course know. I was using the same camera I had in Paris (you’ll be glad to know I finally figured out how to turn the flash off). I was disappointed the shots were not sharper, as well, although obviously I used my tripod.
Then imported all the photos into Windows Movie Maker, played around with the timing and finally imported the song, played around with the timing some more, swore a lot and added the titles. (Lucy, did you notice the name of the first cat was Ginger – an homage to the little dog in ‘our’ cafe!)
SS, you’re right, it took around five hours, but I listened to some downloads from Speaking of Faith by Krista Tippett, got up and stretched loads, had tea and cookies and tried not to think of the housework. It was mostly fun, and the time went really quickly.
So that’s the “how” – you did ask!
Stephanie 12.31.08 at 5:21 pm
So fun! I love the whole look of your little set too! I see many more of these in your future!!
Happy New Year!
x..x
lucy 01.01.09 at 7:41 am
thanks for the blow by blow! it is really fascinating and i am so glad you did it. i love the homage to our “ginger”!