Getting started with stop motion animation is really quite simple. Just make sure you have the right equipment from the outset and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle.
Not sure what kit to invest in?
Below you’ll find my essential stop motion animation kit and also items that are ‘nice to have’ in your stop motion animation toolbox.
Essential Kit
Camera – I use a Canon 60D DSLR but you can also shoot stop motion animation on your smartphone camera too.
Tripod – as essential as the camera. Without a tripod, your stop motion video animation will literally be all over the place and the effect won’t work. You’ll also need a boom extension arm if you’re creating overhead animations. I’m currently using the Manfrotto 131DB Horizontal Double Head Accessory Arm for my DSLR. For shooting with a mobile phone, use a tripod similar to this Tryone Gooseneck Phone Holder.
Remote control shutter release – even touching the camera to take an image can cause the camera to move and potentially ruin your stop motion animation. A remote or tethered shutter release is a useful addition to your kit. For my smartphone, I use this Wireless Bluetooth Remote Shutter Release. For my DSLR I’ve tested the VILTROX JY-710 2.4GHZ Wireless Remote Shutter Controller, which works well.
Editing Software – I use Adobe Premiere Pro. For shooting and editing, Stop Motion Studio on iOS and Android is perfectly good for simple animations.
Really Nice to Have Kit
A Lens Band (for overhead shots) – I only recently discovered this simple but effective piece of kit. Heavy lenses on DSLR cameras can ‘creep’ meaning they’ll extend or zoom unintentionally. I’ve shot an entire sequence before only to discover the lens on my camera ‘zoomed’ in slightly. So frustrating!
The lens band will keep the camera lens in a fixed place. I use the Lensband Zoom Lens Creep Reducer.
Lighting – natural light from a window will do a grand job at lighting your image HOWEVER you’ll be amazed at how quickly light changes.
The subtle changes in light will result in flickering on your stop motion animation. Therefore I recommend using a continuous lighting kit. In the past, I’ve used the 50x70cm Soft Box Photo Studio Set. For smaller spaces, these Neewer LED lights look good too (I haven’t used these ones, but I have used Neewer lighting in the past and they are a good budget option.)
Prop Kit Toolbox – keep a toolbox with useful bits and bobs; the most important being plasticine for keeping things in place.
I also have a selection of skewers, pliers, wire (in a variety of gauges), a ruler, pencils, tweezers, cocktail sticks, medical gloves (essential for avoiding fingerprints) and foam pads for propping things up.
Prop Kit
Backgrounds – gather a selection of coloured paper backgrounds (minimum 150 gsm, but preferably 300gsm to avoid getting creases), painted wood or photo boards.
Other props, products and paper – I make many of my props using paper. I also love scouring the pound shop, craft shops, car boot sales and charity shops for interesting props to use in my animations.
Craft Supplies – keep a variety of paint and spray paint for decorating your stop motion animation props. Also string, cotton, real/faux flowers, pencils and pens. All fantastic if you want to create your own props or repurpose old ones.
As always email Mark with your comments or questions about stop motion animation. I’m on hand to help 🙂
