
KingKaijuGojira
MemberTitanosaurusDec-20-2014 11:37 AMSo last night I posted my first stop motion test. The first thing I like to say is thanks for the feedback. I just got the animation kit last night so my early works may be a little slow with the frame-rate. As I get more experience, it will increase.
Second is that I would like some suggestions for my first stop motion video. I am a collector of the S.H. Monsterarts figures. Their awesomeness and articulation should help me create art (well fan-art at least). The figures I have to use are Godzilla (2014, 2000, Comic-con Explosion and Adult Jr/1995 rebirth), Godzilla Jr, Mothra (Imago and Larva), Battra (Imago and Larva), King Ghidorah, Gigan, SpaceGodzilla, Kiryu (2002 and 2003), Fire Rodan, and Super XIII. I hope to get King Kong soon and intend to pre-order Gamera. I also have S.H. Monsterarts Wolf Predator, Alien Big Chap and two Figma Attack on Titan figures (Eren and Mikasa) if anyone was interested in a crossover (though I lack the sound effects).
So if there are any suggestions, feel free to comment. I'm leaning a bit towards the Godzilla vs King Ghidorah idea, but I'm still not sure.
\"SKREEONGK!\" -Godzilla

Sci-Fi King25
MemberGiganDec-20-2014 11:45 AMWhy not have Godzilla 1995 rebirth, Mothra, and Fire Rodan fight King Ghidorah and Gigan?
(Also, Godzilla 2000 vs. Battra Imago would be cool to see for some odd reason.)
“Banana oil.”- George Takei, Gigantis: The Fire Monster

Sci-Fi King25
MemberGiganDec-20-2014 11:46 AM^Also, having Super XIII fight the "good" and "bad" monsters in my first suggestion would be cool.
If you preorder Gamera, you must do Godzilla vs. Gamera. :)
“Banana oil.”- George Takei, Gigantis: The Fire Monster

KingKaijuGojira
MemberTitanosaurusDec-20-2014 11:50 AMWell when I get Gamera it's a given that I must do Godzilla vs Gamera. But what about Godzilla vs King Kong vs Gamera?
\"SKREEONGK!\" -Godzilla

Sci-Fi King25
MemberGiganDec-20-2014 12:00 PM^That would be AWESOME! :D
“Banana oil.”- George Takei, Gigantis: The Fire Monster

Gojira2K
MemberMothra LarvaeDec-20-2014 12:28 PM^^That would be awesome! Now you should do King Ghidorah, Mothra, Fire Rodan, vs G14.
"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self." - Ernest Hemingway.

KingKaijuGojira
MemberTitanosaurusDec-20-2014 1:47 PM^Like a GMK parody? I can't. I can't see King Ghidorah as a good guy, or Mothra as evil. I may do something similar Destroy All Monsters though, but after I have more experience. For now lets stick to just two monsters.
\"SKREEONGK!\" -Godzilla

NateZilla10000
MemberMothra LarvaeDec-24-2014 12:38 AMFor a first stopmotion film, I would take it slow.
I made the mistake of jumping into something huge with my first go at it, and it turned into a sloppy mess. I would start off with a quick battle or two if you want to go in the direction of Godzilla. In addition, start off with some generally "non-crazy" monsters. For instance, Ghidorah and Biollante would be poor starting monsters; his heads and her tentacle vines are a nightmare to animate. Godzilla, Spacegodzilla, Rodan, Mechagodzilla, and MOGUERA would be better starters. Gigan, Mothra, and Battra somewhere in the middle.
And some pro tips:
1. Always make sure your camera is steady and locked down. Nothing ruins a stopmotion reel worse than a jumpy camera.
?2. If you can, hook up your camera to your computer and take pictures through that. Not only will you be able to look back at photos with ease, but you won't have to touch the camera at all, eliminating any average chance of camera jolts.
3. Enough is never enough when it comes to photos and how many "in-between" shots you take. Don't be generous with posing, but be generous with taking photos, only moving the figure or any of its desired parts half a centimeter or so and taking the picture. You can eliminate unwanted frames later in editing.
4. The best frame rates to work with in stopmotion are 15fps and 24fps, at least for the average user. Big movie industries might go higher to, say, 30fps, but 15 or 24 will get by just fine.
5. Never use the sun as a light source. Always find a set that is lit at the same brightness 24/7. This eliminates light flicker in the final product.
6. Be mindful of what you're wearing and where you are in the room; your presence can sometimes be felt. For instance, if you are wearing red, that sometimes is reflected onto the set, giving everything a red hue. It's best to wear all black on the day of filming, as that color absorbs light rather than reflect it.
Also, shiny surfaces can reflect your image as well as the camera's. Be sure to be extra careful in your own position and the camera's security when dealing with those types of surfaces. Otherwise, the final product will see blobs jumping about the shiny area.
7. (And one of the most important) Be gentle. If the monster is moved too much from the current position, it'll take some serious efforts to duplicate its last pose to perfection. NEVER pick up a figure to change its pose, ALWAYS be careful when moving a part, and ALWAYS plan out the action BEFORE you film it. That way, you know what the figure is going to do, how fast it's going to do it, and where/how it's going to end up.
Hope I helped. =)