Clay Animation Tutorial: Lip Sync

An in-depth look at preparing for and shooting lip sync for a clay animation character. Includes methods of reading tracks, principles of working with dialogue, and techniques of stop motion and clay animation.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• learn stop motion
• mouth animation
• stop motion
• stop motion tutorial
• stop motion how to
• clay animation
• clay animation tutorial
• clay animation how to
• claymation
• claymation tutorial
• claymation how to
• animation
• animation tutorial
• animation how to
• lip sync
• lip sync tutorial
• animation lesson
• pop through
• animatic
• animation reference

[trying2bfunny]

I tried filming myself speaking the lines back in the '80's with super 8 film, and it worked. It's also a good way to study real mouth movement. Keep in mind, though, that it is unlikely that the reference will be in perfect sync with prerecorded audio (unless you are recording the voiceover along with the reference), so following that frame by frame may not be in sinc.

[trying2bfunny]

I use Van Aken Plastalina clay.

[trying2bfunny]

I use the prosumer camcorders I use for my freelance video business, a Canon XL2 or GL2. A DSLR would be better if you got the money. The economical route would be a camcorder with a firewire output. But make sure it has full manual override, as autofocus and even auto white balance will change for every frame.

[trying2bfunny]

The character who stands and is used in the tutorial is 16" tall, which is needlessly tall but is my best-built armature. It was once used as "The Man in the Yellow Hat" in an adaptation of Curious George, and so had to look tall next to the monkey. The sitting guy is 8" tall, which is a good height for a stop motion puppet.

[trying2bfunny]

The puppet has a steel ball and socket armature, and the set was made up of wooden props and plastic plants purchased at a craft store. A lot of the materials for stop motion can be found at places like Michael's.

[yogendra7ydv]

great yaar !

[magergamer64]

very nice!!!

[lwood19]

could you just film your self saying the words as a reference and slow it down to as you need it?

[MrsGunther]

What kind of clay do you use?

[vargxin]

hi there i was wondering if u could of gave me advice, on what type of camera should i used for Clay Animation ? n wat kind did u use for your animated clip