This behind-the-scenes photo is from the making of PES’ short Western Spaghetti, which we screened at the September Flux Screening Series at the Hammer. See the movie below.

This morning on his Facebook page, celebrated animator PES shared tips for those looking for gear to make stop-motion movies.

A lot of you have asked for advice on a camera set-up for stop-motion, so I thought it was worth a post. Let me start by saying I do not have a single solution: I shoot both film and digital, depending on the situation and a variety of factors, including $$$$$.

But for personal work and experimentation, and to keep costs low, I would recommend using a Canon 40D, Novoflex adapter ring, and Nikon prime lenses. You must shoot on manual mode, and kill the auto white balance on the 40D.

The Canon 40D has a live feed, so plug it into your Framegrabber, whatever that is. I use Lunchbox Sync on my sets, because it’s durable and reliable, but there are other, cheaper digital alternatives (see link below).

Pes

lunchbox here: http://www.animationtoolworks.com/
digital framegrabbers here: http://www.stopmotionworks.com/stopmosoftwr.htm

For those still looking for gift ideas, PES’ take on the TV Yule Log makes a great inexpensive gift ($5 DVD). PES has just made his Yule Log available as a Screensaver (free download). I love his use of Candy Corn for flame, a technique he also used in Western Spaghetti.

PES’ Western Spaghetti (2008)