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Q. What is Claymation?
Animation done using clay is called Claymation. Mostly it is been done by plasticine (Plastic clay which does not dry off).
It is the art of making clay figures move, talk, sing, dance or whatever you imagine. Figures and props are molded from clay and are then used to tell a story. Using stop motion photography or like we did, a series of still pictures taken with a digital camera, the frames are then run together to produce an animation.
Q. How dose it different then computer generated animation where you can achieve same 3D result?
Clay animation has its unique feel to it. Hand made textured surface, moving thumb mark on character and timing of stop motion, which people are struggling to get it by computer generated animation and could not achieve till today with advanced software’s.
It has human touch and feels to it which mechanical computer can not achieve. I think that’s why we like and enjoy clay animation more.
You can compare like handicraft object and machine made plastic object.
That doesn’t mean that computer generated animation is not good!! All animation mediums have their on charm and feel to it!
Q. How did the idea evolve for you and how do you decide in what medium it will look its best?
Mainly depends on the story then come time, money, infrastructure and demand
Q. What have you gained and what have you lost by jumping into Claymation and experimental film making?
I have lost nothing in clay animation and experimental film making. Instead I become versatile to any medium of animation like 2D classical, cut out, material, send, pixilation, Flash, stop motion etc,
Adapt myself anywhere in animation industry and get great satisfaction to do variety of work.
My nature is such that I can not stuck to one style it looks limiting my self from freedom to learn new things, easy way out and afraid of challenges.
I like to explore, experiment different style and materials. May be I am strongly inspired by renowned film maker like Norman McLaren, Ishu Patel, Caroline Leaf etc.
Q. How do you create the miniature world for your claymations?
It is to do with various material mixes and match of materials to get the result required. In India we do not have special materials available for stop motion set, model, props etc. I always have habit to look for miniature toys, props, tools or materials which can be useful to make models when I go for normal shopping or market. I have lot of collection of all so while making character or set I find most of the thing from it.
Q. How has your photography helped you in your creations?
Photography helps me a lot while planning for camera angle, lighting, other technical things like exposure, shutter speed, difference lens etc.
Developed great eye to visualize different framing and compositions
Q. What if you could scan your puppet characters into the computer, and have them look exactly the same as they do. . . . If you could animate them in the computer, do you think you would do that?
Yes, the puppet look can be achieved by scanning different texture and mapping on the model in 3D software. Hope we can achieve the stop motion feel to animation too.
Q. Do you have a lot of effects in a Claymation, and I often wonder how they were created. Do you use computers in post production to take out wires, or to add effects, or are you "too pure?"
We should try to get most of the effects while the shoot and also use the computer where ever necessary like to take out wires, effects like smoke, fire etc or in blue / green screen compositing.
Q. When I see a drop of water or a bead of sweat in a claymation film, how do u achieve that?
Lot of people asks same question, it is a combination of materials like thin plastic sheet (Which is used in kitchen to wrap vegetables), glycerin, lubricant jelly, glue gun drops.
For example water coming out from tap in force you can use just thin plastic sheet, cut small pieces of it, fold and make three or four shapes broad at base and narrow at top, while animation you can just replace it.
Q. What can you tell us about the future of claymation?
Very optimistic!! We will have more and more films done in this medium and there will be Indian clay animation film in international market.
Q. What kind of audience are you designing the films for?
I am very flexible with any type of audience that’s because of my NID education, it all to do with design process.
Q. There are so many people who are eager to get involved in stop-motion, while there are fewer and fewer opportunities out there. What advice would you have for young, aspiring stop-motion animators?
Yes’ there are fewer opportunities and very small number of people are doing it in India. But if I compare it with few years back there are lots or awareness there in public because of TV commercials and stopmotion TV series they see on cartoon channels. When I started my career with Rohit watsa, Director Frantic films, we had to educate the client about the claymation and show them samples and process.
Q. Please comment on cgTantra, what do you think about this Forum and now as a part of the CGTANTRA forums how can you help us make it better?
I think this forum is awesome. You guys have been doing a great job. And thank you for inviting me onto your forums. I will start actively participate and help in whatever possible way, starting with the new CGTANTRA Experimental Animation Section.
Thank You Dhimant for your time.
Meet Dhimant as he shares his experience at Ardman Studios and showcases the making of his latest film - " The Happy Planet" for Tata Interactive Systems during the CGTANTRA LIG Series event on June 17th at Whisting Woods international, Mumbai.
- by Vinod
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