The Energon Pub

Hi, I'm new around here, and if there's somewhere this thread should be instead of here, well, sorry.

Anyways, I've seen a lot of really well done transformers clips. They're basically stop-motion movies made with figures. Most are very short, as stop-motion takes quite some time to do. But I had a thought. Some people have created their own fan series of TF, so why not me?

I want to do a stop-motion series, something that puts bots and cons from different universes together, and lets me go all-out with massive fights.

BUT, I need to know what equipment is necessary for making stop-motion, I need to know what programs I'll need for making pictures into a movie clip (Right now all I've got in windows movie maker).

Plus I'd like ideas for how I could do props like energon cubes, cybertronian structures, etc.

So, if you know anything about any of the stuff I've posted, I'd appreciate your help.

For the program... I am not sure, but you can always use Windows Movie Maker - anyone has it. About the Energon cubes - well you can use LEGO bricks (they are perfect for the job!). The story may be about Armada Unicron and Cybertron Primus fighting. And then they summon TFs from the many Universes. Then they all fight - Cybertron Megatron vs. BW Primal, BW Cheetor vs. Armada Nemesis Prime... That would be fun!

Hmm... Story-wise I was just thinking that it all took place in a different universe, plus it means I can create a sustained storyline instead of a long mindless battle.

Besides, I don't have Primus yet. Though I do consider myself lucky to have one of the original Armada Unicrons, not the horrid Energon repaint.

Also, if I do this by linking seperate photographs together to make a short clip, I can edit each picture and add in explosions, glowing parts, animated character faces, etc. However, this would take a lot more of my time, and I need a better digital camera than what I have.

Anybody else feel like contributing?

Just saw you're new here - first of all: Welcome to the boards! Warning: Seibertron contains nuts

Well you can use your Unicron to travel in that universe and the Autobots chasing him to destroy him. Then the long battle starts!

I posted a video of my Cybertron Landmine transforming back and forth between modes on Youtube. When the upload is finished, I'll post a link.

WARNING: Don't expect something good, this is my first try at stop-motion, so it's not great, and the camera didn't quite stay in the same place, I need a tripod, or something that will do the same job.

EDIT: Here's the link, the damned youtube uploader has butchered the vid, it's worse now than it was before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZEPue4lTjg

Look @ the comments on the clip

hi again

christron101 wrote:hi again

HELOOOO!

hi

christron101 wrote:hi

What's up? (extra familiar )

hi(even more familiar)

christron101 wrote:hi(even more familiar)

Better look @ Dead Metal's topic.

why

Quit spamming.

ok

OK

I used Stop Motion Pro (I think its http://www.stopmotionpro.com) to make <a href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2bYqucANu3w">this</a>.

That one's pretty good. And as for your comment at the end of that video, yes, stop motion is a pain in the backside.

I'll check out that stopmotion pro thingy once I have all the stuff I need to start making the film properly. As I don't want to download the free trial then have it run out before I can finish the movie.

What's the program like anyway?

Kriszilla wrote:That one's pretty good. And as for your comment at the end of that video, yes, stop motion is a pain in the backside.

I'll check out that stopmotion pro thingy once I have all the stuff I need to start making the film properly. As I don't want to download the free trial then have it run out before I can finish the movie.

What's the program like anyway?

Its so simple, even I can use it.

Hoenstly, you'll get to grips with it in no time at all. Tutorials (including one specifically for Transformers) are available on Youtube. Just search Stop Motion Pro.

Meverix wrote:I used Stop Motion Pro (I think its http://www.stopmotionpro.com) to make <a href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2bYqucANu3w">this</a>.

I am wondering if the colors were off because youtube messed it up or how stop motion pro looks before you upload it.
The video was funny anyway and the motion was good.

EnergonCube wrote:

Meverix wrote:I used Stop Motion Pro (I think its http://www.stopmotionpro.com) to make <a href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2bYqucANu3w">this</a>.

I am wondering if the colors were off because youtube messed it up or how stop motion pro looks before you upload it.
The video was funny anyway and the motion was good.

No, the lighting was bad is all.

A few tips from a film student who made a TF stop-motion series (I'm not trying to hate on you or anyone else here, so sorry if I come off sounding like a jerk):

- ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS use a tripod. You want the camera to remain steady.
- RTFM. Learn how to use your camera. A great movie can be ruined because the photographer didn't know how to focus or white balance.
- Set your camera to Detail Mode (usually a Flower icon on the mode selector ring), but don't always rely on it. Manually focus when necessary!
- Animation is NOT a novelty. Don't think of your animation as something cute that can hold its own just because it's animated. Treat your animation like you would treat any other film. You still need story, acting (body language if not using Voice Acting), composition, lighting, set design, audio, etc.
- Take A LOT of photos. Remember, the more frames you have, the smoother the animation will be. (generally, I try to keep my shooting sessions short so I don't take enough photos, hence choppy animation here and there )

Stop Motion Pro, Windows Movie Maker and iMovie all suck. I'd recommend Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere, but if you're looking for something simple and free, chances are you have Windows Movie Maker on your PC or iMovie on your mac. (I used MS Movie Maker to make my first stop-motion film, Don't Fear the Reaper (please excuse the crap animation), and the instability and lack of features will made me want to dropkick a baby.)

If you want to see some of my TF-related work, click on my sig to visit my YouTube Channel or use the handy links below (Bad Mother Truckers starts out slow but then the action builds up):
Bad Mother Truckers, Act 1: Situation
Bad Mother Truckers, Act 2: Investigation
Bad Mother Truckers, Act 3: Confrontation
Behind the Scenes on Bad Mother Truckers (explains certain effects/shots)
Transformers: All Fall Down (Classics duke it out, a fanboy gets owned)

Good luck, have fun, and don't spam.

From a media studies student's point of view, I'd have to say unless you have a video camera that takes still images & a tripod that connects properly to the camera there's no point. Otherwise you'll get wobbly shots that don't look right, etc etc etc.
You haven't spoken much about this side of things so I'm not too sure how up on all this stuff you are, so I just thought I'd let you know anyway. If you don't have a tripod make sure each shot angle allows you to rest the camera so it stays in the same place. The worst animations are ones that aren't consistent in their angles & get all wobbly.

Good luck ^^

1337W422102 wrote:A few tips from a film student who made a TF stop-motion series (I'm not trying to hate on you or anyone else here, so sorry if I come off sounding like a jerk):

- ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS use a tripod. You want the camera to remain steady.

Damn! Beaten to it!

Use a digital still camera, not a video camera. You'll want the functions and megapixels of a camera designed to take still images.