Final In-Depth Post: Learning Centre

My Final Post

Hello, and welcome to my final post! For this final post and learning center, I have created a separate website showing off my work, so go check it out, and then you can come back here with questions or comments, which I’d be happy to answer.

My Learning Centre: https://bensstopmotion.weebly.com

23 comments

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  1. cquach · June 1, 2021 at 1:59 am ·

    Ben! This is such an engaging presentation! I am very impressed with the way you created strong storytelling, nuanced characterization, a clear climax and shifting moods in your short. I also appreciate how you used the camera as a way to enhance the storytelling. I am blown away by the unity you have created with voice, music, sound effects and humor. The 8 frames you provided provides clear insight into how effortful and time-consuming stop motion can be. In a time of digital animation, do you feel there is still a market for stop motion – what can it provide that digital animation can not? Thanks!

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 2:16 am ·

      Thanks for such awesome and descriptive feedback! While it is sometimes dishearteningly niche, there is absolutely still a market for it, whether it be short advertisements, feature lengths like Laika’s Kubo and the Two Strings, or independent YouTubers who often make stop motion with LEGO, like my mentor. As for what makes it special, there’s a very certain nostalgic-toy feel it often has, and really provokes thought in the viewer over how it was made, whereas CG and 2d don’t. People who do choose stop motion often do so for that unique real feeling.

  2. Dylan · June 1, 2021 at 2:07 am ·

    Your final project looks so good, Ben! I can clearly see the progression of your skill in stop-motion with each video, and the most recent ones are a joy to watch with how smooth they are! Great job.

    Dylan

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 2:18 am ·

      Hey, thanks so much its good to hear they are being enjoyed.

  3. Justin · June 1, 2021 at 2:23 am ·

    First the website was very neat and really showed your progression.
    Second, that stop motion animation was both funny, packed with action, and engaging, amazing job with the animation. Another thing I enjoyed a lot was not only all the roger roger voice overs, but I also loved all the other sound effects you were able to put into this animation, it really brought it to life. Loved the background too and the incorporation of the scope and the Lego smoke. Great storytelling, amazing execution 👏👏. And I guess he is the commander now.

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 2:35 am ·

      Thanks a bunch! Yeah, I really tried to put sound effects for as much as I can, and thanks to my mentor’s advice, put some time into cutting out boring parts to make it more engaging. Also, I’m glad to hear some of the comedy landed, as I feel making funny scenarios is often my weak spot.

  4. Glen · June 1, 2021 at 2:38 am ·

    Such a cool In-Depth project Ben! Your passion and dedication for stop motion is very evident! How do you prevent yourself from becoming tired and bored while taking so many images? Overall, I really liked your final movie!

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 2:59 am ·

      Thanks for the feedback! There are a few ways I stave off boredom. Podcasts and music are some of them, but another way is to keep myself doing exciting and interesting scenes, and sometimes boredom does get me and I have to take a break.

  5. qmtk · June 1, 2021 at 2:58 am ·

    Commitment, dedication and perseverance. Great choice of film angles. Have you though about entering it in a competition? You choose a skill that is a great fit for you. What is next?

  6. Yi · June 1, 2021 at 3:06 am ·

    Hello Ben, “Never mess with a hungry Wookiee” was a cinematic masterpiece. The amount of detail and thought put into the video is appreciated when watching. Have you considered providing some background noise alongside the effect noise which plays throughout the duration of the video. I feel that there are some moments of silence and could impact the feel of environment a lot more if subtle ambience could break the short silences! Overall, I had a very good time watching the video and scrolling through your other projects. Keep up the good work!

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 3:18 am ·

      Thanks, yeah I think some forest ambience like birds or something would have done nicely in it too, though I was hedging my bets that the music would reduce the need. The sound design was a little bit rushed lol. Thanks for the feedback though!

  7. Xylia · June 1, 2021 at 3:18 am ·

    Hi Ben,

    I’m not kidding when I say these are some of the best stop motion animations I’ve ever watched! The Wookiee one was super smooth, and the sounds and effects just added to the overall awesomeness. The story was very funny and interesting too!
    How long have you been doing stop motion animation for?

    Xylia

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 3:28 am ·

      Hey, thanks for that great feedback. I have been doing stop motion for seven years now.

  8. Anita · June 1, 2021 at 3:27 am ·

    Hi Ben, your videos are amazing and super creative!!! Your whole in-depth website is engaging and it was fun looking around. Thanks for sharing!

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 3:31 am ·

      Thanks!

  9. Bana · June 1, 2021 at 3:32 am ·

    You are an incredible stop motion animator! Your animations are so fun to watch and I’m glad I subscribed to your YouTube channel. Your work is straight impressive and I really like the way you explained stop motion animation frames on your website – it was so creative. Where do you get your storytelling inspiration?

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 3:45 am ·

      Thanks for the awesome feedback! The inspiration for my stories usually happens when looking at my LEGO or HotWheels and an idea pops into my head. I then think about it and figure parts of it out. Then I start filming it, and that in turn gives me more ideas as I go that eventually form the video. I am very much inspired also by the media I see around me, and other stop motion animations.

  10. 125-mbettauer · June 1, 2021 at 3:59 am ·

    WHOA! This is so amazing! The storytelling, the sound design, the cinematography, the special effects (that smoke was ingenious), absolutely incredible! You should be super proud of yourself for this!

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 4:11 am ·

      Thanks so much! I put a lot of hard work into it.

  11. Ronan · June 1, 2021 at 5:11 am ·

    Wow! It was really cool to see the progression in your videos from the videos that you did before In-Depth to you’re final project. 4,300 frames that’s a lot of pictures, I can only imagine how long that would take… but, mine has 6,600 frames. Just kidding, can’t wait to see what comes next on you’re YouTube channel, keep it up!

    • Benjamin · June 1, 2021 at 2:06 pm ·

      Thanks so much, yeah I think I improved a lot.

  12. rochambers · June 1, 2021 at 7:13 pm ·

    Hi Ben,
    I loved not only the humour, but also how it stayed true to the Star Wars universe in terms of characters. I wonder how you did the laser blasts?
    Mrs. Chambers

    • Benjamin · June 2, 2021 at 12:43 am ·

      Thanks for the nice comment! The laser blasts were lego pieces that I suspended with clay. Then I took a picture without the clay or laser. Then put the picture with the laser overtop of the clear picture, so when I erased the part of the top picture with the clay, you could see through to the bottom picture with no clay, making it look like the lasers were flying. This process is called masking. I also held a red flashlight above the scene to make the lasers look like they were glowing.