Working with modelling clay, eg. plasticine, is one of the simpliest and easiest way to start your way in animation. What you need to do is just, firstly, creating a simple model out of clay, and secondly, changing their shape bit by bit. It is the nable to create the illusion that it is moving on its own.
Clay animation is cheap and requires no technical expertise. Most people would have the experience playing with plasticine or clay at some time or other and therefore, claymation is suitable for all age groups.

Materials

1. Clay/ Plasticine

Set-up
A table or an elevated platfoam is required to serve as the work area where clay can be animated. A digital video camera is mounted on a tripod and connected to a computer.
An ordinary photographic tripod is usually used and the DVC is positioned such that it points and will shoot the clay from a horizontal position. The clay is usually animated on a clean surface and against a white background.

Steps to Clay Animation

1. Construct the basic set up accordingly as shown in the set-up section. Switch on the computer and start the programme Adobe Premiere. Select the function File> Capture> Stop motion.

2. Brteak off a piece of clay from the plasticine slab. Warm it up by rolling it between your hands so that the clay can be moulded easily.Then roll it up into a ball.

3. In this instance, we are animating the flattening of the ball. Thus we are concentrating on the aspect of the movement of the clay by the successive modification and shaping of it.

4. For the first frame, we shall press the clay gradually and take 50 frames for the starting of the sequence so as to create a holding time for its start. For the subsequent frames of flattening, take 5 frames at each time. For the last frame of action whereby the clay is flattened, take 50 frames to create a holding time for the end of the sequence.

5. In claymation, ensure that the area is clean at all times.

Special Techniques and Skills

1) 'The Illusion of Depth' i) Very often, the setting for the claymation is often small. therefore, clay-animators may want to use the this technique to create the illusion that something is coming from a very far place ie. a rock rolling towards the viewer from a far place. Ê

ii) Firstly roll the clay into balls of differnt, successive sizes. Ê

iii) Set up the DVC such that it's level with the ball Ê

iv) Start filming with the smallest ball, taking frames of it rolling towards the DVC. Then stop at a position not too far away from the starting point, leave the first ball there and take a second ball which is slightly bigger in size. Ê

v) Adjust the position of the second ball such that it appears as the same size of the first smaller ball on the DVC. Start the taking of the rolling of the second ball from the position whereby its size appears to be the same as the first ball. Ê

vi) Keep doing this for the subsequent frames and the effect will be achieved. Ê

2) 'Flying objects Ê

i) Attach a fishing line to the object that you are animating. Ê

ii) Holding the end of the fishing lin, move the object into mid-air at the position that you want. Make sure the hand is out of view on the DVC. Ê