# Stop Motion Animation ## Overview https://youtu.be/TFdrJ0VDOTU ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/063/053/medium800/projects_stopMoSetup_IMG_1526_2k.jpg?1538713109) Stop motion animation is lots of fun to watch, and maybe even more fun to make! Using a tablet or smartphone with inexpensive or even free software, it's very easy to make your own stop motion films. This guide covers the basics to get you started, and includes resources and links for further learning. Since Halloween is a terrific subject for stop motion animation (go watch _ **The Nightmare Before Christmas** _ if you've never seen it!) we'll create a Halloween-themed shot using our beloved Adafruit characters! ## Parts You can use nearly anything you like to create sets and characters for stop motion! A cardboard box and a couple of LEGO figures or a lump of clay are more than enough materials to begin! Here are some simple accessories to use if you want to make an Adafruit-themed Halloween stop motion animation. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/063/020/medium800/projects_C12351_kit_02_ORIG_2018_09.jpg?1538698674) ### Part: Adafruit #ElectricHalloween Cards quantity: 1 set of 5 [Adafruit #ElectricHalloween Cards](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3912) ### Part: Adafruit #ElectricHalloween Sticker Sheet quantity: 1 Set 1 of 2 [Adafruit #ElectricHalloween Sticker Sheet](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3913) ### Part: Adafruit #ElectricHalloween Sticker Sheet quantity: 1 Set 2 of 2 [Adafruit #ElectricHalloween Sticker Sheet](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3914) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/063/021/medium800/projects_3913___3914_double_top_ORIG_2018_09.jpg?1538698685) ## Tools and Materials In addition to cardboard or foam core to act as a set, plus some figures, blocks, clay, stickers, or other materials for characters, you'll also need: - iOS or Android tablet or smart phone - Stop motion app, such as [Stop Motion Studio](https://www.cateater.com/) - Tripod or other tablet/phone holder to keep it steady - Many devices can use the inline button on a pair of earbuds to trigger the camera shutter without touching the screen, so if you happen to have a set of those, great! - A lamp or two for even, controlled lighting ## Optional Upgrades If you want to bump up the quality of your stop motion animation at some point, consider getting dedicated lighting and helping hands to hold set pieces and characters: ### Part: Camera-Mount LED Photography Light quantity: 1 CIE Ra 95 - 3200K to 5600K [Camera-Mount LED Photography Light](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2894) ### Part: Hobby Creek Magnetic Helper Hand quantity: 1 Two arms on one magnetic base [Hobby Creek Magnetic Helper Hand](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3373) ### Part: Hobby Creek Magnetic Mag Hand Professional Workstation quantity: 1 with four arms and heavy steel base [Hobby Creek Magnetic Mag Hand Professional Workstation](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3529) Let's get started! - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/stop-motion-animation/stop-motion-animation-basics.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit #ElectronicHalloween Halloween Cards (set of 5) [Adafruit #ElectronicHalloween Halloween Cards (set of 5)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3912) _"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn't show." –_ Andrew Wyeth There's something about a Halloween landscape that immediately takes us back to childhood... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3912) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3912/guides) ### Adafruit #ElectronicHalloween Halloween Sticker Sheet Set 1 [Adafruit #ElectronicHalloween Halloween Sticker Sheet Set 1](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3913) The season of spooky is nigh and here at the Adafruit factory we love [Halloween](https://www.adafruit.com/category/307)! We have soo many guides in the Adafruit Learn System whether you want to make a [HalloWing...](https://learn.adafruit.com/hallowing-spirit-board?view=all) No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3913) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3913/guides) ### Adafruit #ElectronicHalloween Halloween Sticker Sheet Set 2 [Adafruit #ElectronicHalloween Halloween Sticker Sheet Set 2](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3914) The season of spooky is nigh and here at the Adafruit factory we love [Halloween](https://www.adafruit.com/category/307)! We have soo many guides in the Adafruit Learn System whether you want to make a [HalloWing...](https://learn.adafruit.com/hallowing-spirit-board?view=all) No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3914) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3914/guides) ### Camera-Mount LED Photography Light - CIE Ra 95 - 3200K to 5600K [Camera-Mount LED Photography Light - CIE Ra 95 - 3200K to 5600K](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2894) If you'd like to document your projects and builds in style, this is **Camera-Mount LED Photography Light** is a premier solution to all of your photo and video lighting needs! Pop in a Sony NP-F550 battery (which you can basically find anywhere) and then tune the LED Panel to... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2894) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2894/guides) ### Hobby Creek Mag Hand Professional Workstation [Hobby Creek Mag Hand Professional Workstation](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3529) Discontinued - **you can grab ** [Super Fancy Third Hand Kit from Hobby Creek with Four Arms](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2474) **instead! ** Just when we begin to think that Hobby Creek couldn't possibly offer another third hand product that would... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3529) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3529/guides) ## Related Guides - [Tappy Robotic Hand](https://learn.adafruit.com/robotic-tapping-hand-with-cpx.md) - [Archimedes' Boat](https://learn.adafruit.com/archimedes-boat.md) - [Collin's Lab: Solar](https://learn.adafruit.com/collins-lab-solar.md) - [AI 3D Printed Figure](https://learn.adafruit.com/ai-figure.md) - [Adafruit New York and NYC DOE vendor information ](https://learn.adafruit.com/educational-orders-for-educators-based-in-new-york.md) - [Karel The Robot In CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/karel-the-robot-in-circuitpython.md) - [3D Scans for Low Poly Statues](https://learn.adafruit.com/low-poly-3d-scans-for-3d-printing.md) - [Skill Badge Sash](https://learn.adafruit.com/skill-badge-sash.md) - [Circuit Playground Powerpuff Girls Valentine](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-valentine.md) - [Circuit Playground Express Spinner Game in MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-makecode-spinner-game.md) - [Introducing Circuit Playground](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-circuit-playground.md) - [Sound Reactive Sunflower Baby Crib Mobile with Bluetooth Control](https://learn.adafruit.com/sound-reactive-sunflower-baby-crib-mobile-with-bluetooth-control.md) - [Cartoon Network MakeCode: Garnet's Palm Gems from Steven Universe](https://learn.adafruit.com/cartoon-network-makecode-garnet-s-palm-gems-from-steven-universe.md) - [UART Communication Between Two CircuitPython Boards](https://learn.adafruit.com/uart-communication-between-two-circuitpython-boards.md) - [MakeCode Course for Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode-circuit-playground-express-course.md)