Objects, People, and Places - Frame-by-Frame Stop Motion: The Guide to Non-Traditional Animation Techniques - page 83

position high above the ground plane. He still required support but the supports
could be hidden behind Martin, out of sight from the camera. In the 1986
groundbreaking Sledgehammer music video, Peter Gabriel was animated with
lip movement. He sat upright and was given a head support to steady his head so
the focus could be centered on his moving lips.

FIG 6.2 Shot from peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer , with a support behind Gabriel's
head. Courtesy of Real World Music Ltd., Peter Gabriel Ltd., and Real World Productions Ltd.

The main challenge in any stop-motion technique is how to fight gravity. With
full body support, like a floor or bed, the human figure can be animated freely in
space with no constraints from gravity. This technique is similar to downshooting
on a stand but on a grander scale. There are times when people or objects have
to be animated with a visible support rig. This can be erased or cleaned out later
in postproduction. We get into more depth on this subject in Chapter 10. Any
kind of prefabricated or custom rig can be used, as long as it is strong, as small as
possible, and relatively lightweight, so it can be maneuvered easily.

FIG 6.3 a series of rigs that can be used for a variety of situations.