Shaping Ideas - Stop Motion: Passion, Process and Performance - page 109

introducing the characters. Shakespeare, i nding himself in the spotlight, is surprised. It could
suggest that he has been summoned, perhaps against his will, immediately implying some
pressure with this audition. Yes, it's theatrical, but it's economic, which is important when every
frame counts. The i rst and last shots of i lms usually set the tone and stay in the mind. My
i lms start not with credits but with some sort of signii cant revealing of the major character,
usually through lighting. This confuses most projectionists, who tend to miss a few seconds,
and every second counts. I am always keen to ease the audience into the i lm, much in the way
that most experiences in the cinema or theatre begin with a moment of darkness. It's a way of
crossing from the reality of sitting in the seat to the fake world on screen. That moment, usually
a few seconds after 7.30, is the most exciting I know. It always has been. I get comfortable and
challenge the piece to entertain me and let me in.
Against black, lights reveal Shakespeare in a frozen pose. Slowly he animates a bit at a time.
In Screen Play , the Recitor is introduced onto an empty stage, coming to life of a screen. In
Rigoletto , the Duke rises into an empty frame, wiping his mouth tellingly after another sordid
encounter. In Achilles , the chorus emerges out of the darkness. In Gilbert and Sullivan , an
illuminating moonbeam i nds Carte asleep in bed, disturbing him. In Hamilton Mattress , the
rising sun reveals the characters. In all the episodes of Rupert Bear , Rupert emerges out of a door.
A sunrise, always a strong beginning, from Hamilton Mattress .
Even topics have a few pages of information in which to draw in the audience.
An overture settles an audience into a musical evening, a convention telling the
audience to come on the journey. In short animated i lms we don't have the luxury
of long establishing shots, but we still need to orientate the audience as soon as
possible. All major characters benei t from a build-up and a good introduction, an