Though it may take over 1,000 photos (or frames) to produce a single minute of footage, there’s something special about the painstaking process and artful technique that goes into stop motion animation. Maybe it’s just nostalgia, or the hours of Gumby we grew up watching. Regardless of the reasons behind our fascination with this antiquated medium, we are pleased to announce that Atelier will be hosting a three-day workshop from Apr 29 – May 1 (10am-4pm), to guide students in the process of making a short animation of their own.

This is a great chance for your budding little film director to learn the fundamentals of animation by watching examples, making a flip book with photographs, learning the essential elements of storytelling, sculpting colorful characters, and designing a set. Many of the techniques that will be covered can also be applied to other aspects of the filmmaking process.

The workshop was organized by Liu Yaonan, a graduate of Beijing Normal University, who studied art and film in France at the Fine Arts School of Avignon, and has since worked as a screenwriter for films and TV. Liu will be your guide into this wonderful world of stop motion animation, and before you know it you’ll be on your way to making a Nightmare Before Christmas or Fantastic Mr. Fox of your own.

Contact Atelier to sign up, but be aware that space is limited to six people (aged eight years and up), and the course will take place at their Sanlitun location. The price of the class is RMB 2,600, or RMB 2,200 for Atelier students. Check out their event listing here for details, or get over to their website to sign up today, and introduce your little ones to the magic of filmmaking with this great three-day workshop.

Photos: courtesy of Atelier, dailymotion.com