•What does the Director do in a production?

•Will I need a qualification?

•What’s the best route in to the role?

•What does the Producer do in a production?

•Will I need a qualification?

•What’s the best route in to the role?

•What does the Camera Operator do in a production?

•Will I need a qualification?

•What’s the best route in to the role?

•What does the Editor do in a production?

•Will I need a qualification?

•What’s the best route in to the role?

Stop Motion Animators bring models or puppets to life, animating them one frame at a time to create a performance and provide the action outlined in the storyboard.

They follow a brief from a Director, Animation Director/Supervisor or Studio Director, and may also refer to established characterisation developed by a Director or Key/Senior Animator.

Stop Motion, also called Stop Frame, describes animation that is created by moving models, puppets or any three-dimensional objects frame-by-frame in front of a camera to create the illusion of movement. Other terms used are Model or Puppet Animation, Table Top or 3D, although nowadays 3D usually applies to computer animation.

In character animation, Animators could be ‘cast’ like actors, for their particular talents, such as comedy, dialogue, action, charm, simplicity; or their ability to animate certain types of character; or for their skill at animating inanimate objects. However, they should also be all-rounders with the ability to replicate the animation style that the Senior Animator has set for each particular character.

Depending on the size of the production, they may be involved with pre-production and are likely to collaborate with Model Makers and Riggers to ensure that the models or puppets are prepared for the action that is required.

On smaller productions, they may work alone. On larger projects they may be one of a team and supported by an Assistant Animator. They can be responsible for supervising the work of more junior animators.

To become a Stop Motion Animator, it will generally help you to have a degree in animation, fine art, sculpture, graphics, illustration, or another related subject.

If you are considering taking an animation or art and design/graphics course in higher education, the following courses have been rigorously assessed by the industry and awarded the Creative Skillset Tick for the high standard of education they provide and the degree to which they prepare you for a creative career:

Animation courses awarded the Creative Skillset Tick

Art and design/CGI/graphics courses awarded the Creative Skillset Tick

Your showreel will need to demonstrate your talent in order to set you apart. The more experience you can gain in a range of stop motion techniques, the more employable you will be. Some studios also want to see evidence of good life drawing. Directors and Producers will be looking for you to have proven ability to develop characters and produce good performances.

To become a Stop Motion Animator, you will need to work your way up from the position of Assistant or Junior Animator. It is very rare that you would be able to gain a job as an Animator straight after graduating.

You could apply to be an Animation Trainee through Trainee Finder, which gives you hands-on experience in the industry and helps you build those all-important contacts that are essential when competing for a job: