Day 9 - Coraline

Tim Burton and Henry Selick are two of my favorite stop-motion animators because of their dark and twisted styles. They both have amazing imaginations, as well as talent, that is clearly demonstrated in their exquisitely detailed characters, sets, and stories. I adore Henry Selick's Coraline (2009) because of these exact qualities.

Maureen Furniss's Art in Motion states that sets for stop-motion can be designed in different ways and within a vast range of realism or stylization. In this film, the sets and every object shown are handcrafted by the animators; this creates a miniaturized 'film world' within a physical and real space. Hundreds of people worked on this film to give indescribable details to each and every tree, rock, and kitchenware built in miniature form.

According to IMDb.com, Coraline's facial expressions were created using a new technology where a computer could be used to mold an expression that could then be hand-painted by the crew. This technology allowed for facial transitions that are realistic and smooth. Because this is one of the longest stop-motion films to date and it was made to be viewed in 3-D, Coraline took over three years to make. Audiences don't usually realize the amount of hard work and effort that goes into a production like this, but the animators' hard work paid off with a beautiful end product that millions will love for years to come.