Dot, Star of the World’s Smallest Stop-Motion Video, was captured using a Nokia N8 smartphone and a CellScope (a cellphone camera with a 50x magnification microscope).
Animators at the UK studio Aardman used a 3D printer to make 50 different versions of Dot, because she is too small to manipulate or bend like they would other stop-motion animation characters. Watch the movie after the jump.
Directors Ed Patterson and Will Studd attached a CellScope to a Nokia N8 12-megapixel camera to capture Dot’s adventures. The CellScope device is the creation of Daniel Fletcher, a bioengineer at the University of California-Berkeley.
The Technology Behind the Magic
The CellScope is an innovative device that transforms a standard smartphone camera into a powerful microscope. Originally designed for medical diagnostics in remote areas, the CellScope allows for high-resolution imaging at a microscopic level. By attaching this device to the Nokia N8, the directors were able to capture incredibly detailed footage of Dot, who stands at just 9mm tall. This combination of cutting-edge technology and creative ingenuity made it possible to produce the world’s smallest stop-motion animation.
The Nokia N8, known for its impressive 12-megapixel camera, provided the perfect platform for this project. Its high-resolution sensor and advanced optics ensured that every tiny detail of Dot’s world was captured with stunning clarity. The use of a smartphone also highlights the accessibility of modern technology, demonstrating that even complex projects can be undertaken with relatively simple tools.
The Creative Process
Creating Dot’s miniature world was no small feat. The animators at Aardman, known for their work on beloved films like “Wallace and Gromit” and “Shaun the Sheep,” brought their expertise to this unique project. Given Dot’s minuscule size, traditional stop-motion techniques were impractical. Instead, the team used a 3D printer to produce 50 different versions of Dot, each in a slightly different pose. This allowed them to animate her movements frame by frame without the need for manual manipulation.
The 3D printing process itself is a marvel of modern engineering. Each version of Dot was meticulously designed and printed with incredible precision. This approach not only facilitated the animation process but also ensured consistency in Dot’s appearance throughout the film. The result is a seamless and captivating animation that brings Dot’s tiny adventures to life.
Watch the making of the World’s Smallest Stop-Motion Video in the movie below:
Via Gizmodo
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