Puppetry, Puppet Animation and the Digital Age

Others still acknowledge not only the craftsmanship but the uniqueness of stop-frame dimensional animation that is way beyond the standardization of CGI.

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Rolf Giesen’s Puppetry, Puppet Animation and the Digital Age explores the unique world of puppetry animation and its application in the digital age. With the advent of digital animation, many individuals see puppetry and 2D animation as being regulated to a niche market. Giesen’s text argues against this viewpoint, by demonstrating the pure aesthetic value they have, as well as examples of some of the greatest cinematic uses of puppets. Such samples include, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, Ladislas Starevich, O’Brien, Harryhausen and Danforth, Trnka and Švankmajer, Aardman and Laika Studios, ParaNorman, and the Boxtrolls. Even live-action blockbusters, such as the Star Wars saga utilize puppetry for costume applications as noted within the text. The use of puppets not only helps create a wonderous world and memorable characters, but is also one of the purest extensions of an artist.

Key Features

Includes interviews with past and present practitioners of model animation as well as computer animation
Reviews of classic and recent entries in both fields
Comparison of what is better in stop motion versus computer animation
A detailed history of animation and stop motion films