May 24

The first set is 80% built for the stop-motion music video I’m doing for the band Cars & Trucks. This residential set will feature about a dozen cardstock houses, very simplistic and childlike in design. The majority of action will be accomplished by camera moves and the movement of Matchbox style toy vehicles.

I will post photos of the set under construction soon. Right now I’m debating on how to dress the backgrounds of the set. Blue sheet on the wall? Shoot on green screen stage?

May 17

Shot a quick test today to evaluate iStopMotion software from Boinx for use shooting a music video in June. Set up the following gear on the coffee table in the living room:

The only trick here was to make sure the HV20 was in DV mode. iStopMotion (as well as iChat) won’t recognize cameras running in HDV mode.

I kept the camera in a fixed position, adjusting focus manually as I moved the elements across the frame. I moved the LED light in a small arc as the CD cover became the focal point. These little LED lights seem like they’ll be pretty handy for stop motion animation work.

Next test will be with my RNG35 adapter with my 50mm/1.8 lens. Stay tuned.