How To Make a Stop-Motion Video [Windows, Mac, App]

Have you ever watched behind-the-scenes footage of a stop-motion feature film and thought it looked almost impossible to pull off? Animators used to work for years on these projects with pain-staking precision and patience.
Today it has become easier than ever to create your very own stop-motion masterpiece. In this article, you will learn valuable tips for making stop-motion videos, from prep to shooting and editing.
- What Is Stop-Motion?
- How to Make a Stop-Motion Video?
- How to Make Stop-Motion Videos Better with Editing Apps?
- Stop-Motion Video Editor Free Download
- Stop-Motion Animation FAQs
What Is Stop-Motion?
Stop-Motion is an animation technique where inanimate objects appear to come to life through a series of still photos. Objects in the frame are subtly moved between every shot, and when strung together, they seem to move on their own.
Stop-Motion animation used to be found primarily in children’s films such as Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Wallace & Gromit, and Christmas Claymation movies like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. However, in recent years stop-motion has grown in popularity and has been used for everything from marketing campaigns to tutorials.
Stop-Motion animation does not require any prior experience, is free to create, and is fun for adults and kids.
How to Make a Stop-Motion Video?
How to Prepare for a Stop-Motion Shoot?
The set-up is the most essential part of any stop-motion shoot. The better the set-up, the less work you will have to do editing the video afterward.
Step 1: Decide what to shoot and then make or gather your characters and backgrounds.
Step 2: Decide how long you want your completed video to be and how many shots you need to make that happen. This is important to do ahead of time, so you know how long it will take to make your video and help manage your expectations of the finished product.
Step 3: Storyboard or make notes of the different shots you need. Then test the movements of your objects to make sure they can handle your vision.
Step 4: Make sure your phone or DSLR camera is fully charged, plugged in, and has enough storage space to take hundreds of pictures.
Try not to set up near a window or rely on natural light, as the shadows and lighting will change during the day.
If you don’t have a remote camera trigger or intervalometer, test hitting the shutter button and ensure your camera rigging is secure.
Step 7: If using a DSLR camera, change all settings from auto to manual, so they don’t change during the photoshoot, such as white balance or crop sensors.
Step 8: Take a few test pictures to ensure the framing is perfect.

How to Shoot Stop-Motion?
Now that you're set up, it’s time to start shooting. Remember to stay relaxed and have fun. This can be a long process, but the results will be worth it.
Step 1: Set the intervalometer setting on your camera or stop-motion app, allowing enough time for you to change the position of your characters/objects in between each shot.
You can skip this step if you plan to use a remote trigger or push the shutter button yourself.
Step 2: Take a photo of your initial scene.
Think about how the object moves typically. For instance, if you made a person out of clay, simulate how a person walks by swinging the arms with each step or changing facial expressions.
Try not to move the background or bump anything else in the shot while moving your characters.
Do this as long as it takes for your video to be done. If you figure out frames per second ahead of time, you will know how many shots to take for the preferred length of your video.
What to Do Before Starting to Edit Stop-Motion Video?
After shooting, you will need to use a video editing software or app. For this, we recommend PowerDirector. It’s free to download and an incredibly easy video editor to use. In addition, it’s available on both mobile devices and computers.
Make sure your footage is organized all in one place. For example, make a dedicated album if it is on your phone.
If you plan to edit on your computer, import all your images, then put them in a single folder or separate folders for each scene.
How to Edit Stop-Motion on iOS and Android?
Here’s how to edit a stop-motion video on your iPhone or Android device using the PowerDirector app:
Step 1: Open the PowerDirector app and hit New Project.
Step 2: Name the project and choose the aspect ratio.
Add each photo in the correct order by clicking on the plus sign in the middle of the image.
Step 4: Tap on the clip on the timeline to highlight the photo and tap the Pencil icon.