Stop Motion: Passion, Process and Performance

 

 

Using the Body

 

 

Silent comedy and mime

Any animator can learn from the silent comedians. It's these great physical performers with whom I have most empathy, through their use of body language and mime and the all too real tricks and stunts. My personal favourite is Buster Keaton. With his lack of expression, the totally flexible body and the pushing of his physicality, it is easy to see parallels with what we do with puppets. A favourite sequence is in The Playhouse, where he plays all members of the orchestra, the people in the boxes, and then a complete minstrel show, all beautifully in sync with each other, with no suggestion of ...