Screen shot from “Liberty and Justice” animation
In this new year, I thought it would be a good time to bring you up to date on the stop-motion animation my husband Rob and I have been working on for most of 2017. I introduced the project a while back in this blog post. Yes, we’re still inching ahead, spending every spare hour filming in the basement. We’ve recorded 8 minutes of a 10 to 12 minute video and hope to have the filming part finished later this winter. Then, there’s the soundtrack, which is especially important for a wordless story like ours. For that, we’re commissioning an original score and sound effects from musicians and sound artists.
The movie, Liberty and Justice, a political take-off of Hansel and Gretel, is a cautionary tale about what happens when a pair of lost citizens wander in search of a leader. So, when will it be finished? Honestly, we don’t know, but we’re estimating that it’ll be ready to show sometime in the summer of 2018. Don’t worry, I will announce any particulars about where it can be seen, once it’s completed.
UPDATE: The 13 min. movie can be viewed and readily shared on YouTube here.
To give an idea of our process, here’s a video made up of several filming sessions from last summer. Rob set up a separate camera to take time-lapse photos while we worked in the basement. It looks funny to see our actions sped up into hyper mode, when in reality our movements are painstakingly slow and deliberate. I’m animating figures, using wire rigs anchored to black blocks, which are visible to you behind the set. The monitor near where I’m sitting shows the camera view, so I can check how the scene looks on screen. You can barely see Rob with his magnifying headset behind the camera slider, as he turns on a flash light to see the measurement for each photo.
Keeping in mind that this post could be a spoiler, I’ve selected a group of still photos that don’t give away too much of the good parts. You will surely pick up on some of the themes, though. Most images show our animation stage during the last month or so. At this point in their journey, the characters (who’ve just been through a lot of challenges) enter a kind of candy land.
It was so much fun setting up the scenes, which had to be adjusted according to the camera angle and movements of each shot. How do you make water for animation stage? Shiny blue fabric, jumbo glitter and mini LED lights, of course. It looks so cool when the swans move along!
When starting the filming process all those months ago, we knew that stop-motion animation takes a long time. And we’ve since learned that it requires many forms of patience. Not only do we need the capacity to deal with all the fussy parts pertaining to animation, we have to be patient with each other. This is the first large joint artistic/technical venture we’ve undertaken in almost 40 years together. Even though we’re used to working solo most of the time, working side by side has been an overall positive experience. We’re both meticulous workers and neither of us has a problem concentrating for long stretches of time. It’s not unusual to spend a 5 hr. stretch filming a 12 second scene. At 24 frames per sec., that’s 288 photographs, each taken separately, with camera motion and moving up to a dozen figures and props in between shots. Crazy? Yes, but it’s all worth it when you play back the movie and see the characters come to life!
I got carried away making props – searching for jelly beans, gum drops and small scale sugary treats to decorate with. As a rule, I don’t use hot glue because it’s messy and stringy, but in this case it was an effective solution. I like how actual candy with sparkling sugar crystals adds a realness to the fantasy world.
I lopped off the stems of mini sugar canes with a knife, saving the curved ends to build a border wall. Handling all of this sticky candy was so unappetizing that it felt toxic, like working in a sugar Super Fund site.
So far, no little critters have come out at night to nibble the edible set. This little campaign motorcade zooms along in the movie. I’m looking forward to hearing the sound effects!
It was a relief to get back to needle and thread for this sheep character.
He joined the brown and rainbow sheep for a cameo scene. I manipulated their heads, ears and tails during the filming process.
While doing the animation, I refer to a monitor (top, center) that projects the camera view. It’s tricky to move the bodies in small enough increments to make their movement look natural.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who take an interest in my work and read this blog, whether you’ve followed for years or just subscribed. Your support means a lot to me and it is an honor to connect with you and the world outside of my studio!
To keep up with new posts, subscribe to this blog (top right column on the home page). If you’d like to see more frequent photos tracking the projects in my studio, please follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.
SALLEY MAVOR 
This is mind-bogglingly amazing! I love what you create and can’t wait to see the finished product! Happy New Year…
It truly is a labor of love, not to mention a work of art! You are fascinating to follow on this amazing journey and I cannot wait for the final outcome.
Happy new year Salley and Rob! This film plan is amazing. The work looks truly miraculous! I love stop motion film. It delights me and Jim to know that you and Rob are working together! And I always love your posts. We do not create in the same world, but our lives in Omaha are defined by volunteering and our own creative endeavors for which retirement has provided more time. We had a lovely visit here with Molly Bang and Jim. Before his last medical crisis, which we are so glad he has survived. In any event, all best to you and Rob and your family!
Thank you so much for your work Salley. I am just fascinated and love seeing the updates.
I hope you have a Happy New Year with your
Family and in your work !!!
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful work with us . Such painstaking work is beyond belief. Thank you both so much . A very happy new year to you . All my very best wishes. Jane W . Uk
Wow! So very cool! And inspirational :).
Thanks Salley and Rob – Meghan
Magnificent! You are a master.
Wow, so amazing, I loved the comment about the sugar Super Fund site. I can’t wait to see the finished work. Back in the 70’s I did some experimenting with “claymation” filming. I know how patient and dedicated you need to be to accomplish this.
Fantastic! I so look forward to the finished project but it’s so interesting and fun to see the work progress. Thank you!!
Fascinating! Can’t wait for the premiere!
You are both “outta site” and have this oldie’s total respect! : )
Love the commentary on how making this video works. I hope I will be able to watch it somehow! I would pay!
Dear Salley, Your work is uplifting – a balm to the spirit of hope! It also does our hearts good to laugh, and you and Rob provide this in abundance! Bless your hearts for your perseverance and dedication to bringing some light to our lives!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Your fan from the Left Coast in Corvallis, Oregon
I can’t wait to see the finished film. Such a lot of work! happy 2018!
A – MA – ZING !!!! to see aaaaallll that work on the stop-motion ….. !!!
LOVE the sheep !
Looking forward to another year of this wonderful work of you !!!
All the best for you (and loved ones) for 2018 !
Salley & Rob: The “spoiler” shows a wondrous form of artistic insanity that is necessary to achieve the desired and anxiously awaited production.
This is inspiring! Thank you for sharing your talents.
Best of wishes to all for a happy and healthy new year.
Wow, anticipation builds
Wow, anticipation builds
Such a huge amount of work. Highly anticipating the finished product. It’s so inspiring knowing your dedication telling your story in a way that is real.
You are both spreading so much inspiration and love for creative work. My heartfelt thanks for your labor of love.
Aching to see the movie. Love the music!
The look of this new chapter is beautiful . Will gladly wait with anticipation.
Wow!! amazing! I can’t wait to see the finished product!!
What can I add? You both are so talented and imaginative. You bring joy and a smile into our lives. I hope you can share the finished project with the whole world.
Just going to add to the chorus of eager, excited fans! What an inspiring way to combine both of your skills and take them in new-yet-building-on-all-your-expertise direction!
The new Syracuse Cultural Workers calendar has a great quote on the month of January: “[I] believe in the power of art. And that’s mostly all. But good news is I find it everywhere.”–Vanessa German. I love this quote and feel like your work is one of those places that let me know hope is alive and well!
Thank you Sally and Rob for your gift of art. It feeds our souls.
A truly magnificent labor of love!