"It shares experiences, holds more information about the medium than any book i've encountered so far, and all it really does is make me a better animator."

Stop Motion - Passion, Process and Performance

Focal Press, 2008

Be inspired by award-winning animator Barry Purves' honest insight into the creative process of making stop motion animations, using his own classic films to illustrate every step along the way. With Barry's enthusiasm for puppets in all their many guises and in-depth interviews from some of the world's other leading practitioners, there is advice, inspiration and entertainment galore in Stop Motion: Passion, Process and Performance.

And there's more! Many of the artists and craftsmen interviewed have contributed their own specially drawn illustrations - showing their inspirations, heroes and passion for their craft. These beautiful images help make the book a truly personal journey into the heart of the animation industry with broad appeal for anyone with a love of animation.

Discover the potential of puppets and models with personal insight from some of the world's most experienced stop motion animators.
Get advice on everything from the initial concept, to scriptwriting and costume through to directing, animating and postproduction.
Go behind the scenes with beautiful colour illustrations and production shots that bring the process to life.

"In each of his key short films, Barry Purves takes animation into a new area of high culture"

Barry Purves - His Intimate Lives

DVD, Potemkine, 2008
Six animation films, 1989--2001, bonus material, 80 page booklet

DVD contents:

Next (1989 - 5 min)
Screen Play (1992 - 11 min)
Rigoletto (1993 - 30 min)
Achilles (1995 - 11 min)
Gilbert & Sullivan, The Very Models (1998 - 16 min)
Hamilton Mattress (2001 - 30 min)

Bonus Material

A conversation between Barry and Michel Ocelot at the Ranelagh Theatre (27 min)
An introduction to the films by Barry (10 min)
Subtitles revealing the literary and musical references in Next and Gilbert & Sullivan
A commercial inspired by Screen Play (2 min)

Booklet

80 illustrated pages, including story boards, director and trivia notes and an essential guide to stop-motion animation.

"This book is the book I have been looking for for the past couple of years. It not only acts as a decent reference book... but it is also incredibly informative and educational and breaks down what is required to make a successful film using this technique."

Basics Animation: Stop Motion

AVA Publishing, April 2010

Barry's latest book teaches the skills required to develop as a creative stop-motion animator or articulated puppet maker. It explores how all the elements of film-making camera work, design, colour, lighting, editing, music and storytelling come together in this unique art form. Students will learn to use and exploit the particular types of movement, characters and stories that characterise stop-motion. The book is packed with tips and suggestions to help you get the most out of your own stopmotion films, accompanied by full-colour illustrations and case studies demonstrating how film-making masters through the years have used it in feature films, short films and TV series. Basics Animation: Stop-motion also examines the evolution of stopmotion, from its almost accidental beginnings to a much-loved form of storytelling in its own right one that continues to push boundaries after 110 years.

Purchase a signed copy direct from the author

Barry's latest book is available direct from this website. Copies ordered here will be personally signed by Barry at no extra cost.

Price £25.00 inclusive of postage

Payment is via Paypal (no account required)