Claymation Character
Ideas
Clay stop action animation, or claymation, is a classic format that has been used in a variety of television and film productions. It is also one of the best ways to learn the art of film making. Ideas for claymation characters are all around you every day, from the people you meet to the food you eat. Creating characters for claymation is similar to creating any fictional character.
Finding Characters
Human characters such as Wallace of Wallace and Gromit are some of the best-loved claymation characters of all time.
People you know can make great characters. Choose a few who make you laugh. It may be their personal appearance or exaggerated sense of style. Whatever it is, write down what it is about them that makes you laugh. Exaggerate it and do a few sketches to make a clay model from.
Every character needs a job. Use stereotypes, such as police officers and school teachers. Or go for the bizarre and obscure, such as ostrich farmer.
Creating characters in pairs is a great way to lay a foundation for good story material. Hollywood has used the funnyman/straight man duo for years. Physical opposites can be effective as well. A version of this is the tall skinny guy who is very serious, and his short stout friend who never takes anything seriously.
Choosing a Style
Claymation has been done to great effect in a variety of styles from very simple to lifelike detail. Mr. Bill was a Saturday Night Live staple for years, stylistically simple yet effective. Wallace and Gromit on the other hand is set in a believable environment complete with stamps on the postcards.
Choose a style and stick to it. Create all of your characters, settings and props to the same level of detail. A consistent production value will serve to give your claymation a cohesive feel.
Try modeling all of your characters with one exaggerated feature, such as Charles Schultz's characters large heads. Not only can it be a source of visual comedy but it will establish a "look" that your viewers will recognize.
Too costume, or not to costume, that is a good question. Simple works well, Gumby, for example has been a claymation icon for years with only buttons for a costume. Costumes can identify a character with a quick glance. A uniform, such as a policeman's or nurse's, can add detail to a character, and help set your scene.
Environment
A setting can provide a framework for character creation. Every workplace and community gathering place has its own unique set of characters.
A story set in a playground requires kids. Every group of kids has a brain, a bully, and a mastermind. Add a crazy old man who feeds random bits of hardware to the squirrels and you have the recipe for a fun claymation project.
Outer space is another setting with its own cast of characters. You have the space cowboy, tough and ready for anything. Then there's the company man who always plays by the rules. Or a newbie who doesn't really belong, but won his spot on the team with his technical skills.
