Stop-motion Animation

About this class

This course is a hands-on exploration of the art and craft of stop-motion animation. Students will learn how to bring inanimate objects, puppets, and clay figures to life frame by frame, discovering the magic of motion through practical exercises and creative projects.

What We’ll Cover:

• Fundamentals of stop-motion animation, including timing, spacing, and frame rate.
• Lighting, camera setup, and composition for stop-motion shoots.
• Professional animation software such as Dragonframe for frame capture and editing.
• Introduction to post-production workflows, including compositing and sound design.

Skills You Will Develop:

• Strong understanding of animation principles (anticipation, squash and stretch, follow-through).
• Ability to plan, animate, and edit a complete stop-motion short.
• Crafting visually compelling scenes through camera work and lighting.
• Problem-solving and creative thinking skills essential for animators.

Why Join This Class?

• Stop-motion animation is a unique and rewarding way to tell stories. By joining this class, students will gain hands-on experience with professional tools and techniques, build a portfolio-ready animation project, and develop both artistic and technical skills that can be applied to film, television, advertising, and digital content creation. Whether you’re an aspiring animator, filmmaker, or simply someone who loves crafting and storytelling, this course will help you bring your imagination to life—one frame at a time.

This program is offered to participants 16+.

Class Outline

Week 1 – Introduction to Stop Motion & Basics

• Overview of stop-motion animation history & styles (Claymation, puppet, object, cut-out and under- camera animation).
• Screening of notable stop-motion examples.
• Understanding frame rates and persistence of vision.
• Basic equipment overview (cameras, tripods, lights, software).
• Activity: Simple exercise – animate a ball bounce with found objects.

Week 2 – Principles of Animation in Stop Motion

• The principles of animation (focus on timing, spacing, squash/stretch).
• Keyframes vs. in-betweens in stop-motion.
• Planning a shot with a simple storyboard.
• Activity: Animate a character or object (adding personality).

Week 3 – Storytelling & Idea Development

• Short-form storytelling for stop-motion.
• Developing characters and visual narratives.
• Introduction to storyboarding & animatics.
• Activity: Create a short storyboard for a stop-motion scene.

Week 4 – Character & Set Design

• Using simple materials like clay, paper, and cardboard to create characters.
• Basics of building small sets and backgrounds.
• Exploring colors and lighting to create mood.
• Activity: Create a simple character using paper or clay.

Week 5 – Camera & Lighting Techniques

• Camera setup and framing (shot composition, angles).
• Lighting for stop-motion (3-point lighting, soft shadows).
• Understanding flicker and how to avoid it.
• Activity: Lighting exercise with a character and small set.

Week 6 – Animation Production Workflow

• Shooting in Dragonframe or Stop Motion Studio.
• Onion-skinning & frame referencing.
• Shooting a simple 5–10 second animation.
• Activity: Animate a character interacting with a prop.

Week 7 – Post-Production & VFX

• Importing frames into editing software (Premiere/After Effects).
• Basic cleanup (removing rigs, color correction).
• Adding sound and simple visual effects.
• Activity: Edit a short sequence with sound effects.

Week 8 – Final Project & Screening (3 hours – This final class will be from 5:00-8:00pm instead of regular time of 5:00-7:00pm)

• Final shoot and editing time.
• Group critique and discussion of projects.
• Industry tips: portfolio building, festivals, and social media sharing.
• Activity: Screen all student animations.

Materials needed

Please note: VCUarts Qatar reserves the right to cancel classes for which not enough participants are registered. Already paid fees will be refunded.

Please do not purchase materials until VCUarts Qatar has sent final course confirmation.

Items to needed for this class

• Camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone with tripod mount)
• Tripod or stable camera stand
• Lighting setup (desk lamps or LED lights with diffusers)
• Stop-motion software (Dragonframe, Stop Motion Studio, or similar)
• Computer with editing software (Premiere Pro, After Effects, or free alternatives)
• Basic art supplies: clay/plasticine, cardboard, paper, fabric
• BYOO (Allow students to bring in their own materials or objects that they would like to animate with)

On occasions, there may be some more materials to be bought and brought in if and when advised by the instructor.

Schedule

Start: Wed, Oct 8, 2025
End: Wed, Nov 26, 2025
Lessons: 8
Days: Wednesdays
Time: 5:00 -7:00pm
Location: VCUarts Qatar Campus
Cost: QAR 1000

Instructors

Abdellah Kafile

Abdellah Kafile is an award-winning Stop-Motion Animator and VFX Artist whose work combines the tactile charm of traditional animation with cutting-edge visual effects. A graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Animation from Concordia University’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, Abdellah has cultivated a deep expertise in the art of handcrafted storytelling, from character design and set-building to meticulous frame-by-frame animation.

Passionate about the physicality and authenticity of stop-motion, Abdellah’s work reflects a unique blend of craftsmanship and innovation. His films explore emotion and narrative depth, brought to life through detailed puppet fabrication, practical lighting, and compositing techniques that merge seamlessly with digital tools. Abdellah is proficient in Dragonframe, Cinema 4D, and Adobe Creative Suite, enabling him to integrate stop-motion footage with high-quality VFX and post-production enhancements. His short film, The Eulogy (2023), is a testament to his storytelling vision, earning the Best Animation International award at the Alternate Film Festival in Toronto and being showcased at Les Sommets du Cinéma d’Animation and the Concordia Film Festival. Beyond independent filmmaking, Abdellah brings his stop-motion expertise to commercial and digital content creation. He has worked on promotional videos, social media campaigns, and brand identity design, collaborating with high-profile digital creators such as Peter Chao and David Brown. His diverse background in video production, VFX, and motion graphics allows him to deliver captivating visual
experiences that stand out across platforms.

Known for his adaptability, collaborative mindset, and meticulous attention to detail, Abdellah continues to push the boundaries of stop-motion animation. Whether through personal projects or professional collaborations, he remains dedicated to crafting visual stories that combine traditional artistry with modern digital techniques, leaving a lasting impact on audiences