Dakota Fanning provides the voice of the title character in 'Coraline,' a dazzling 3D stop-motion animated film that's entirely comprised of handmade scenes and effects. Although you can watch the 'Coraline' trailer above, what's perhaps more interesting than the film itself is how it was made.
In the age of CGI and digital imaging, we're accustomed to seeing movies enhanced with high-powered computer software. Dakota Fanning wasn't even born yet when stop-motion film shorts made the old fashioned way like 'Wallace and Gromit' first came out. For 'Coraline,' the crew made 150 handmade sets, 250 jointed puppets, and a bevy of plants and toys outfitted with moving parts.
The gallery above features some of the highlights of the 'Coraline' set. According to Wired, the hair of Dakota Fanning's character was arranged by hand, and is comprised of wire, synthetic hair, drugstore styling gel, and blue paint. In the second image, you can see a crew member working on one of the quarter-million pieces of popcorn that were transformed into cherry blossoms.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Handmade Movie Effects
- The use of handmade effects in movies can create unique and visually stunning films that stand out from those using CGI.
- Stop-motion Animation
- Stop-motion animation can be used to create detailed and realistic movements in puppets and models that cannot be replicated in CGI.
- Revival of Traditional Film Techniques
- The resurgence of traditional film techniques such as stop-motion animation can create a nostalgic appeal for audiences looking for something different from mainstream cinema.
Sectors Adopting This
- Movie Production
- Movie production companies can explore using traditional film techniques to create unique movies that stand out from those using CGI.
- Animation
- Animation studios can use stop-motion animation to create realistic movements in puppets and models for their films.
- Crafts and DIY
- The use of handmade effects in movies can inspire a renaissance in crafts and DIY industries as people seek to replicate the handmade effects seen in movies.
