Stop Motion Production
Frame-by-frame animation for your New Zealand production.
Stop-motion animation creates the illusion of movement by photographing physical puppets or objects frame by frame, with tiny adjustments between exposures. New Zealand has one of the world's strongest practical craft communities, anchored by Weta Workshop and Weta FX in Wellington, with feature, commercial, and short-form animation work supported by a globally recognized fabrication and miniatures tradition.
We connect you with stop-motion specialists, puppet fabricators, and stage facilities across New Zealand. Our team coordinates sound stages at Stone Street Studios and Avalon in Wellington and Auckland Film Studios, Dragonframe-equipped capture rigs, and experienced animators, drawing on the same talent pool behind productions backed by the NZ Film Commission and the NZSPG incentive.
Capabilities
Stop Motion Services
Complete stop motion animation from concept to final delivery.
01
Animation Types
- Puppet animation
- Claymation
- Object animation
- Cut-out animation
- Mixed media
All Techniques
02
Production
- Set construction
- Puppet fabrication
- Rigging systems
- Motion control
- Capture software
Full Service
03
Technical
- Dragonframe capture
- Consistent lighting
- Focus control
- Camera motion
- Miniature effects
Expert Setup
04
Creative
- Character design
- Set design
- Storyboarding
- Animation direction
- Post-production
End-to-End
Handcrafted Animation
Capabilities
Our Process
Pre-Production
Storyboarding, character design, and planning the technical approach for your animation.
Fabrication
Building puppets, sets, and props with the craftsmanship stop motion requires.
Animation
Frame-by-frame capture with professional animators bringing characters to life.
Post-Production
Compositing, rig removal, color grading, and sound design for the final piece.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What stop motion techniques do you offer in New Zealand?
We offer all major stop motion techniques including puppet animation with armature-based characters, claymation, object animation, and mixed media approaches. New Zealand fabricators bring world-class craft from Wellington's practical effects and miniatures heritage.
Can you build puppets and sets locally?
Yes, we work with skilled New Zealand fabricators who build professional stop motion puppets with metal armatures, silicone or foam bodies, and replacement faces. Sets are built to scale with the same craftsmanship behind Weta Workshop and the country's feature and commercial sector.
What resolution can you capture?
We capture at 4K and above using high-resolution Canon or Sony mirrorless stills cameras with Dragonframe software. This gives you broadcast-grade detail for any New Zealand or international delivery format.
How long does stop motion production take?
Stop motion is time-intensive—typically 1-5 seconds of finished animation per day depending on complexity. A 30-second commercial might take several weeks of animation, plus pre-production and post.
Can you do motion control for stop motion?
Yes, we can integrate motion control rigs for camera movement, allowing smooth dollies, pans, and crane moves while maintaining frame-by-frame animation. This creates dynamic shots impossible with static cameras.
What about post-production for stop motion?
Post-production includes rig removal, compositing, and color grading at Wellington facilities including Weta FX and Park Road Post, whose Oscar-winning teams finish Avatar- and Lord of the Rings-grade work and deliver any VFX enhancement needed.
Planning Stop Motion?
Tell us about your animation project and we'll bring your vision to life frame by frame.