Dynamation

Dynamation is the name of the technique conceived by Ray Harryhausen used to combine stop-motion footage with live action by means of split-screen and rear-projection.

Process

Normally, a model would be placed in front of a rear-projection screen with a previously filmed live-action plate and animated to interact with another model, the environment on the screen, or a live-action character. The positioning of the model and animation table was fairly precise to ensure that the model both scaled correctly and appeared to interact with its 'environment' in a physically realistic manner.

A piece of matte glass between the camera and the screen would be painted black to obscure the animation table so that it would not be exposed and show up on film. The black portion of the matte glass would be inverted so the previously transparent parts would be black while the formerly black parts would be transparent. The unexposed part would be re-shot so the final print will be complete.

Matting was also used if a model needed to appear to pass behind an object in the live action plate. The matte glass was painted so the foreground object was obscured during the animation. The paint scheme on the glass was inverted and the foreground object was photographed in the next exposure. (See Split Screen)

The end result would look as if the model was in the same space as the elements in the plate footage. If done precisely, the models could be animated to make contact and even fight with human characters. A notable example is the skeleton fight from "Jason and the Argonauts".

External links

* [http://www.unmuseum.org/dyna.htm Ray Harryhausen's Dynamation Explained]