© 2024 Wyoming Public Media
800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240
Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of Wyoming
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Transmission & Streaming Disruptions

Archives On The Air 209: The Magic Of Stop Motion Animation—Samuel Peeples Papers

American Heritage Center

King Kong first appeared on movie screens in 1933. Audiences were amazed at the lifelike movement of the film's prehistoric creatures.


It was done with advanced special effects of the day: stop-motion animation.

How is it done? A camera is pointed at the object. A frame of film is exposed, and the camera stops. The object, usually a model miniature, is adjusted. Another frame of film is exposed. The object is adjusted again.

After 24 times, one second of film is produced. When all the frames are played back at the normal speed of 24 frames per second the object appears to move.

Tedious, yes. But the results are fluid and realistic motion. Forms of stop motion animation are still used today.

You can see a model miniature from King Kong at UW's American Heritage Center.

Credit American Heritage Center
Advertising poster for the 1933 film King Kong. Box 111 Forrest J. Ackerman papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming. The special effects artist in the film, Willis O'Brien, pioneered stop-action animation. He was known for creating complex articulated armatures covered with rubber skins that resulted in lifelike prehistoric creatures for the movie.