Music video project

“Under Glass” - by Darkswoon

A stop motion animation music video inspired by German Expressionism

ROLES

Concept

Script

Directing

Set Fabrication

Puppet Fabrication

Puppet Styling

Animation

Editing

Animatic

This is the first animatic we put together for our stop motion animation music video. The video will also weave in some live action shots. The animatic is a way to test out our script before we get into the set building and animation phase. This step is very critical and once completed will lead the way forward.

Storyboard

Process clips

First test animation

Building puppet armature

Sculpting the puppet head

Padding the puppet armature

Behind the scenes

Creating a stop motion piece involves a lot of work and attention to detail. Follow along with our process on Instagram

Finishing up our animatic and planning how we will rig for each scene - I just acquired a used iPad Pro, my first one. I have to say I’m surprised how much I like messing around in Procreate. I think in the future I will do all my storyboarding

Finally feeling happy with the head sculpt. Ready for some eyeballs 👀 #stopmotionanimation #stopmotionprocess #stopmotionpuppetmaking #stopmotionanimationpuppets #stopmotionvideo #stopmotionfilm #stopmotionmusicvideo #underglassmusicvideo

Haven’t posted process in a while because I’ve been so busy with the real world 🤪 Time to catch up on what we’ve been working on: Sculpting a tiny likeness out of soft polymer clay. Not an easy feat. I’m trying out different

We finally got the puppet armature right. Just missing the wrists and hands, then it’s time to start sculpting the head and hands. I’m sooo happy that Phil was able to figure out how to alter the armature to actually make it look just lik

Isn’t it beautiful? I found exactly what I needed for one of the sets. Mostly old VW parts. The Habitat Restore provideth again. #stopmotionset #stopmotionsetdesign #stopmotionanimationproject #stopmotionprocess #rustygears #repurposedart #por

Early AM storyboarding sesh - trying to get some work in before my boring day job. I’ve really come to enjoy this time. #storyboard #storyboarding #storyboardart #storyboards #stopmotion #stopmotionanimation #stopmotionprocess #stopmotionprepro

Storyboard - it’s an ongoing process as the script gets revised and scenes get tweaked for the music video. #storyboarding #storyboardart #stopmotionstoryboard #stopmotionprocess #makingofmusicvideo #stopmotionmusicvideo #musicvideoproduction

Puppet Armature - I decided to try a professional articulated armature this time around. It arrived from China in itty bitty pieces with exactly the type of instructions you’d expect. Working my way through this I realized pretty quickly why th

Set building - did some dumpster diving today and found some great structural pieces. We are going for an industrial Art Deco vibe. Only problem will be the weight! I’m open to suggestions 😜 #stopmotionshortfilm #stopmotionset #stopmotionanima

Storyboard - Initial sketches. After talking to our client I made some changes but I still like how these came out. #storyboardart #storyboardsketch #stopmotion #stopmotionanimation #stopmotionanimationprocess #stopmotionart #musicvideoproduction #un

Storyboard - one of my initial sketches. #storyboardart #storyboardsketch #stopmotion #stopmotionanimation #stopmotionanimationprocess #stopmotionart #musicvideoproduction #underglassmusicvideo

Paper puppet - I made this little “Jana action figure” mock-up as a stand in so we can test the scale and position of our set before we start building the actual thing. #darkswoon #stopmotion #stopmotionanimation #paperpuppet #articulate

Our inspiration

The music

Darkswoon

"...fierce electronic prowess and shoegaze-inspired guitar textures. As such, the band channels both the detached chill of early Fever Ray and Eurythmics as well as the churning menace of Modern English...both incredibly powerful and irresistibly catchy at once." -- Frank Deserto, Post-Punk.com

Band website

Meet the team

Jenny Massicotte

CREATIVE DIRECTOR / LEAD ANIMATOR / PUPPET FABRICATION
I grew up in Gelnhausen, Germany and now call Oregon home. I love to explore new mediums and ways to expand my horizon as a maker. I am intrigued by the beauty around us and the power of storytelling. I hope to put work out into the world that is meaningful and connects people.
I am looking for opportunities where I can grow my skills in motion design, stop motion animation and video production. Want to collaborate? Send me an email or DM me.
jennymassicotte.artist@gmail.com
Instagram
YouTube
Nicole Simone

PRODUCER / DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Nicole Simone - Nicole Simone is a Bay Area and Portland-based Photographer and Videographer who is known for her unique storytelling and Art Direction style.
Before undergraduate school, she obtained a Master’s certificate in Make-up Artistry from the Art of Makeup School in Portland Or. Realizing that there was more to learn, Nicole decided to attend the Art Institute of Portland earning her Associates in Graphic Design, then transferred to Portland State University to finish a BFA in Art Practice. Through this journey Nicole rediscovered her passion for photography and found a new love in filmmaking. Utilizing her many creative talents in graphic design, makeup artistry, wardrobe styling, and performance arts, she knew there was an opportunity to make a statement on the world with her art directing style. When Nicole is not behind the camera she enjoys performing on stages for events like the Edwardian Ball and modeling for companies like Dark Garden Unique Corsetry.
Nicole is currently Producing and is Director of Photography for a stop-motion animation music video for a local Portland band Darkswoon which is set to be released in 2023.
www.nicole-simone.com
www.instagram.com/nicolesimone_artist
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-simone
Phil Guzzo

VFX / EDITING / ARMATURE / RIGGING
I'm a father, nerd, writer, film-maker, techno-geek, artist, animator and musician.
I've worked in video production departments, art departments, and local/regional television (Yes making bad car commercials,) as well as national level film, video, animation and VFX. Much of my career in VFX animation and compositing work can be seen in the 90’s television show "The Pj's," and "The Gary and Mike Show," as well as numerous national TV commercials from Will Vinton Studios, Laika and several other high level studios, (I've painted out more render errors on M&M's than I care to count), as well as independent and mainstream films and videos.
When I am not working on my next script, animation or working on the next panel for my graphic novel, or creating music for a soundtrack either imagined or real or soldering resistors into a synthesizer project, or even mentoring volunteer producers with projects at MCM-TV, you can find me relaxing with my family on a hike, bingeing shows on streaming or cooking a great meal.
Email me at: phil.guzzo@gmail.com