We have movies not available at Redbox or NetflixWe have movies not available at Redbox or Netflix

A time-lapse video for a stop-motion movie: Inside the making of 'ParaNorman'

Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 9:46 AM Central
Last updated Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 2:44 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

I'm a huge fan of the creative process. Sometimes seeing how an artist creates a work is as or more satisfying than examining the end result itself. Understanding all the decisions, steps, and -- most importantly -- sweat that went into a masterpiece is exhilarating.

Lucky you, in 90 seconds you'll get a glimpse inside making of a film destined to be a masterpiece.

I stake whatever shred of reputation I have on the fact that ParaNorman will indeed be an artistic masterpiece. It's from LAIKA, the makers of 2009's underrated film Coraline. Just like Coraline, it's produced using the meticulous stop-motion animation technique.

I've also been following along with the making of ParaNorman on Instagram, the hip photo-sharing mobile app. They've been routinely posting pictures of the sets and materials used in making this forthcoming comedy-thriller. Let me just tell you that the craftsmanship and attention to detail is beyond equal. It's extraordinary quality that will leave everyone at Pixar weeping from jealousy.

Take a look at the following video that captures numerous excruciating hours making just one of the many Norman figures used in the production of ParaNorman. Norman is the main character in the film, a young boy who can speak to the zombies who are attacking his hometown.

Again, that's just one figure version from the many used for Norman. Combine that with all the characters and sets. Now think of how they must articulate each gesture in each frame just to capture 1/24th of a second in the film. It's really mind-boggling to consider all the hard work involved.

Here's a glimpse of the end product, the trailer for ParaNorman. It hits theaters on Aug. 17. I think the bet I've made with myself about the movie being a masterpiece is a safe one.

More Craziness

If the sanity of ParaNorman's filmmakers was in doubt, I present the following as Exhibit Z. It describes the ridiculous level of complexity better than I can.