Tim Burton and Henry Selick’s Claymation Art
Take a moment and appreciate movies with me. Not just any old movies, Tim Burton movies. Have you ever taken the time to look past the creepy Claymation figures and think about the real artistry behind movies such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Corpse Bride, and Frankenweenie? Movies like these take weeks to prepare and film, while animators must consider every minute detail of the scenes they are creating.
While many people shy away from films like these because the Claymation puppets can be creepy or disconcerting, I recommend you take the time to enjoy them. Currently on Disney+’s Halloween page, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Frankenweenie can be found easily.
Henry Selick, a less spoken about artist, has also brought about the creation of Claymation films such as Coraline and James and The Giant Peach. Although Selick’s work is spoken about less and is often confused for Tim Burton’s, his work is equally as artistic and worthwhile. Films like Coraline, just like any other great film, incorporate every detail for foreshadowing and storytelling while also maintaining their artistic style.
While not all these films are Disney films, their artistry is equally matched. Claymation is a bit uncharacteristic for Disney, which is no surprise since it gives many people the creeps, however, that does not change the fact that so many people have put hours of their life into these films. If you get a chance to check a few of them out you may find not only the Halloween spooks you have been looking for but also a new inspiration for your next art project or paper. These films have a way of inspiring creativity and are worth the time to watch.
On Disney+ Right Now:
James and The Giant Peach (Henry Selick)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (Tim Burton)
Frankenweenie (Tim Burton)
~Jordan Moore