Still motion is a method of displaying many images one after another as frames, using the technique of "frame-by-frame", similar to the concept of
stop motion
Stop motion is an animated filmmaking technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they will appear to exhibit independent motion or change when the series of frames ...
. The difference between this and stop motion, however, is that still motion is not a method of
animation and therefore, each frame does not have to be related in any way. It is a style of editing which is usually used to create an intense effect.
Overview
Still motion started as a method to intensify a scene. Mostly used in
horror films
Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes.
Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apoca ...
, a sequence of images would appear on screen at a relatively fast speed to intensify the moment. It is also usually accompanied by unnerving music. It could also be used to signify flashbacks, dreams or summaries and lead to a conclusion of some sort. Sometimes, it could be slower and pictures fade in and out, like a
slideshow
A slide show (slideshow) is a presentation of a series of still images ( slides) on a projection screen or electronic display device, typically in a prearranged sequence. The changes may be automatic and at regular intervals or they may be man ...
.
The attributes of a still motion movie are less confined than that of a stop motion movie. A still motion movie can contain images of anything and need not have any
composition relation with its predecessor frame. All frames should have the same dimensions, however, each image may have its own dimensions within a frame.
This method has been accused by many{{who, date=January 2023 of
subliminal messaging
Subliminal stimuli (; the prefix ' literally means "below" or "less than") are any sensory stimuli below an individual's threshold for conscious perception, in contrast to stimuli (above threshold). A 2012 review of functional magnetic resonance ...
. Since the
subconscious
In psychology, the subconscious is the part of the mind that is not currently of focal awareness.
Scholarly use of the term
The word ''subconscious'' represents an anglicized version of the French ''subconscient'' as coined in 1889 by the psycho ...
mind is said to pick things up much faster than the rest of the brain, one could say that a hidden message in a still motion movie, it may allow the brain to receive the message without the human eye having time to register it.
History
The technique has been used in many forms of media. The most common form of still motion now exists as
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash (formerly Macromedia Flash and FutureSplash) is a multimedia software platform used for production of animations, rich web applications, desktop applications, mobile apps, mobile games, and embedded web browser video players. Fla ...
or
Gif animation banners on website advertisements.
Examples
*In ''
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' (sometimes referred to as ''HG2G'', ''HHGTTG'', ''H2G2'', or ''tHGttG'') is a comedy science fiction franchise created by Douglas Adams. Originally a 1978 radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio 4, it ...
'', the infinite improbability drive of the ''Heart of Gold'' is represented by a still motion sequence of seemingly unrelated items accompanied by 'popping' sounds, finishing with the Heart of Gold.
*In ''
Lost'', Season 3, Episode 7, "
Not in Portland", the character 'Karl' was
brainwashed
Brainwashed may refer to:
*Brainwashing, to affect a person's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process
Music Albums
* Brainwashed (George Harrison album), ''Brainwashed'' (George Harrison album), 2002, or the ...
by a screen showing a still motion movie show various images and texts.
*In ''
Chuck'', Season 1, Episode 1, "Pilot", Charles Bartowski, sees a still motion movie containing U.S. intelligence files to become the intersect.
*In ''
Heroes'', Season 2, Episode 8, "
Four Months Ago...", Peter Petrelli, sees a still motion movie when he retrieves his memory.
*In ''
Vanilla Sky'', David Aames sees a still motion movie of his life before he hits the ground
See also
*
Stop motion
Stop motion is an animated filmmaking technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they will appear to exhibit independent motion or change when the series of frames ...
*
Go motion
External links
''Her Morning Elegance'', a video clip made with still motion animation.
Stop motion
Animation techniques