Del Toro & Gobelins School Launch Paris Studio to Revive “Stop Motion” Animation
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A new training studio dedicated to stop motion animation – a technique facing potential extinction – will open in Paris, thanks to a collaboration between acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro, the renowned Gobelins school, and financial backing from Netflix. The initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of artists skilled in this intricate, frame-by-frame filmmaking process.
A Dying Art Form Finds a Champion
The announcement, made Friday, addresses a critical gap in the animation landscape. Stop motion, the painstaking process of manipulating physical objects and photographing them incrementally to create the illusion of movement, is increasingly rare. According to one industry observer, the current practitioners are aging, with “the people who count in stop motion are all over 50.” This demographic reality underscores the urgency of the new studio’s mission: to foster emerging talent and ensure the survival of the art form.
A Creative Laboratory in Paris
The studio will function not only as a training ground but also as a hub for experimentation. “We envision this future studio not only as a training space, but also as a creative laboratory, a place where we can try experiments,” explained Valérie Moatti, the general director of Gobelins, from the school’s Paris campus. This emphasis on innovation is crucial, as del Toro himself acknowledges the precarious position of stop motion. “The stop motion is perpetually on the verge of extinction. And it’s perpetually kept alive by crazy people, it’s a very small cult with very dedicated people,” he remarked.
Safeguarding Creativity in the Age of AI
The timing of this initiative is particularly significant given the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. Del Toro believes stop motion offers a unique safeguard against the encroachment of AI into animation. “At a time when artificial intelligence can infiltrate all other forms of animation, (this art) is protected from it, and that’s very good,” he stated. He passionately argues that stop motion is fundamentally “filmmaking,” requiring a comprehensive skillset encompassing costume design, set design, lighting, and cinematography.
Beyond Commercial Animation
The studio’s focus extends beyond preparing students for mainstream commercial work. A senior official noted that many animation graduates currently find themselves creating advertisements or working on minor roles within large franchises. Del Toro champions stop motion as a medium that fosters greater creative freedom. “It’s different because it guarantees a greater space for creativity,” he asserted. “It’s a bit like the rebel force in the world of animation that refuses to surrender.”
Netflix Commits to the Future of Stop Motion
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, who addressed students at Gobelins, echoed this sentiment. “The stop motion it’s filmmaking,” he affirmed, emphasizing the holistic nature of the craft. “It’s costume design, set design, lighting, camera, every discipline that you use to make a film, you use in animation in stop motion.” Netflix’s financial support, alongside del Toro’s co-financing, demonstrates a significant commitment to preserving and advancing this unique animation technique, as exemplified by their 2022 production of del Toro’s Pinocchio using stop motion.
Details regarding the project’s investment, equipment needs, and studio size are still under discussion, with the school promising a full launch date announcement in the coming months.
