US1198599A - Process of producing moving pictures from plastic materials. - Google Patents

Description

C. L. SUDMANN & W. D. HOPKINS.

PROCESS OF PRODUCING MOVING PICTURES FROM PLASTIC MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, IBIS.

Patented-Sept. 19, 1916.

ATTORNE I CHARLES L. SUDMANN AND WILLIE D. HOP

ASSIGNOR TO ACORN MOVIE CARTOON C KINS, OF DALLAS, TEXAS; SAID SUDMANN OMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

PROCESS OF PRODUCING MOVING PICTURES FROM PLASTIC MATERIALS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 1, 1916. Serial No. 94,808.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, CHARLES L. SUD- MANN and WILIJJZ D. HOPKINS, citizens of the United States, residing at Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Im provements in a Process of Producing Moving Pictures from Plastic Materials, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to new and useful improvements in methods and means for producing moving picture subjects and 1 object or subject from a lump or lumps of pictures therefrom.

The primary feature of the invention resides in the evolution of a predetermined plastic material and it isquite evident that a process many modifications and be carried out by producing a support and then modeling thereon by a building up method, the object in mind, the object seeming to grow and animate without the aid of human hands, or with the aid as desired.

,The idea may also be carried out by modeling from a lump, a figure or object which may be bodily moved into various positions or caused to appear as moving. The modeling or building up process permits of many artistic and mystifying. effects as well as 'vivid animation.

In carrying'out the invention a skeleton or adjustable support may be provided and the modeling built upon the same either with or without a back-ground which may be or may not be simultaneously developed. In. the case of a figure being modeled around a pliable skeleton, said figure'may be displaced with reference to the background and made to assume different postures and depict certain emotions or animations. The process may be carried out in connection with a suitable back-ground and certain complete objects depicting a scene in which the modeled'object develops from a rock or other part of the scene. The work is photographed during its various stages of development on a cinematograph film.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from a perusal of the following specification and the'invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 shows a figure builtup on a pliable skeleton and a back-ground simultaneously developed, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a scenic device used in depicting a scene in which completed figures or "objects are used in conjunction with the modeling, Fig. 3 is a view of the early stages in the evolution of a hunter from a rock, and Fig. 4 is a continuation of the same;

In all of the figures except Fig. 1 strips of moving picture film are represented and these are divided as the successive pictures would appear on the film. It is to be understood that the strip shown is very much condensed as there would have to be several pictures or exposures of each stage whereas' only one picture of each stage is shown. As a rule it is necessary-to make at least sixteen exposures of a stage or picture in order that same may be held before the vision of the audience for a period of required duration as an insufficient number of exposures would make the stages or steps of the modeling move so fast as to be unobse'rvable. It is apparent that the greater the number of exposures the longer the picture will remain before the eye and the slower that particular stage or step of the modeling will appear to be, while conversely the step may be expedited by eliminating some of the exposures.

In making the exposures the photographer first photographs the support and its background or a scene and after the required number of exposures are made the camera is closed while the artist places the first lump of clay or other material on the support or stage. Clay, wax or other modeling material may be used and the use of the word clay is not to be considered a limitation. After placing the lump of clay the artist steps back and the required number of exposures of this picture or stage are made. The artist then places more clay on the model and any number of stages and the multiplicity of exposures of each are made. The photographing may start with the completed object and only the animations and movement of the latter photographed or the photographing may begin with the support and go through the entire modeling and manipulating stages. It is pointed out that both the number of stages and the particular number of exposures of each are matters which must be governed largely according Patented Sept. 19, 1916! a strip of film showing to the judgment and skill of the artist and the photographer. In the finished film which is projected on the screen the object or figure must appear to grow or develop and animate in a pleasing and interesting manner. Enough ictures or stages of development and animation must be photo- .graphed, and a suflicient number of exposures of each stage must be made, to give the film a smooth and continuous projection when exhibited so as to eliminate gaps and jumps in the continuity of the evolution.

The object being modeled on an adjustable support is capable of being made to assume various positions and may be bodily moved from one place to another. This support may be surrounded by the clay or the clay may be merely deposited on the support which latter can be of any suitable construction. Further while the support is adjustable it is apparent that certain anima tions of the object may be had without adjusting the support, but by merely manipulating the features or other parts of the object. Of course where an arm or a leg was moved the support would be adjusted in such a movement.

A wire skeleton may be placed against a smooth back-ground and the back-ground scene and the man built up at the same time. After the man is completed the figure may distorted with relation to the back-ground and different postures and antics-depicted. In fact the figureof the man may be moved about over the back-ground as desired and it willbe seen that other figures and objects a material to carry out the scene. In Fig. 3

the parts numbered appear as a scene, to

which is added a second rock 10. This rock 10 in the successive pictures is developed as shown in Fig. 4 into a hunter shooting at the animal. The completed figure of the hunter is shown in Fig. 2 and it is evident that it may be moved about on the platform together with the animal and rock 9 as desired. In this way any story may be interestingly illustrated.

What we claim is 1. The process of producing moving pictures from subjects modeled 1n*p1a'stic material, which includes providing an object of plastic material modeled on an adjustable support and capable of manipulation, manipulating the completed object whereby it is made to portray and depict various animations, and photogra hing the object in its different positions 0 animation.

2; The process of producing moving pictures, which consists in providing an adjustable support, depositing lumps of plastic material on the support until a complete object is produced, photographing the different stages of the work, manipulating. the completed object whereby it is made to assume different expressions and postures,

and photographing the different positions of the object.

3. The process of producing movin pictures, which consists in providing a 0 ily movable and adjustable support, modeling an object in plastic material on said support, photographin the modeling work during its stages 0 development, manipulating the object to give it animation, and photographing said object in various positions.

4. An article of manufacture for use in the production of moving pictures, including an adjustable support, and plastic material modeled'on the support, said article being capable of manipulation and distortion..

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures. I

CHARLES L. SUDMANN. WILLIE D. HOPKINS.

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