Animator Led Stop-Motion Workshop for Boise Students
Local middle school students learned stop-motion techniques from a professional animator.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Animation
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Animator Lars C. Larsen hosted a weeklong stop-motion workshop at The Learning Academy in Boise. Students used iPad cameras and various materials to create their own animated sequences.
Why it matters
The program aimed to provide students with hands-on creative experience as a tactile alternative to AI-generated content. Participants practiced fundamental motion concepts while learning directly from an industry veteran.
Lars C. Larsen has contributed to major stop-motion films including Pinocchio, Coraline, and The Boxtrolls. His professional experience includes projects like building portals for Coraline that required 1.5 years to complete.
The players
Lars C. Larsen
Lars C. Larsen is a professional animator who has worked on notable stop-motion films including Coraline and The Boxtrolls.
The Learning Academy
The Learning Academy is a Boise-based school that hosted the animation workshop for its middle school students.
The details
Larsen taught techniques such as squash and stretch and moving holds using Muybridge photography studies to explain motion. Students photographed clay, puppets, and paper frame-by-frame to produce their own walk cycles.
Timeline
Wednesday morning: Students gathered in a yurt to review animation dailies.
Friday: The animation workshop concluded with a final screening.
Fall 2026: The film Wildwood is scheduled to premiere.
Industry Dynamics
The use of legacy photography studies to teach animation signals a broader industry move to preserve traditional artistic techniques. This approach contrasts with the growing automation of creative tasks by emphasizing manual, frame-by-frame craftsmanship.
Students and families in the area can look forward to seeing the results of industry-standard production methods in the upcoming film Wildwood. The techniques taught in the workshop demonstrate the practical skills required for those interested in pursuing careers in professional animation.
The takeaway
Hands-on experience with stop-motion animation teaches students the patience and precision required to bring static objects to life. Engaging with physical media helps aspiring creators understand the core mechanics of motion that underpin all animated storytelling.
Further reading
Learn more about local creative education in the Animation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Press.
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