Definition & Meaning of "stop motion"

What is "stop motion"?

Stop motion is an animation technique where objects are photographed one frame at a time, with slight changes made to their position between each shot. When these individual frames are played in sequence, the objects appear to move smoothly. This method is commonly used with models, puppets, or clay figures, which are carefully adjusted for each frame to create the illusion of motion. Stop motion is known for its unique, tangible look and is often used in animated films, commercials, and short films to achieve a distinctive, handcrafted effect.