Still motion

A still motion movie of computer mice.

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. 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, 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

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 of subliminal messaging. Since the subconscious 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 or Gif animation banners on website advertisements.

Though the style has been widely used in television, film and the internet for decades, it was associated with the term, "Still-Motion" in 2007 by web designer, Rizwan Muhammad, designer of www.stillmovingonline.com, which is dedicated to creating still-motion movies from individual user-uploaded images.

Examples

• In Lost, Season 3, Episode 7, Not in Portland, the character 'Karl' was brainwashed by a screen showing a still motion movie show various images and texts.
• In Heroes, Season 2, Episode 8, "Four Months Ago, Peter Pettrelli, sees a still motion movie when he retrieves his memory.
• Psyop created this Still Motion movie for Adidas' Adicolor: Blue