Today we’d like to introduce you to Masashi Yamamoto.
Hi Masashi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I attended the Rhode Island School of Design for my undergraduate education, where I pursued a degree in film, animation, and video, with a primary emphasis on stop-motion animation. Subsequently, I furthered my education by earning a master’s degree at the California Institute of the Arts to enhance my animation and conceptual abilities.
Following my graduation from Calarts, my professional journey began as a stop-motion fabricator and animator in Los Angeles. During my professional journey, I had the immense pleasure of encountering Mr. Jeff White, my former supervisor and artistic director. He is not only an exceptional artist but also a remarkable individual whom I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with. Furthermore, his team was an incredibly welcoming and supportive group of individuals. Their camaraderie and warmth made them feel like a second family to me. It was evident that within this artistic community, each member genuinely cared for one another and their collective pursuit of artistic excellence.
Simultaneously, I also embarked on an artistic path, working as an independent filmmaker and animation artist. I work on my personal film for 2 to 3 hours every day.
I find that striking a balance between working in the animation studio with colleagues and friends during the day on industry projects and dedicating my nights to working on my personal films is a favorable arrangement for me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has posed occasional challenges for me. For instance, while creating stop-motion animations, I invariably find myself in a dimly lit room, painstakingly animating puppets and objects, ensuring that external light is blocked out. This solitude can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness. However, my passion for stop-motion animation remains strong!
Consequently, during my non-animation hours, I frequently make plans to meet up with friends for coffee and lunch to counterbalance the solitude.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I engage in the creation of independent animations and films, employing a versatile filmmaking approach. I craft animations that encompass character-driven stop-motion narratives, 2D hand-drawn animation, and abstract animations rooted in found objects.
One recent example of my work in the realm of abstract animation is “Beardiful Tone.” In this particular film, I endeavored to create a profoundly personal piece of art. I conceived the unique idea of utilizing my own facial hair (my mustache and beard) for this project, meticulously capturing each individual hair using a microlens and then animating them using the stop-motion animation technique. These animated hair strands were subsequently composited in After Effects. My aspiration was for audiences to experience the musical essence and vitality emanating from my hair’s movements.
My most recent film, titled “Discoteque,” blends the artistry of stop-motion animation and 2D hand-drawn animation. While my initial intent was to exclusively employ 2D animation, the inclusion of stop-motion elements added a sense of depth and dimension to the film. To infuse the work with a personal touch, I provided the narration using my own voice throughout the animation film.
I also engage in the creation of illustrations, sculptures, character designs, and visual development for my personal films. These abilities are equally crucial for my projects.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
My primary professional focus is within the realm of stop-motion animation. From a personal perspective, I believe that the stop-motion animation industry will persist in a manner largely consistent with its current state for the next 5-10 years and beyond. The unique nature of stop-motion animation, which involves manual and physical craftsmanship, renders it resistant to replacement by computers and AI. I hold the belief that the appeal of stop-motion animation for audiences lies in the handmade qualities brought to life by the artists involved in the filmmaking process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://masashiiii.com
