This filmmaking technique creates the illusion of movement by incrementally manipulating physical objects between individually photographed frames. When the sequence of frames is played back at a sufficient speed, the objects appear to move on their own. A common example involves clay figures posed in slightly different positions for each shot, resulting in what is often called claymation.
The merit of this approach lies in its ability to bring inanimate objects to life, offering a unique aesthetic often characterized by its handcrafted appearance. Historically significant, it represents one of the earliest forms of animation and has been employed in a diverse range of projects, from short films and commercials to feature-length movies. Its influence extends to the development of more complex animation techniques.