Building Stop-Motion Masterpieces by Hand

Phil Tippett has spent a lifetime in the film industry, working as a model-maker, visual effects supervisor, director and stop-motion animator. He's been involved with big-name productions such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and RoboCop among others. But his real passion lies in handmade stop-motion animation. For over 30 years, Tippett has been working on an incredibly detailed film called "Mad God". He describes it as being set "in a Milton-esque world of monsters, mad scientists and war pigs." Amazingly, each character is painstakingly constructed by hand from foam, clay, latex and wire. Despite all the arduous toil, Tippett sees "Mad God" as a form of therapy and a way to reconnect with a time when special effects and animation were all done by hand.
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[@MelanieAnneAhern]

There’s nothing quite like the feel of stopmotion, it has a unique magic.

[@sleeepyhed]

I agree completely

[@Owen-_-]

The magic of a boy not having the right materials to hold his phone still...

[@boijeff8990]

Agreed

[@elijahhayter3026]

Like breathing life into your sculpture/painting/book/etc.

[@kanesmith8271]

@@Owen-_- cry about it some more

[@peppyhare6662]

This movie is like a personification of what I was afraid of as a child, and now it’s having me revisit these fears as an adult. Looking back, fear felt more abstract when I was young (creatures, hellscapes), but became more practical as I aged (people, injury). This is a nightmarish dive into that dark, childish little corner of my mind that has always been there. I had just forgotten about it.

[@AnaFiamatta]

Stop motion is my favorite ever since watching Tim Burton's Nighmare before Christmas and Corpse Bride. I hope it never goes away because there's been so many beautiful movies created!

[@geckogamingreptos8654]

Kirk z. It won't !

[@isaacbrock528]

Kirk I loved Wallace and grommit

[@bmxsasa2145]

Kirk i know this is a year old but it wont stop when iam around

[@Steelburgh]

Tim Burton didn't have much of anything to do with Nightmare Before Christmas. He didn't want to deal with stop motion. That's 100% Henry Selick's film. He's also the genius behind Coraline, another of my favorites.

[@johnny1013johnny]

it's never going away, don't worry, you just won't see it on the big screen very often unfortunately

[@patricksluiter3620]

Absolutely phenomenal film. Still thinking about it days after I saw it. Mad God will continue to howl it's haunting echo for artists in the oncoming years, serving as bar very few can achieve. If you see this with a creative mind-set (it's intense in many ways), you will experience a first-hand look at a master of stop-motion. Phil's work is a testament to the unique voices that won't will be filtered through a corporation's agenda. It's dark, it's humorous, it's disturbing, it's the most distorted trail mix-up you can find within Mad God. 5/5.

[@satinderjit4]

His stop motion skills are pretty awesome and smooth.

[@Ayuzoki]

satinderjit4 yeah he really makes it look so easy

[@ovizcarra8667]

I wish I made stop motions like him but my ones are not the best

[@robinanwaldt]

It seems like he has gotten even better than Ray Harryhausen.

[@bacongodofsteak6215]

i think stop motion is the hardest movie to make

[@gabrielwan1187]

That's a bit obvious

[@Gamer4672]

30...years

[@brandonisayoutuber5193]

BaconGodOfSteak there's a movie called stop motion?

[@bacongodofsteak6215]

Dzoi Is a KZbinr stop motion is a kind of movie theme like action, comedy, etc

[@Zey-The-Mouse]

challenging and very rewarding when achieved, :)

[@mistertamura6190]

Clearly, the world needs more Phil Tippetts.

[@BrentSalamorin]

This guy is just amazing

[@TippettStudio]

--- aww shucks ----

[@mysteriousplaguedoctor1744]

PhilsAttic You're the real one? Your work is facinating

[@akhilmadipalli3944]

Brent Salamorin 69 likes not touching it

[@ridley7578]

Just watched the movie. I gotta say, the first part had me a bit worried that I had wasted my money, but the second part made it for me. So much story with so little words. To the creator, hats off to you.

[@TippettStudio]

---- thx!! --- lots more shit in pt2 !! --

[@reelousthemaskthief9524]

So it is out and it is in 2 parts?

[@weirdguy4948]

It’s insane that you think the first part was a waste of money

[@ledeltaorokin6114]

Ok, how the hell were you able to watch the movie, first and second part? 'Cuz I tried to find the movie with fruitless results.

[@commonaccidents1047]

@@ledeltaorokin6114 it's on shudder now

[@videogeekin]

“ I am 59 years old and I am so interested in what you are doing. Art Clokey was how I first was exposed to this art form...he was so instrumental in the 1950s & 1960s in bringing stop-motion into our living rooms with Gumby and Davey & Goliath. It wasn’t until 1973 that I became aware of Harryhausen when ‘The 7th Voyage of Sinbad’ was rereleased and double billed with ‘ The Golden Voyage of Sinbad’ at my locale theater ( The Rafael) in 1973. I like everything from the old days like films, SPFX, music, television because it was more hands on like an artist that sculpts. Technology is good but in a way has cheated people out of real human art. Modern Science Fiction and digital technology today bores me... but when I see something I know was handmade I am fascinated and inspired as a human being.”

[@FrankBoston]

"I really have no say over it. It's just something that I have to do". People who find things they "have to do", end up doing some unique and magical things. You found your destiny. It makes you and others happy. That's priceless. Cool as hell too!

[@camerondye6108]

A lot of respect for this guy. In a world where CGI is the go to, he still practices what many would call an obsolete form of filmmaking. Huge respect for keeping it real Phil. I remember first hearing your name as a kid watching the behind the scenes of Jurassic Park. Seriously have a lot of respect for you.

[@klaatuNaatu]

I was sleeping on this Mad God movie until today. It looks absolutely amazing, and I can't wait for you to see how much everyone loves it after 3.5 decades of work, Phil! Thanks for making this short video to describe the passion, I can definitely see it.

[@AdonisNesser]

That face in the thumbnail looks a lot like mine when a new Great Big Story video is uploaded at one in the morning.

[@neshanwonder]

Adonis Nesser your living in the wrong country then

[@cazek445]

Adonis Nesser NYYAAAAAAAA!!!!!

[@ClownCity777]

Adonis Nesser more like when i find out finals is next week

[@rainrunerkillpopkill3424]

Adonis Nesser damn u look ugly af

[@bluevomit2361]

This man is a living legend, i'm quiet sure we'll se a documentary about his life and art. He absolutely deserves to be known, no doubt about it, his work is insanely awesome.

[@fluffdegoss]

This film was indeed nightmare fuel. Beautiful in it's own way. If you took Tim Burton, mixed it with Tool, you have Mad God. I'm gonna have to watch it a couple more times. it was enjoyable.

[@loconavajas]

Saw this today. Instant cult masterpiece. This deserves every Oscar In existence. Highly doubt today's audience is prepared for such piece of art.

[@squishysturgeon]

that's pretentious

[@hmorton490]

@@squishysturgeon Very.

[@Angrytroopershow]

"its all I think about"-this is how we suppose to live, just get deep in our passions and hobbies.

[@arthoorz]

Its coming ! Finally . MAD GOD bless

[@MarioMunozBro]

This story on Mad God came out 4 YEARS AGO and just 1 month ago we got an official teaser trailer of the film …. That fact that this is literal years of work is astounding to me

[@user-hm9mj1hc3j]

This story is amazing, but the channel is simply astounding itself

[@_-.-_-_.._--.-_-_----_-.--_._-]

My greatest inspiration in making stop motion pictures. Phil, I doubt you'll ever see this, but you are a legend. God bless.

[@nostalgicdystopian]

And after all this time it is out now and I just watched 30 years of history. Weird feeling and amazingly creative.

[@corduroycola]

just watched Mad God a few days ago and it's been constantly on my mind since. amazing and groundbreaking craftmanship!

[@saturatedneowax]

Love your videos and stop motion

[@TippettStudio]

--- thx!! --

[@DonniesBoStaff]

Stop Motion is just better than CGI. It takes more time, but it's also beautiful, practical, and realistic.

[@HistoricaHungarica]

Is there a way we can see the full movie?

[@bonsaitree4965]

HistoricaHungarica The guy took 30 years to make the film mostly on his own and with his own money. There's no doubt stop motion animation isn't easy, so it has good reasons for the price Honestly I don't care about the price I would probably watch it anyway cause the Movie looks hella Awesome!

[@anywitchway3866]

It took him 30 years on his own to hand craft the movie, frame by frame. I think the price is extremely fair, and I'm so glad that Great Big Story gave his opus a platform to be seen by so many more people

[@TippettStudio]

--- thx! --

[@leninswalrus885]

PhilsAttic your animation and world building is insane! I'll definitely be purchasing the complete film.

[@TippettStudio]

hey thx!

[@catapangamosabrahamc.1212]

Just watched MAD GOD. It's disgusting, I LOVE IT!!!!

[@pixelthis950]

Wow a man with a burning passion for stop motion animation I hope you will be what people think off when they think of stop motion animation in the future, I've started looking at the videos you have in your KZbin channel and the work there is truly spectacular the things that you create are beautiful works of art

[@gregormcscrungus9727]

More people in the film industry should follow this guy’s example of just doing what you really want to do with your career. If you’re a big budget actor, director, artist, etc, and want to do a movie that’d make you happy, then do it.

[@stevelira52524]

Wow old man. Very inspiring...to this old 43 yr.........old truck driver (who went to school for 3d/2d animation (one of my loves) i understand very much the hustle of the day job and things we put aside.......Cool video.

[@FearMonarch]

It's wild to watch this now, after already seeing the beautiful finished project and just hearing about the process and time it took, but finding these little bits make it that much more amazing

[@tomthebomb557]

Mad God is a movie unlike any other I have seen in my lifetime....It requires a few dozen viewings to really understand the depth of it and the visuals. A stupendous achievement of the highest order. When they decide to create a textbook on animation, this movie will be its Mona Lisa reference poiunt.

[@weirdghost7468]

this a really a great big story

[@ActuallyHoudini]

one of my favourite pictures of last year

[@crookedrooffilms]

Finally saw this movie yesterday, I'm almost 20 and I saw this video when I was 14, this was awesome

[@comrade3186]

After seeing the trailer, it was definitely worth 30 years. I wish I could watch it in theaters !

[@lewis6699518222]

I really hope this isn’t a dying art. I’m sad that it seems nothing today is about real creativity, more about money and fame. What a genius artist, I feel blessed to appreciate his work.

[@Scifogon]

2:24 I love these creatures ! They look incredible !

[@kaicohen5768]

Saw this the other day with Phil there in person. Absolutely amazing experience!

[@splunkmastah4609]

The eerie mess of Stop Motion has always disturbed me, but intrigued me at the same time. Phil Tippett’s monsters (particularly the large brown one shown in the beginning) Really creep me out, but I absolutely Love seeing how fluid the animation is. And for anyone saying Mad God was this disjointed mess that was a disappointment and a waste of 30 years, clearly you’ve never animated anything. Tippett himself has said that it was a means of therapy essentially. When you want to make something for the sake of making it, you don’t follow a story, you just animate as you go and see what you come up with. It’s all about the process itself, not so much the final picture. That being said, seeing your work at its end is the most satisfying thing, knowing You did that.

[@jas_bataille]

Opinion are like arseholes. Maybe remind those people that none other than Guillermo Del Toro say Phil is a master. You can argue a lot of things, but arguing that Del Toro makes messy films would be one of the most nonsensical thing anyone could say, ever.

[@trycoldman2358]

I can confirm that stopmotion is really taking its time, but worth it. It is very entertaining to make them yourself.

[@yourdonezo0078]

I'm still so amezed of what he's doing

[@slimjimdave285]

Thanks man for keeping this lost art alive with the level of effort you show. C.G.I. is all right, but nothing can top the detail and eye popping looks of stop motion. Good job indeed.

[@twelvemonkeys8786]

The film Mad Dog is film in its purest art form.. I wad blown away with it. Highly recommended to everyone that likes good films

[@ericvalverde6177]

Unbelievable. Once the shock wears off of what I just saw I am going to play it again

[@sinlokemp]

Respect ✊️

[@nychus1]

Just saw the trailer, looks good

[@GanondorfsWife]

Mad God had me hypnotized from the moment it started until it ended.

[@thebrownlizard3988]

stop motion god ! , mad god will never be forgotten thansk for this wonderful creative uniqu journey !

[@r3v3n63]

I swear, I would learn more about sculpting in one hour just being in that studio then I have on my own in the past ten years. There is always so much more to discover about things like this and I'm glad people like Mr. Tippett are willing to talk about it.

[@weirdguy4948]

A true visionary. This film was insane

[@hendrydotcom]

Tippett is such an amazing artist lots of respect for this man

[@Leon024]

*for the last 30 years* what.

[@LukeDukeShoot]

well he is making this independently so it would take a long time

[@-zorkaz-5493]

I think a lot of the charm of stop motion is the tactility ; this idea that somewhere in the world these are worlds and objects that can be touched and held and felt.

[@TheSuperDuperRealKen]

Holy crap 30 years, that’s some heavy commitment! I commend you

[@hashmashstudios8126]

I make stop motions to, but this man is truly one of the greatest

[@fuckednegativemind]

I've got somekind of epiphany when watching those trailers and behind the scenes, this is the movie I was unconsciously waiting for...

[@glopping1984]

imo stop motion is the best form of animation

[@darcyleaman3839]

After making a short stop motion film in grade 3 it became my favourite style of movie

[@firewarrior5828]

A stop motion film being developed for 30 years. That's some fucking hardcore dedication.

[@ludonymous526]

To say this film took over 30 years to complete really shows how much dedication was put here. The stop-motion movements are crazy smooth, nigh-identical to a live-action film, and all the bizarre madness that goes on is almost basically everything the late great animation legend Richard Williams could have ever wanted for his film "The Thief and the Cobbler", except done in stop-motion and given more time to properly land on its feet.

[@shparto1118]

To find a place for yourself in this world, pursue a dream and enjoy everyday life doing what you wanna do is something so great. Not to mention the outcome of it, his work is fucking amazing!

[@djsjsjsjjd]

Can't wait for this movie

[@justinreaves5364]

SUCH AN AWESOME GUY HE HAS TALENT FOR SURE COMING UP WITH ALL THOSE CREATURES GOT TO BE HARD ❤😮😊

[@voronOsphere]

I love Phil Tippet!!!!! One of the best!!!!!

[@wrangler5093]

it finally came out, and it's the masterpiece we expected

[@accordingtohonda4308]

I'm a proud supporter of Phil and MG. One of the few kickstarter projects worth supporting.

[@DogmaEarthwork]

I only saw Mad God for the first time yesterday and the magic, warmth, coldness, grotesque, intrigue, the words I’m trying to find elude me… it’s the best thing I’ve seen in such a long time and it brings a level of completeness that I cannot fathom, yet there is so much more that Mr Tippett says that means into elaboration on such an elaborate medium. Class beyond class. Inspiring stuff

[@uradick7271]

I just found this who Phil is and MAD God happens to be on my newly Subscribed AMC+....I wasn't going watch it right away....with your Review I'm definitely watching sooner then later....😮

[@kerruo2631]

I've seen so many stop-motion movies and I still can't comprehend how much work it takes to make them.

[@raulduke3237]

Mad God is gonna go down as one of the most.... movies of all time. I say it this way because there so many genres wrapped into it. Once it hits the main stream, people will be talking about it for years.

[@NonFilms]

Absolutely brilliant. We love you, Phil Tippett, and can't wait to see MAD GOD!

[@Dionydejesus]

This guy is Genius!! I would LOVE to see all his works.

[@colesmith3603]

Mad God just came out and it’s really something else

[@SeanRainey]

Dude... Mad God was a brilliant, bizarre and chilling piece. Absolutely grotesque in its aesthetics. Well done, Phil!

[@benhunt6917]

His animation is incredible, ya'll better buy this film!

[@Nak1124]

Respect to anyone who has the patience to do stop-motion, it is a truly great art form.

[@CK-ug8nc]

Truly the most pure form of a masterpiece of an artwork.

[@Saucisse_Praxis]

An amazing movie. A Masterpiece of craftsmanship and cinematography.

[@johnsullivan937]

stop motion was such a huge part of my childhood, there was always something way more eerie and ominous about seeing the stop motion monsters of the older movies vs the dated cgi from the late 90's and early 2000's. i wanted to get into animation so bad when i was little i remember going out and getting a shitty cheap webcam and using gum to make my action figures to stick onto the floor and shoot stop motion videos. they sucked, but god was i inspired.

[@leonprowse5806]

And the trailer was finally released! Good job!

[@razorrrnsnsj]

Phil, you are a Living Legend .......

[@illeslaszlo4481]

This is amazing, a true masterpiece! Congratulations Mr Phil Tippett!

[@anirex3919]

This movie looks dope. Can’t wait til it’s finished

[@SirPhoenixofSoCal]

Who’s here after the teaser trailer🖐 crazy this movie has been decades in the making

[@mootroidXproductions]

He's living the dream. This seriously speaks to me.

[@evanabbott2737]

I just finished watching Mad God. Wow, what a brilliant thing I just saw…😳👍

[@seanziethen1032]

Can’t wait to see the film. It looks so emerging

[@savagegamers7063]

this movie was amazing the sets the characters the backdrop and story was very creative and imaginative i can't wait to see more from this guy

[@phimosisjones7975]

4 years later and we’re just now seeing a trailer. Haha. Commitment.

[@redtexan7053]

I have tickets to see this in theaters on July 2. I cannot express my utter excitement.

[@wimburIV]

Coraline was such an amazing movie, it has to be one of my most memorable and enjoyed movies of all time.

[@PaladinOfNerds]

Real happy to have watched the full movie the other day. I think the scene with the giant gladiators and their 'caretaker' is my favorite. Reminded me of childhood... I'm also glad I didn't know about it until the trailer dropped last year. I would've overhyped it for myself waiting five years.

[@anilcheema9878]

I originally though that the monster from the thumbnail was some sought of prototype version of the slimmer from ghostbusters.

[@filiperodriguesaquin]

Phil is a master, i'm very happy he could make his movie after so long

[@joseamarillas7149]

I'm so excited/happy to see mad god

[@GalaxyOfZ]

i think we should "stop" and appreciate this man

[@bobothehippo]

So Mad God came out... Never have I seen a movie that went from a 10 to a 1 then back to what should be 10 again but had become ruined by the 1 point. Never been so disappointed by a movie.

[@kanishkpratapsinghchauhan114]

I was in awe with the movie (it was all emotions at one time 😅)