Friends With Death - Jim McKenzie (Grim Reaper Sculpture) 7,000 Photos Stop Motion

“Friends With Death” A Film By, Jim McKenzie 2019
Merchandise! ► jimmckenzie.bigcartel.com/
Instagram ► / jimmckenzie
Facebook ► / officialjimmckenzie
KZbin ► / jimmckenzie
Twitter ► / jimmymckenzie
Website ► jimmckenzieart.com
Clays I Use ► www.amazon.com/shop/jimmckenzie
Music By, Zac Silva & James McCaffrey
www.Zacsilva.com www.Mccaffreymusic.com
Recorded at The Hangar in Wall, NJ
-
Friends With Death documents the step by step process of artist Jim McKenzie’s Grim Reaper sculpture in the form of stop motion animation. Over 7,000 photos were shot simultaneously as the piece was being sculpted to create this five minute short film.
McKenzie began creating the piece in November of 2018. Initially, the sculpture was not meant to be of the Grim Reaper, but of a friendly skull. Within the second month of the sculpting process, McKenzie experienced a loss in his immediate family. The following month his son was born. The two events unconsciously influenced a change in the sculpture’s direction, resulting in what is seen here. The finished sculpture was later displayed as a center piece in McKenzie’s mini solo exhibition, “Art Of Character” at Corey Helford Gallery which ran from June 29th 2019 - August 4th 2019.
To inquire purchasing the original sculpture, contact the Corey Helford Gallery at [e-mail]
Copyright ©Jim McKenzie 2020 - All Rights Reserved

[@glenjamindle]

The freakin editing probably took longer than that hyper detailed sculpture!

[@user-O_06660_O]

Damn: amazing sculpture and amazing video!

[@LindaLRosario]

Glen Atchison true, lol 😂

[@ImmortalIdeas]

Right!!!!!!

[@atacospamminglucasboi3669]

The sculpture took a year apparently

[@mouraderrafi194]

it's not editing its actually stop motion, stop motion is basically taking a bunch of pictures and connect them all together

[@saldevito2159]

The part when he makes the rocks are sick

[@theregenedmoogles741]

The music with each corresponding beat to each stroke of paint

[@MHTutorials3D]

Utterly amazing

[@whyzytcg8873]

Not to mention about how much effort he spend on the syncing of music & sound effects...

[@funeraldayart2969]

Folks this is some real wizardry here I just can’t anymore-

[@professorpig9999]

I love this man with my heart and soul.

[@jimmckenzie]

I love you Professor Piglet

[@professorpig9999]

Jim McKenzie really though man your awsome I've been watching your channel since the harvest sculptures

[@mariaseloir4326]

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 👻👻👻💀💀💀

[@stephaniebaker6001]

How can anyone NOT love Jim? I cannot understand why this INCREDIBLE video would garner ANY dislikes!! WTF? It was one of the most amazing, whimsical and wonderous things I have EVER seen!! 🖤🖤🖤

[@professorpig9999]

Stephanie Baker kind of ironic I got a Billie Ellish ad before this🤣

[@Agoose2099]

This gives me a coraline vibe

[@maxseigner4803]

i was thinking that to just this one was a lot more cute

[@Agoose2099]

@@maxseigner4803 yeah true

[@TEAMUNPROBLAMATICBRANDON]

Same idk whyyy

[@LaFranceBonjour]

thanks for reminding me, i wanted to watch it again but kept on forgetting. im going to watch it right now

[@fadeseven78]

Levels of sculpture Clay skeleton face: beginner Clay skeleton sculpting: pro Clay skeleton sculpting with stop motion: GOD

[@BoomDYadda]

Even in death, he brings his art to life!

[@ImmortalIdeas]

Fn amazing vid!!!!!!

[@DrGaruda]

The editing, the technique, the painting, I have no words, unbelievable.

[@ImmortalIdeas]

Right!!!!!!!!!! Wow!!

[@aslah92_3]

@@iqbalmutaqin5778 jangan jadi bodo kat sini

[@filmoneri724]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/roTUZYCun9CEipo

[@lemns8296]

dont u just love how hes pro stop motion❤❤❤

[@craftyhamster6353]

That was a word. 😂

[@TATIANA_KLEVER]

Просто, до слёз! It's a beautiful!

[@sparkysheep879]

I really cant see how anyone could dislike this? Not only is this sculpture amazing but his visual effects are too! Great job :D !

[@Panda-tx4ey]

That's ONE of the cutest, kindest, most genuine friendly skeleton head I've ever seen. There.

[@howtominecraft616]

Skinny

[@ayjfr88]

@@howtominecraft616 well it is a skeleton 🤣

[@bluesan2331]

No there are Sans and PaPyrUs

[@filmoneri724]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/roTUZYCun9CEipo

[@0Dawn_of_Time0]

What about the ones from Corspe Bride

[@spookybow4391]

Someone needs to make like a stopmotion movie about this character. Edit: OMG TIM BURTON WE NEED YOU

[@morgandiaz6822]

Exactly

[@carmacris4]

Omg I can imagine it ugh omg so many things would go well with this character!!

[@morgandiaz6822]

@@carmacris4 Omg I know right???!!

[@enbi5440]

yeah you mean like kubo and the two strings? i love that movie

[@spookybow4391]

Yeah! Something like that

[@peterratter6603]

A perfect fusion of sound and sight. I keep coming back to this video, and can never make up my mind if it's for the modelling, music, or both.

[@Blue-vy6eu]

I AM AMAZED!!!!!!!!!!!! I like how you made this character. Adding such detail & materials he used in making it. I never get bored watching how this character came to be. Just watching how you made this character inspired me to want to create my own character &/or characters in that same level of detail you just did with this character. Not only do I like it, but I'm also downright jealous of your artistic skill. The way you just kept adding & adding is what I like seeing in an artist in his work. It is not only cool but ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. In my point of view, you are a guy with a real gift in how you create your art. In my book you are a true master of your work without a doubt in my mind whatsoever, your work even speaks for itself of all the effort you put into it, which also shows your creativeness & imagination. In all my life I've never seen an artist with such skill & the Grim Reaper you created just blows my mind in every sense of the word to it. The moment I watched this video, it really motivates me to try harder in my work, to try something new, & expand my skills. Jim McKenzie really inspires me more than I have ever been by anyone or anything in a long time. My motivation for working in my art has jumped a thousandfold more, for that, I thank you for getting me back on my feet & to love working in my art a whole lot more than I did before. You are a whole new inspiration to me, whenever I'm down watching this video about your Grim Reaper at work brings me back up. Your Grim Reaper is amazing & cute. I like it very, very much. Very well done. BRAVO Jim McKenzie

[@jimmckenzie]

Wow thanks so much! 🖤🖤🖤

[@Azula13]

The fact that he film this stop motion its wow such great effort

[@ImmortalIdeas]

Perfect!!!

[@tahunuva4254]

Incredible sculpture, but as someone who's had experience with stop motion this actually hurt to think of how long this took xD Totally deserves its place in the gallery.

[@2003mandiman]

Absofeckinglutely!!!!!

[@dinamakan]

Definitely

[@ricosuave4275]

Brilliant! You don't really see the hundreds and thousands of hours that it takes to create sculpts like this. Just a beautiful piece!

[@thisisbaxter1354]

Especially putting it together in frames so it appears he put it on seemingly with no effort!

[@ironsnowflake1076]

@@thisisbaxter1354 simply magical 💓

[@TheOriginalOrkdoop]

I am completely blown away by how beautiful this sculpture is on top of it also being a stop motion animation of its creation. I can't wrap my head around it. So good!

[@pamelatyree3521]

OMG YEP I KNOW RIGHT HES PERFECT AND PROFESSIONAL ANYWAYS ARE YOU SAVED ? HAVE YOU ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE I COULDN'T IMAGINE HEAVEN WITHOUT YOU

[@sabrinagventer2625]

not only is the sculpture spectacular, but the stop motion of its creation is art of its own right. Taking the time to sculpt AND take pictures at the same time, amazing. ❤❤❤❤

[@kea4751]

I have a feeling that if this was going to be a movie it would be a good one

[@alisiaxo5829]

IKEA OMG WTF

[@aestheticrxse4739]

I feel like it would be a sad one because I watched this one animation about death or something like that and everything he touched died. I don’t remember the name of the animation tho :/

[@evah-4141]

@@aestheticrxse4739 just because one animation is sad dosent mean the other would be

[@aestheticrxse4739]

Evah- 4 I was just saying what I would think that the movie would be sad based on the art pice and the animation 😕

[@Devils7thstring]

I honestly thought that this was like a stop motion animation

[@shivanaramadhin5856]

This is the stuff youtube should be recommending me all the time

[@chopin65]

Yes. They should. You wait and see. This man has a very bright future. I mean Hollywood future.

[@eletro55]

Agreed

[@freedomforever2]

The best Artist EVER !!!! Seriously you 're my favorite ARTIST ! This is what i call the pur magnificence !

[@jimmckenzie]

Thank you!

[@owlthepirate5997]

This is unbelievable, what this guy can do with clay! He is a genius when it comes to sculptures and painting! Can't wait to see more of his work!! 🤩😍☠️

[@cannibal_redneck7109]

Never wanted to hug death so much in my entire life

[@lyannaschwimmer869]

Finally, you absolute artistic genius.

[@glsp9198]

Lyanna Schwimmer Kfc,ldlddlld,elepeld.els.lelc,d,doc,llllllllllewdososllelwlsldlpeleldlsle,els,els.s.slsl.slalslw.slsllslw.slalsls,s.s.lslslwslls.slslsls.slallslw.sles.ls.slalsls,els,s.la.sle.s,els.sle.s.e.e.sld.e.dld.s.d.d,d,,d,w,le,xwlslsls,pals,s,dolls,els,els,le,els,slslsls,all,slelwl,slslsls,slsllslss,ls

[@deepakking2273]

Gjb

[@owlthepirate5997]

@@glsp9198 you're a very stupid kind of asshole aren't you?

[@diarts4458]

I’m in love and totally lost for words! And for a writer that’s quite a big deal! 🥰

[@brunacastro5466]

Omg. I've never seen anybody so talented. Flawless!!!!

[@pamelatyree3521]

OMG I KNOW RIGHT HES PERFECT AND PROFESSIONAL ANYWAYS ARE YOU SAVED BRUNA ? HAVE YOU ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE I COULDN'T IMAGINE HEAVEN WITHOUT YOU

[@brunacastro5466]

@@pamelatyree3521 i do believe in jesus but I don't see the point talking about this here. This is art, not worship

[@drwhoscumrag]

This way of filming (stop motion?) Is brilliant

[@5262rw]

No

[@5262rw]

Opposite of slow motion

[@Staz.]

@@5262rw he said stop motion

[@bromomento5913]

@@5262rw it's stop motion

[@thepanman8]

Wish we got to see the step by step though

[@kelfae]

I can't decide which I like more: the art, the art of the art, or the art you've made of the art of the art.... Um.

[@donrummo1151]

Noice.

[@lauracreighton3734]

I just love Death, he's got such a sweet face. The young man who created this piece is so very talented!

[@Rainbow.Quartz]

WAIT THAT ITS ALSOOOOO STOP MOTION? THAT SHITS ALSO HARD. HOW DO U ACQUIRE THIS SKILL? WHAT BEAST DO I HAVE TO SLAY?

[@berserkirclaws107]

I would love to see an animation movie with this character.

[@seniorsly]

I would love to see an animation move with ALL his characters

[@btsforeverot7661]

i would love love too

[@JungKook-ij6dj]

yes we do... animation nowadays is so boring

[@WouterZtube]

OK, cool sculpture. But the editing of this one is just freaking insane.

[@ferchsakura]

My god, I can’t imagine how long this took to make! It looks amazing!

[@matthewchapman1146]

The sculpture itself is amazing but the stop motion puts it on a whole other level. Phenomenal work.

[@mythicmystie]

I absolutely love how personalized the characters are. They look as though they could actually come to life at any moment and be so animated. Very amazing.

[@Destinystrike]

How to make a sculpture take even longer: Make it a stop motion film.

[@AlexChavez-wz1ok]

This is so beautiful. I typically do not care much for death images because I love life but wow. This sculpture almost makes me feel the grim reaper's humanity. It just beautiful.

[@sd4055]

Astounding talent! I was captivated as I watched it all unfold. Amazing. Undeniably amazing!

[@dianagonzalez4706]

I'm so impressed, I wish I could give more than one like

[@g9luvsyoutube]

Just make another account like I did.

[@3.24D14]

Am I the only one who finds this grim reaper very adorable ❤️❤️

[@loulou2634]

No

[@lesliegreiff6415]

You aren't the only one. That's what I thought when I first saw it.

[@user-uf9ul4tk5n]

Не знаю, сколько я уже пересмотрела это видео, и всё ни как не на любуюсь ☺

[@onigireee]

You can watch each of his movies a dozen times over and still come away feeling like you've seen something new. 💕 I'm sorry for the loss you experienced during this sculpture though, and congrats on your baby boy!

[@creamii9544]

i wasnt expecting a stop motion holy crap,this is so cool

[@chopin65]

Tim Burton would hire you in a heartbeat. I am sure of it.

[@christinacyrus3824]

I was trying to think what it reminded me of. Thank you.

[@Emiliapocalypse]

Old school Tim burton would have. Not the current tim burton coasting on the fumes of his career though

[@madameHunterr]

My immediate thought!

[@chopin65]

@@Emiliapocalypse Why do you have to be so negative?

[@Emiliapocalypse]

David Andersen just a difference of opinion

[@stardresser1]

WOW! not sure what's more amazing, the film clip or the creation. FANTASTIC.

[@DeepDeep-go6qu]

No words for this creative art piece. Superbbbbbbbb.

[@DistortionsUnlimited]

Love the whole vibe of this video! Great job! Wonderful sculpture and a great, entertaining video. Hello from the Distortions crew!

[@jimmckenzie]

Hey thanks a bunch!

[@vpm69]

-:)

[@jonathanmayermakes]

This is amazing. The artistry, the stop motion, and the musical score all come together so perfectly. We need a short film of this guy in action!

[@daveyrobinson3779]

Dude, just watch a Tim Burton film

[@Carole.P]

I can’t understand why you’d thumbs down this young man. He’s great! I wouldn’t put it on my mantelpiece, but you can’t deny, he’s talented 🌈

[@francescaa8331]

All amazing. Video. The art. All of it.

[@SufficeNgratifY]

That is the cutest skull I've ever seen in my life lol.

[@stephaniebaker6001]

Right? I want to be friends with the adorable little guy! 🙂💀🖤

[@ace_of_cups4096]

I love that the entire thing is stop motion, and that death is in an every day hoodie jeans and sneakers - scratch that, everyday hoodie, jeans, and converse XD

[@shadowGaming-bb8dv]

Never seen this type of art 🎨.... Outstanding

[@ellenrathbone9147]

Just wonderful!

[@oxtailpuncake1211]

"just because Death takes life. Doesn't mean he can't enjoy it."

[@balua2968]

OMG, enjoy what? life or taking life!!

[@oxtailpuncake1211]

@@balua2968 dude the guy is looking at a butterfly while SMILING what do you think?

[@__-qo4ci]

Eyyy, is your name and profile pic a Vanoss/Nogla/Wildcat reference? :)

[@oxtailpuncake1211]

@@__-qo4ci no wildcat and my friend gave me the idea,people do find it funny so i haven't changed it.

[@__-qo4ci]

@@oxtailpuncake1211 nice! :D

[@LORDBahaa]

you are incredible

[@Rari1022]

I've watched this so many times already. And I'm still left in amazement. So incredibly talented.

[@leemythic4400]

Goodness I'm glad I somehow was recommended this

[@DvidTheGnome]

Very cool, I think the scarecrow is still my favorite, but man you sure know how to pick a great angle to finish on. Great silhouette, great expression, just well done man.

[@patrickimperial579]

yeah the scarecrow is just legendary

[@MorayEelFan2006]

People like this are underrated

[@north6534]

Mesmerizing , the idea and talent !!!!!!

[@siennamarie1210]

This is probably my favorite sculpture I’ve ever seen! I love love love the thought behind it (friends with death) and it is so beautiful. I can tell how much time it took I love this so much

[@beaiglesias347]

He didn't have to be this extra but I'm so glad he did

[@isabellahumphreys9087]

I can’t express enough how many Tim Burton related emotions this gives me and how thankful I am for them because this is absolutely amazing holy shit.

[@OremasWorld]

Amazing, striking and incredible!

[@alice-cn2ll]

The attention to detail is incredible! Wonderful work!

[@shitmultiverse1404]

You can tell by his face that he needs some sleep

[@jimmckenzie]

I had a one month old baby who refused to sleep during the shots where you see me sculpting. Then had to some how find a few minutes per day to squeeze in a shot. The most tired I've ever been in my life!

[@AkyrahD]

Jim McKenzie congrats on your new baby! Your art is amazing !

[@nagmakhan5380]

I don't know why KZbin recommended me this video but I liked it😬

[@NusratJahan-hs2fs]

Mine long time recommendation 😬

[@glsp9198]

Nagma Khan qwaxxxcxxx. ,lmkmknk.,12

[@gokuwrightattorneyatlaw5227]

It probably knew you would

[@yumingchen337]

Good for you, you creative soul. Do you want a star sticker?

[@Stevie_Dee]

Absolutely amazing !!

[@miastalnik3654]

I just kept falling more in love as the video continued. It encapsulates so many things I hold very dear. I almost teared up watching this, it's so beautiful. A job very well done

[@Maria-qv2cw]

I just can’t imagine what a huge amount of work it took to create the sculpture and make this video! So amazing and beautiful 😍😍😍😍😍

[@tanyabattaglia93]

Why would someone DISLIKE this. Blasphemy!

[@stephaniebaker6001]

THAT makes absolutely ZERO sense! I completely agree; HOW could ANYONE dislike this???

[@heidibevan1916]

Because some ppl don't like the fact that they themselves don't have the skill or the imagination to do something like this. This was really good 😎👍💙

[@davineimeister4611]

Dislikes are from people who can't even drawn a circle

[@heidibevan1916]

@@davineimeister4611 Let alone a stick-man 😂🤣

[@SunflowerSpotlight]

Maybe they had expected a brief tutorial or the sculptor to go over the inspiration or steps? I think a lot of the time when someone dislikes something, it’s because it’s not what they were expecting. If they wanted and expected a lot of info, as great as this video was (and I personally really enjoyed it), it would be disappointing, as there was no dialogue at all. Would I personally leave a dislike for that? No. But apparently it’s a common reaction.

[@laurensullivan1522]

Single handedly the coolest thing I've seen in a long time!! Amazing!!!

[@kingbugszy]

Amazing and absolutely stunning

[@leehoonyen]

Douse anyone else want to see this made in to a movie

[@nakitauchichica]

Someone should turn this Grim Reaper into a movie character. That scene alone tells a story. :)

[@JungKook-ij6dj]

Yes

[@__berryblush3707]

absolutely

[@sarahl9545]

WOW. This is brilliant! not only the sculpture but that editing?!?!? wow.

[@carolleib5797]

Totally Amazing! Beautiful beyond words, you are truly gifted, God bless!

[@acowinthebarn3312]

I DO really like how death isn't portrayed as a bad thing. It hurts, but it's part of life - and from what I've heard, it's peaceful bliss.

[@acowinthebarn3312]

@Sdrrshock Reddit threads, as silly as it might sound. 95% of the experiences were the same or similar and it was all very comforting.

[@acowinthebarn3312]

@Sdrrshock they died for a few moment and were resuscitated.

[@baggieshorts1406]

Peaceful?? Yes it is, depending which side of the line you are on.

[@filthykid7069]

Yes. I never really thought of death as a bad thing nor a good one. It's just the end.

[@Deep_phobias]

@@filthykid7069 its crazy that people see it as the end. Everything before you existed happened without you, and then you happened, you live a life, then everything goes back to a time without you. You didnt exist, then you did, then you didn't.

[@lambhec]

Literally one of the most amazing 5 minutes of my life. Everything about it is nothing short of extraordinary! Humbled it was free to watch.

[@ashleyc0re_]

Your attention to detail makes my heart melt 😍

[@sanjeetpendharkar5340]

Unimaginably Superb.... Unbelievably Creative...... A Masterpiece indeed....

[@beyond_bri6318]

I couldn't imagine building such an amazing sculpture, much less making it a cinematic masterpiece. Well done!

[@zeeozzy9129]

I cant even imagine how difficult this must have been! once tried to do something like this and the file deleted without auto save... I have a lot of respect for your work, this is amazing!

[@alexisrose406]

Simply amazing!

[@Mslavender1982]

I love everything about this!

[@tremorhandclay]

wow... just wow... i can believe this. who are you??! artistic jesus??

[@Urheart4Tiny]

I like to think hes reincarnated Bob Ross

[@ImmortalIdeas]

Lmao!!!! Hella great vid!!!!!

[@tremorhandclay]

@@Urheart4Tiny Yes, bob ross is reincarnated Artistic Jesus too...

[@Kanekos7]

I must say this is one of the cleanest, detailed, and most creative videos I've seen in a very long time. I mean, the sculpture is amazing in its own and the Tim Burton style editing of the video is just icing on the cake. Fantastic job! 👍

[@emailusgenericus4890]

I love this so much!! I’m glad I ran across it even tho it’s 3 yrs old. Utterly charming 😊

[@joanie7663]

This is the coolest editing I have ever seen

[@kkmikelly177]

Dude you made art while making art... my head hurts trying to figure out how you did this.

[@lucyknowles185]

This is incredible! Even the way the lengths of clay fold up before attaching to the sculpture are fabric ripples is so detail orientative and effective! Outstanding.

[@sanchariroy9325]

Wow, amazing work. Unbelievable

[@wAwCreator]

great artwork, love to see more

[@yolandaw.1257]

I had to stop everything to watch this. Anyone who takes the thine to do this should get paid stupid crazy athlete figures such talent

[@FatherOfET]

Dude, if this were a Halloween decoration I would totally buy this

[@tetebery93]

This is a Masterpiece. The editing,painting and sculpting are all on point. Wow hats off to you. Excellent.😊

[@timyzaguirre5048]

from start to finish everything was so well done. Awesome work and easily one of my favorite interpretations of the grim reaper