‘Nothing replicates the rustic, magical energy of stop-motion,’ says animator Alistair Nicholls [Video]

No method of creativity is as tactile as claymation. You can literally see the artist’s fingerprints on the characters and props as the story unfolds in tiny increments of movement, with every detail finely controlled by the animator’s hands. True, it might be quicker and cleaner to use 3D tools, or maybe AI, but neither can really match the captivating heart and endeavour that goes into even the shortest production by Alistair Nicholls and others like him.

Based in Norwich, Alistair studied animation, but his stop-motion skills are largely self-taught. He has toiled for his art, which is time-consuming and meticulous, posting animations on Instagram and cold-contacting potential clients until eventually the commissions started coming through.

“It was a struggle initially as I didn’t know anyone in the creative industry, so I had to push to make connections and get my work seen. So far, no one has realised I …