Tim Hittle: The Quiet Life

Thursday, 26 May 2011 11:34
Last Updated on Monday, 29 November 1999 18:00
Written by Marc Spess

Tim Hittle and Jay Clay

Tim Hittle and Brian Kearney have created the third installment of the award winning Jay Clay series.

The film is called The Quiet Life and features Jay Clay, his dog Blue, a new friend and a new skeleton foe. The Quiet Life took ten years to make and was shot on 16mm film and finished digitally. Tims animation style is very smooth, subtle, natural and lively. The story telling is quirky, fun and to the point. You're sure to be inspired! You can watch the new film below:

Dim lights

Tim now works for Pixar but obviously still loves to animate in stop motion. It shows in every frame. After you watch The Quiet Life make sure to visit the official Jay Clay web site. There are behind the scenes galleries, more on the history of Jay Clay and the other two films in the triage. Canhead and the Potato Hunter. You can find his official web site here, and also the Vimeo site he create over here.

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WOW
written by Stephen P, May 27, 2011

I remember seeing the first installment a while back - really amazing work! So fluid. I wonder how he keeps the puppets attached to the set. Do you think he drills holes into those plank of wood and uses tie-downs in the feet???

Also the armature looked like it was made of wooden rods and wire - how do you think it stays in plays with out swinging back? Maybe the plastelina holds it?

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written by Marc Spess, May 27, 2011

Yeah, I'm pretty certain he drills holes in the set floor to insert some tie down threaded rods.

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written by Stephen P, May 27, 2011

I'm sure you're right Mark. I was studying the pictures but I really can't see any holes drlled, and the wood is really thick in some parts. Maybe he's putting a screw through the top of the foot and then re-moulding the clay on top of the foot. Also Jay walks all over different things. Maybe it's all rigged? I really don't know:/

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written by Marc Spess, May 27, 2011

Hey Stephen, there is a chance that he nailed something in from above the feet. But most animators will whip out the drill and just make a small hole. That wood has a lot of texture so it would be hard to see anything unless you look straight down. Tim doesn't seem to have any pictures of the armature, it would give more clues how he made those feet.

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written by Dan, May 30, 2011

Beautiful animation! I absolutely love it!
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written by Jack, May 30, 2011

Right on! Very inspiring indeed. It has that really old quality film look to it.
How do you cover up a hole after you've drilled it for feet?

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written by Marc Spess, May 30, 2011

Hey Jack, to cover the hole you can put clay in it that is the same color as the floor. Or tape it and paint it. Both ways work great.

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written by Jack, May 31, 2011

Alright, thank you Marc! I will give that a try.
It said on Tim Hittle's page he did work for Nightmare before Xmas, I can defiantly see some Jack Skellington in Jay Clay's expressions.

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