Short Animated FIlm, 'The Sock Thief’

Laguna College of Art & Design (LCAD) 2nd Annual Summer Animation Master Class

"LCAD’s 2nd Annual Summer Animation Master Class, which concluded on August 3, 2013 was instructed by renowned special effects, stop motion and puppet ace, Stephen Chiodo. Chihodo oversaw the production of The Sock Thief, a five-minute stop-motion animated short comprised of nearly eight thousand frames, all shot in 4k Ultra HD. The Sock Thief will be entered in a variety of international film festivals as well.

When asked about the recent project, Pruiksma added, “I was not prepared for the level of quality and professionalism that is exhibited in this summer’s final short. The students were actually putting to use the principles taught in their classes in LCAD animation in this Master Class. I was completely impressed with the designs and in the performances of the characters portrayed in The Sock Thief. Everything from the sets to the motions to the E-motions of the characters was completely believable. The characters thought and lived beyond their composition of wires, latex and lint. In short, I found the second Master Class to be a tremendous success and I could not be more proud of the work of our students than I am when I watched it in its final version with the fantastic score in place.” "- Posted in the Laguna Beach Patch, by Rich Kane , August 13, 2013.

James McKee Smith composed the score for The Sock Thief and worked closely with our Director, Ed Peterson to enhance the outcome of the finished short film. Some of James' film works include - Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, The Bourne Identity, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Happy Feet, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and many more.

Stephen Chiodo is known for his work on Team America: World Police (2004), Elf (2003) and Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988). With brothers, Charles and Edward, they formed Chiodo Bros. Production, Inc. that specialize in creating amazing characters using stop-motion animation, live puppetry, make-up effects, animatronic props and costumes. Stephen shared his award winning techniques with the LCAD Master Class.

Watch "The Sock Thief - Animation Short" below