Created by Aaron Sorenson for HouseSpecial, “Jailbreak” is another spooky stop motion delight. The story is funny and charming, but it’s the craftsmanship involved in this piece that is the real star of the show. Picasso inspired puppets roam a dark and desolate German expressionist cityscape, all in black and white. Brought to life by the lovely animation of Suzanne Twining, and filled with shocking angles and intricate details, every inch of the screen has something to offer.

There is something about dark storytelling that lends itself so well to stop motion, and “Jailbreak” is a perfect example of why. It’s both dramatic and funny, frightening and sweet. It is so satisfying to see a disturbing thought transformed into something endearing. Torture, imprisonment, pain and suffering all become much more palatable when we shrink them down and make toys of them. When you combine sinister storytelling with miniatures and puppets you get an enchanting juxtaposition, and I’ll be damned if that isn’t the cutest lil’ dominatrix I’ve ever seen.

Behind the scenes with a motion-control pass:

Blog by Natalie James