Stop motion video

Stop motion video is an incredibly accessible and creative filmmaking technique that brings inanimate objects to life, frame by frame. To get started, you essentially capture a series of still photographs, making tiny adjustments to your subject between each shot. When these individual photos are played back in quick succession, typically at 12 to 24 frames per second fps, it creates the illusion of movement. Think about it like a flipbook, but with real-world objects. This method is fantastic for unleashing your imagination without needing complex animation software or extensive drawing skills. You can use anything from LEGO bricks leading to popular stop motion videos LEGO and clay figures to everyday household items.

The process often involves a few key elements: a stable camera setup even a smartphone can work wonders, especially with stop motion video iPhone apps, proper lighting to avoid flickering, and a clear vision for your story. There are numerous stop motion video app options available, making it easier than ever to dive in. These apps often provide onion-skinning features, which let you see a transparent overlay of your previous frame, ensuring smooth transitions. Whether you’re interested in making a short stop motion video for kids or exploring more complex narratives, the core principle remains the same: meticulous, incremental movement. If you’re looking to elevate your editing game after capturing your frames, consider tools like VideoStudio Ultimate. It’s a robust stop motion video editor that offers powerful features to refine your sequence, add effects, and incorporate sound. You can grab a fantastic deal with a 👉 VideoStudio Ultimate 15% OFF Coupon Limited Time FREE TRIAL Included to kickstart your creative journey. This technique opens up a world of storytelling, from crafting whimsical tales to exploring abstract concepts, and the learning curve can be surprisingly gentle. If you’ve ever seen compelling stop motion video examples or wondered about the magic behind a stop motion video game intro, this is the fundamental process at play.

The Fundamentals of Stop Motion Video Production

Diving into stop motion video production is like embarking on a mini-adventure.

It’s less about raw speed and more about meticulous precision.

The core idea is to capture an illusion of fluid motion by making tiny, deliberate changes between still photographs. Think of it as painting with time, frame by frame.

Understanding Frame Rate and Playback

The magic of motion in stop motion hinges on the frame rate.

• Frames Per Second FPS: This is the number of individual still images that will be displayed in one second of your final video.
  • Common Rates: While traditional film runs at 24 fps, stop motion often uses lower rates to create distinct effects or to reduce the sheer number of photos needed.
    • 12 fps: A popular choice for stop motion, offering a slightly choppy but often charming and characteristic look. It’s a great starting point, as it requires fewer frames than higher rates. For a one-minute video, you’d need 720 photos 12 frames/second * 60 seconds.
    • 15 fps: Provides a smoother appearance than 12 fps, a good middle ground.
    • 24 fps: Mimics cinematic motion but demands a significantly higher volume of photos and extremely precise movements. For a one-minute video, you’re looking at 1440 photos.
• Impact on Visuals: A lower frame rate emphasizes the individual movements, creating a distinct “stop motion” feel. Higher frame rates lead to smoother, more fluid animation but require more effort to achieve seamless transitions. Understanding this relationship is crucial for planning your stop motion video project.

Essential Equipment for Your Stop Motion Studio

You don’t need a Hollywood budget to get started. Many effective stop motion video examples have been created with surprisingly basic gear.

• Camera:
  • Smartphone: Modern smartphones, especially newer stop motion video iPhone models, have excellent cameras and often come with built-in time-lapse or stop motion video app functionalities. They are convenient and portable.
  • DSLR/Mirrorless Camera: Offers greater control over settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which can be crucial for consistent lighting and image quality. They also often allow for tethering to a computer.
  • Webcam: A surprisingly viable option for desktop setups, offering a fixed perspective and ease of use with dedicated software.
• Tripod/Stabilizer: This is non-negotiable. Even the slightest camera movement between frames will result in a shaky, unprofessional final product.
  • GorillaPod: Flexible tripods are great for attaching cameras to various surfaces.
  • Traditional Tripod: Essential for stable, precise positioning.
• Lighting: Consistent, even lighting is paramount.
  • Natural Light: Can be utilized, but be wary of changes in sunlight throughout the day, which can cause flicker. Best used on overcast days or in a consistent, diffused setup.
  • Artificial Light: LED lights are excellent as they don’t heat up and provide consistent illumination. Two light sources, ideally diffused, often work best to minimize harsh shadows.
• Software/App: This is your control center.
  • Smartphone Apps: Many user-friendly stop motion video app options are available e.g., Stop Motion Studio, PicPac Stop Motion. They often include onion-skinning, editing tools, and direct export.
  • Desktop Software: Dedicated programs like Dragonframe professional-grade, iStopMotion, or even general video editors like the aforementioned VideoStudio Ultimate for post-production offer more advanced features.

Setting Up Your Workspace for Optimal Results

A well-organized workspace can make or break your stop motion project.

• Stable Surface: Choose a solid, flat surface that won’t wobble or shift during production. A sturdy table or floor space is ideal.
• Background: Keep it simple initially. A plain colored sheet or cardboard can work wonders. For more advanced projects, consider building a miniature set.
• Minimizing Disturbances:
  • Foot Traffic: Set up in an area where people won’t accidentally bump your camera or set.
  • Pets/Children: While they can be great subjects for stop motion videos for kids, they might disrupt your setup. Ensure they understand the need for stillness during shooting.
  • Vibrations: Even small vibrations from walking or appliances can cause camera shake. Isolate your setup if possible.

Crafting Your Narrative: Stop Motion Video Ideas

Stop motion isn’t just about moving objects. it’s about telling a story. The best stop motion video ideas often spring from simplicity and a clear vision. Without a narrative, your meticulously moved objects become just that—moved objects.

Brainstorming Concepts and Storyboarding

Before you even touch your camera, outline your story.

• Simple Narratives: For beginners, start with a straightforward plot: an object moving from point A to B, an object transforming, or a short character interaction. Think of common themes for stop motion videos for kids, like toys going on an adventure or food “cooking” itself.
• Character Development: Even inanimate objects can have personality. What are their motivations? What emotions do they convey through their actions?
• Storyboarding: This is your visual roadmap.
  • Sketches: Draw rough sketches for each key scene or movement. Don’t worry about artistic perfection. focus on the sequence of events.
  • Notes: Add brief descriptions for each frame, detailing the action, camera angle, and any props needed.
  • Benefits: A storyboard helps you visualize the flow, identify potential issues, and ensures you capture all necessary shots, preventing wasted effort and time. It’s like a blueprint for your animated short.

Popular Themes and Subjects

The beauty of stop motion lies in its versatility.

• Everyday Objects: Your kitchen can be a goldmine. Think fruits dancing, cutlery battling, or a sandwich assembling itself. These can be surprisingly engaging and are great for stop motion video examples that beginners can emulate.
• LEGO Stop Motion: A perennial favorite. LEGO bricks are designed for manipulation and provide endless possibilities for building characters, sets, and props. Searching for “stop motion videos LEGO” will yield a treasure trove of inspiration. This is a particularly popular stop motion video game sub-genre for fans creating their own animated scenes.
• Claymation: Clay is incredibly expressive. Characters can be molded, squashed, and stretched, allowing for dynamic transformations. This technique is often seen in classic animated films.
• Paper Cut-Outs: Flat, two-dimensional animation using cut paper or cardboard. It’s simple, artistic, and can create a unique aesthetic.
• Food Animation: From fruit disappearing bite by bite to cookies decorating themselves, food offers a delicious and engaging subject matter.
• Educational Content: Stop motion can be a powerful tool for explaining complex processes visually, great for teaching stop motion videos for kids scientific concepts or historical events.

Incorporating Sound and Podcast With Islamic Guidance

Sound design elevates any video, but it’s important to approach it with mindful consideration. Software to animate images

• Sound Effects: Crucial for enhancing realism and emotional impact.
  • Foley: Record sounds yourself e.g., footsteps, object noises or use royalty-free sound libraries.
  • Placement: Carefully sync sound effects with onscreen actions to make the animation more believable.
• Voiceovers/Narration: Adds clarity to your story, especially for complex plots or educational content.
  • Clear Audio: Ensure your recording environment is quiet and your microphone quality is good.
• Podcast Islamic Perspective: While instrumental podcast is a debated topic in Islam, often leaning towards discouragement, there are beautiful and permissible alternatives that can enrich your stop motion video.
  • Nasheeds: These are vocal-only or percussion-only songs, often with inspiring lyrical content. They provide a rich auditory experience without instruments that might be considered problematic.
  • Natural Sounds: Utilize ambient sounds, nature sounds, or even silence punctuated by sound effects to create mood and atmosphere. A well-placed silence can be more impactful than continuous sound.
  • Spoken Word/Poetry: Incorporate recitations of Quranic verses where appropriate and with reverence, Islamic poetry, or ethical storytelling narratives.
  • Ethical Consideration: When selecting any audio, ensure its content aligns with Islamic values, promoting virtue, truth, and benefit, rather than engaging in frivolous or distracting themes. Focus on content that is beneficial and uplifts the spirit.

The Technical Process: Shooting Your Stop Motion Video

This is where your vision starts to become a reality.

Precision and consistency are your best friends here.

Positioning Your Camera and Subject

Stability is king.

• Camera Setup: Secure your camera on a tripod. For tabletop shoots, ensure the tripod’s legs are stable and won’t be easily bumped. If you’re using a phone, a dedicated phone tripod mount is essential.
• Subject Placement: Place your main subjects within the frame. Ensure they are well-lit and that your background is clean and free of distractions.
• Fixed Focus: Manually set your camera’s focus if possible to prevent it from refocusing between frames. This avoids the “pulsing” effect sometimes seen in automatic focus.
• Manual Exposure: If your camera allows, set your exposure settings shutter speed, ISO, aperture manually. This is vital to prevent brightness flickering in your final video. Automatic exposure will try to adjust to slight light changes, leading to an inconsistent look. This is a common issue beginners face and a key to professional-looking stop motion video examples.

The Art of Incremental Movement

This is the core skill of stop motion.

• Tiny Steps: The key is to make very, very small adjustments to your subject between each shot. Think millimeters, not centimeters. The smaller the movement, the smoother the animation will appear.
• Anticipation and Follow Through: Consider how real objects move. If a character is picking up an object, they might lean back slightly anticipation before moving forward, and then their arm might continue a tiny bit past the resting point follow through. These subtle additions add realism.
• Squash and Stretch: This classic animation principle involves exaggerating the distortion of an object to convey speed, weight, or impact. For instance, a ball might squash when it hits the ground and stretch as it flies through the air. This can add a lot of life to your stop motion video.
• Consistency: Maintain the same level of movement for similar actions. If a character takes steps of a certain size in one scene, try to replicate that pace throughout.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Flicker and Unwanted Movement

These are the two biggest enemies of a good stop motion video.

• Flicker Light Changes:
  • Consistent Lighting: Use artificial lights that provide constant illumination. Avoid natural light if it’s prone to changing e.g., sun moving, clouds passing.
  • Manual Exposure: As mentioned, setting your camera to manual exposure mode is the most critical step to prevent flicker.
  • Power Fluctuation: Ensure your lights are on a stable power source.
• Unwanted Movement:
  • Camera Shake: Use a sturdy tripod and avoid touching the camera during shooting. Use a remote shutter release or a self-timer to trigger the camera without physical contact. Many stop motion video app solutions include remote trigger options.
  • Subject Stability: Use sticky tack, modeling clay, or even small weights to secure your subjects and props to the surface. This prevents accidental shifts between frames.
  • Environmental Factors: Be aware of drafts, air conditioning, or even heavy footsteps that might cause subtle vibrations.
• Accidental Nudges: Even a slight bump to your setup can ruin a sequence. Try to work in an undisturbed area. If an accident happens, sometimes you can reposition and continue, but often it’s best to restart that segment.

Post-Production: Editing Your Stop Motion Masterpiece

Once you have your hundreds, or even thousands, of frames, the real magic of assembly begins. This is where your stop motion video editor comes into play.

Importing and Sequencing Frames

The first step is bringing your raw material into your editing environment.

• Organize Your Shots: Before importing, organize your frames into clearly named folders e.g., “Scene 1,” “Shot 2”. This will save you a massive headache later.
• Importing:
  • Dedicated Stop Motion Software: Programs like Dragonframe or iStopMotion handle this seamlessly, automatically importing sequences and letting you adjust timing.
  • Video Editors: For general video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or VideoStudio Ultimate, you’ll import your sequence of still images. Most editors have an “image sequence” import option that treats a folder of sequentially numbered images as a video clip.
• Setting Frame Rate: Once imported, ensure your editor is set to the correct frame rate e.g., 12 fps, 24 fps that you planned for your animation. This directly impacts how smooth or choppy your final stop motion video will appear.

Refining Your Animation: Timing, Loops, and Transitions

This is where you sculpt the raw footage into a compelling narrative.

• Adjusting Timing:
  • Speeding Up/Slowing Down: You might want certain actions to happen faster or slower. This is done by adjusting the duration of individual frames or groups of frames. Holding a frame for longer makes the action pause, while removing frames speeds it up.
  • Pacing: Experiment with pacing to build suspense, convey emotion, or emphasize key actions.
• Creating Loops: For repetitive actions e.g., a character walking in place, an object spinning, you can create short loops of frames and duplicate them. This saves time and ensures consistency.
• Transitions:
  • Cuts: The simplest transition, moving directly from one scene to the next.
  • Fades: A gradual fade to black or white can indicate the passage of time or a significant change in mood.
  • Creative Transitions: Stop motion offers unique possibilities. An object might transform into the next scene, or a character might “walk through” a transition.
• Onion Skinning During Production: While primarily a shooting tool in stop motion video app or software, understanding its role is key. It allows you to see the previous frame as a transparent overlay, helping you make precise, smooth movements and ensure your objects maintain their form.

Adding Visual Effects and Audio Enhancements

This layer adds polish and depth to your stop motion video.

• Color Correction and Grading:
  • Consistency: Ensure color and brightness are consistent across all scenes. Minor flicker can sometimes be mitigated here.
  • Mood: Use color grading to establish the mood – warm tones for cheerful scenes, cooler tones for somber ones.
• Adding Text and Titles: Create clear, legible titles and credits. Consider animated text overlays to add to the stop motion aesthetic.
• Sound Design Reiterated: As discussed, this is paramount for impact.
  • Sound Effects: Layer appropriate sound effects e.g., footsteps, impacts, magic sounds to match the visual actions.
  • Voiceovers: Integrate any narration or dialogue.
  • Background Audio: Use background audio that aligns with Islamic guidelines, such as permissible nasheeds, nature sounds, or ambient sounds to enhance the atmosphere without using instrumental podcast. Remember, the goal is to elevate the storytelling in a way that is beneficial and avoids anything that might distract from remembrance of Allah.
• Using a Robust Editor: A powerful stop motion video editor like VideoStudio Ultimate which you can get with a 👉 VideoStudio Ultimate 15% OFF Coupon Limited Time FREE TRIAL Included can handle all these post-production tasks, from precise frame timing to adding complex effects and audio tracks. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for both beginners and more advanced users.

Showcasing Your Work: Exporting and Sharing

You’ve put in the effort, now it’s time to share your creation with the world. Watercolor painting from photo

Exporting Your Video in Optimal Settings

Getting the right export settings ensures your stop motion video looks great across different platforms.

• Resolution:
  • HD 1920×1080: A common standard for online video.
  • 4K 3840×2160: If your source images are high resolution and you want to future-proof your video, 4K is an option, though it results in much larger file sizes.
• Codec:
  • H.264 MP4: The most widely supported and recommended codec for web video. It offers a good balance of quality and file size.
• Bitrate: This determines the amount of data encoded per second.
  • Higher Bitrate: Better quality, larger file size.
  • Lower Bitrate: Lower quality, smaller file size.
  • Recommendation: For 1080p, a bitrate of 8-12 Mbps is generally good for online sharing. For 4K, aim for 35-45 Mbps.
• Frame Rate Consistency: Ensure the export frame rate matches the frame rate you set during editing e.g., 12 fps, 24 fps to avoid playback issues.
• File Size Considerations: While quality is important, remember that excessively large files can be difficult to upload and stream. Optimize your settings for the intended platform.

Platforms for Sharing Your Stop Motion Video

Where will your masterpiece find its audience?

• YouTube: The dominant video-sharing platform.
  • Audience: Huge, diverse audience. Great for reaching broad demographics.
  • Features: Monetization options, detailed analytics, strong search capabilities.
  • Tips: Use strong titles and descriptions including keywords like “stop motion video examples,” “stop motion videos for kids,” “stop motion video game” if relevant, and create compelling thumbnails.
• Vimeo: Known for its higher quality and more professional community.
  • Audience: Often attracts filmmakers, animators, and creative professionals.
  • Features: Less ad-heavy, good for showcasing portfolios.
• TikTok/Instagram Reels: Ideal for short, engaging stop motion video content.
  • Audience: Younger, highly engaged, prefers quick, visually striking content.
  • Tips: Focus on concise storytelling, trending sounds if permissible as discussed earlier, and strong visual hooks.
• Personal Website/Portfolio: For showcasing your best work in a curated environment.
  • Control: Complete control over presentation and branding.
• Film Festivals/Online Competitions: Look for opportunities to submit your work to stop motion or animation festivals for recognition.

Building an Audience and Engaging With Viewers

Sharing is just the beginning. engaging is key to growth.

• Promote Your Video: Share links on your social media channels, relevant forums, and communities.
• Interact with Comments: Respond to comments, answer questions, and build a relationship with your viewers.
• Collaborate: Partner with other stop motion artists or creators to cross-promote each other’s work.
• Analyze Performance: Use platform analytics to understand what resonates with your audience. Which stop motion video ideas performed best? What was the average watch time? This data helps you refine future projects.
• Consistency: Regularly creating and sharing content keeps your audience engaged and attracts new viewers.

Advanced Techniques and Creative Possibilities

Once you’ve mastered the basics, a whole new world of stop motion opens up.

Compositing and Visual Effects

Beyond simple cuts, integrating other elements can dramatically enhance your stop motion video.

• Green Screen/Chroma Key: Shoot your subject in front of a solid color green or blue background, then use editing software to remove that color and replace it with a different background. This allows for incredible flexibility in creating diverse environments without building elaborate sets. Imagine a LEGO character flying through space, or a clay figure exploring an ancient city.
• Digital Integration: Combine your stop motion animation with live-action footage or digital effects. This could involve adding dust particles, glowing eyes, or even subtle CGI elements to your physical animation.
• Wire Removal: Often, animators use wires or rigs to make objects float or perform impossible actions. In post-production, a stop motion video editor can digitally erase these wires, making the magic seem seamless. This is a common technique in professional stop motion video examples.
• Particle Effects: Add digital particles smoke, sparks, rain to enhance realism or add fantastical elements.

Incorporating Multi-Plane Techniques

Adding depth and complex movement can make your stop motion video truly stand out.

• Layered Sets: Instead of a flat background, create a set with multiple planes of depth. For example, foreground elements closer to the camera, middle ground elements, and background elements far away. Moving elements on different planes at different speeds parallax effect creates a sense of depth and scale, much like how our eyes perceive distance.
• Camera Movement: While difficult, moving your camera e.g., sliding it on a track for a dolly shot, or pivoting for a pan between frames can add incredible dynamism. Each tiny camera movement must be as precise as your subject movements to avoid jarring jumps. This requires a dedicated camera slider or rig.
• Zooming/Reframing: Instead of moving the camera, you can subtly zoom in or out, or reframe your shot, between frames. This can direct viewer attention or add intensity to a scene.
• Lighting Changes: Beyond static lighting, consider subtle changes in light between frames to simulate time passing e.g., a sunrise or sunset or to create dramatic shadows that move with your character.

Expanding Your Creative Horizons

Don’t limit yourself to traditional animation.

• Pixelation: Animating live actors frame by frame. This creates a jerky, distinct effect and can be incredibly powerful for short narratives. Think of actors “teleporting” across a room.
• Object Animation: Bring everyday objects to life, giving them human characteristics or using them to tell abstract stories. A common stop motion video idea is to have household items assemble themselves.
• Time-Lapse Integration: Combine elements of stop motion with time-lapse photography where many frames are taken over a long period, showing gradual changes like plants growing or clouds moving for interesting effects.
• Rotoscope Integration: Trace over live-action footage frame by frame with drawings or objects to create a unique hybrid style.
• Interactive Stop Motion: Some artists create stop motion videos where the viewer’s input e.g., clicking on a screen affects the animation.
• Collaborative Projects: Work with other artists to create a shared stop motion video. This can involve animating different scenes or characters, then combining them. This builds community and expands creative output.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is stop motion video?

Stop motion video is an animation technique where an object is physically moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the sequence of frames is played back rapidly.

How many frames per second fps are typically used in stop motion?

Commonly, stop motion videos use between 12 to 24 frames per second fps. 12 fps gives a classic, slightly jerky stop motion look, while 24 fps provides smoother, more cinematic motion but requires more frames.

What equipment do I need to start making stop motion videos?

You’ll need a camera smartphone, DSLR, or webcam, a stable tripod, consistent lighting, and a stop motion video app or editing software. Best photo editing ai

Can I make stop motion video with my iPhone?

Yes, absolutely! Modern iPhones have excellent cameras, and there are many dedicated stop motion video app options available like Stop Motion Studio that make it very easy to create high-quality stop motion videos directly on your device.

What are some good stop motion video ideas for beginners?

Simple ideas include animating a LEGO character walking, making a drawing come to life, having fruit peel itself, or animating small toys having a conversation.

How do I prevent flicker in my stop motion video?

To prevent flicker, use consistent artificial lighting, set your camera to manual exposure shutter speed, ISO, aperture to avoid automatic adjustments, and use a remote shutter release to avoid bumping the camera.

What is “onion skinning” in stop motion?

Onion skinning is a feature in stop motion video app or software that displays a translucent overlay of the previous frame or frames over your live view. This helps you make precise, incremental movements and ensure smooth animation by seeing exactly where your object was in the last shot.

What’s the best stop motion video editor for post-production?

For beginners, many stop motion apps have built-in editing features. For more advanced editing, tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or VideoStudio Ultimate which offers a 👉 VideoStudio Ultimate 15% OFF Coupon Limited Time FREE TRIAL Included are excellent choices for sequencing frames, adding effects, and sound.

How do I add sound to my stop motion video?

You can add sound effects, voiceovers, and background audio in your video editing software.

For background audio, consider using nasheeds, natural sounds, or spoken word that aligns with Islamic guidelines, rather than instrumental podcast.

Are there good stop motion videos for kids to watch or make?

Yes, many children’s shows use stop motion e.g., Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep. Making stop motion is also a fantastic educational and creative activity for kids, using toys like LEGOs or clay.

What are common subjects for stop motion videos LEGO?

LEGO stop motion often features minifigures going on adventures, brick-built vehicles driving, or even recreating scenes from movies or creating original stop motion video game narratives.

How can I make my stop motion movements smoother?

Make smaller movements between frames. Corel website creator

The more incremental the changes, the more fluid the final animation will appear. Also, ensure your camera is absolutely still.

Can I use a regular digital camera for stop motion?

Yes, any digital camera that allows you to manually control exposure and focus will work well.

DSLRs and mirrorless cameras offer excellent quality and control.

What are some advanced stop motion techniques?

Advanced techniques include green screen compositing, wire removal, multi-plane animation for depth, and incorporating camera movements like pans and dollies between frames.

How long does it take to make a stop motion video?

The time varies greatly.

A short 30-second stop motion could take several hours including setup, shooting hundreds of frames, and editing, while a longer, more complex project could take days, weeks, or even months.

What’s the difference between stop motion and time-lapse?

Stop motion involves moving objects incrementally between frames to create animation.

Time-lapse captures still frames over a long period to show gradual changes like a sunrise or flower blooming but doesn’t typically involve manually moving subjects.

How do I share my stop motion video online?

You can upload your finished stop motion video to platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, or Instagram Reels. Ensure your export settings resolution, codec, bitrate are optimized for the chosen platform.

What is pixelation in stop motion?

Pixelation is a stop motion technique where live actors or people are animated frame by frame. Oil painting accessories

It creates a distinct, jerky, yet often humorous or surreal effect as humans appear to move in an animated, stop-motion fashion.

Can I add special effects to my stop motion video?

Yes, most video editing software allows you to add visual effects like color correction, digital particles, text overlays, and even simple CGI elements to enhance your stop motion video.

Where can I find good stop motion video examples for inspiration?

YouTube is a treasure trove of stop motion examples, from professional shorts to amateur creations. Search for terms like “stop motion animation,” “claymation,” “LEGO stop motion,” or specific stop motion video ideas to find a wide range of inspiring work.