Dynamic Figures in NatureJoel Fletcher photography

Around 1979, I began creating a series of avant-garde short films in collaboration with a group of friends. We made several surreal "dance" movies using a stop-motion animation technique called pixilation (people animation). The technique created a hauntingly beautiful effect with the human figures moving in mysterious ways around the landscape. One of these films, Mirage, can be viewed on the Early Films movie page. In addition to the process of filming the scenes, I also shot some still photos, which were completely unique in their own right. Several examples are included here. The lead performers are Mark Daniel, Diana Lim, Ben Averill, Cheryl Kapell, Erica Fletcher, and June Monteforte. Click on any thumbnail image for a larger view.

  • Dancers perform on a bluff over a river.

    BALANCE, 1979

  • Surrealistic figures in a windy field.

    WINDY, 1979

  • Male and female figures between Earth and sky.

    EARTH AND SKY, 1981

  • Dancers spin in a beautiful garden.

    SPIN, 1981

  • The attraction of opposites performed by dancers.

    GRAVITATION, 1981

  • Two dancers perform a classic pose in a garden.

    CLASSICAL, 1980

  • A lone figure jumps in a natural backdrop.

    LEAP, 1980

  • The duality of male and female mysterious figures.

    DUALITY, 1981

  • Dancers pose in a natural environment.

    MIRROR, 1981

  • Dancers in a powerful lift pose.

    LIFT, 1981

  • A visionary image of transparent figures.

    ETHEREAL, 1981

  • Four figures leap together in a magic garden.

    JUMP, 1980