Inside Adam Elliot's Claymation Realm
I recently stumbled into the wild world of claymation and it has been a great experience. I’ve always been into stop-motion stuff, binge-watching random shorts on YouTube but I didn’t really get how deep the artistry goes. Like, I knew claymation was a thing, but I wasn’t tuned into how it works that much. Then, earlier this year, Memoir of a Snail kept showing up on my Instagram Reels and I was like, “Okay, fine, I’ll check it out.” And wow, it’s so freaking heartwarming, I was extremely hooked!.
This vacation, I went all in on claymation and now I’m totally obsessed. Everything about it, the quirky characters, the handmade vibe is just so cool. I can’t keep all this to myself, so let’s talk about Adam Elliot and his unique, handcrafted universe. He is something that I deeply admire, his works, with its bittersweet narratives and unusual aesthetic has opened my eyes to the profound artistry of claymation.
Independent Stop Motion Animator, Visual Artist, Writer, Director and Filmmaker
Adam Benjamin Elliot is an Australian animator and filmmaker based in Melbourne, known for his distinctive stop-motion animation style. He creates what he calls "Clayographies," a term he coined to describe his clay-animated biographical films that blend tragicomedy, focusing on bittersweet themes and psychological character development, often inspired by his family and friends. Elliot’s films, produced by his company Adam Elliot Clayographies, use traditional in-camera techniques without digital effects, emphasizing handcrafted sets and characters. He has created seven films so far, Memoir of a Snail, Mary and Max, Harvie Krumpet, Ernie Biscuit, Brother, Cousin and Uncle. He has won numerous awards and recognitions with his masterpieces.
"I love using my hands, I love drawing, I love pencils, paper, clay, paint, cardboard and ever since I was a little kid, I was always making things and it's that real tangible tactile nature of stopmotion."
I come across his interview with Creative Screenwriting and it totally blew my mind. When he was asked why he picked claymation out of all the artistic paths he could’ve taken, he said, “We’re not limited by actors, locations, or the weather. We get to play god and we get to have total creative control and total creative freedom.”. He got final cut on all his films, which he says is super liberating. That kind of freedom to shape his works is just inspiring. I totally see myself in him. I thrive when I've got complete creative freedom to work on my own art, whether its painting or writing. When I'm boxed in by limits, its like my brain just shuts down and its so hard to create. My ideas are bold, big and sometimes all over the place which feels like a both a blessing and a curse.
Also what really gets me is how much he loves the hands-on part of it. He’s all about that tactile vibe, saying on one of his newspaper interview “I love using my hands. I love clay. I find kneading clay very therapeutic and primeval. I love to draw every day. Drawing is my yoga. It’s my meditation.”. It’s like art is his oxygen and you can feel that passion in every wobbly, handcrafted frame of his work. I mean, who wouldn’t admire someone living and breathing their craft like that?. I really felt happy whenever I meet people who just love what they are doing, its so real, so pure and nothing beats that vibe. Their passion sparks something in me!.
Left to Right - Memoir of a Snail (2024), Mary and Max (2009)
But the real hook for me is his characters. They’re all beautifully flawed, dealing with mental health struggles which is a big theme in his films like Memoir of a Snail or Mary and Max. He puts it perfectly, “A lot of my protagonists are flawed somehow, whether it’s physical or mental. We’ve got to embrace these cracks. We all have them and learn to live with them, love them, and embrace other people’s cracks as well.”. I got a special love with characters like that, the ones who aren’t perfect, who mess up and keep going. They feel so real and relatable, way more than some polished characters. His stories tackle heavy stuff like mental health in a way that’s light and clear enough for even kids to understand which is honestly genius. When a director like Elliot pours so much heart into writing flawed characters, you can’t help but connect with them on a deep level.
Left to Right - Memoir of a Snail (2024), Mary and Max (2009)
What’s wild is how Elliot balances the heavy stuff with hope. He’s not just trying to leave you crying in a corner. In that same interview, he said, “I certainly want my audiences to be an emotional wreck by the end of the film, but I don’t want to depress them. I want them leaving the cinema uplifted and nourished.” And that’s exactly what his films do. You go through this rollercoaster feeling of laughter, tears, maybe a bit of an existential questioning but you walk away feeling oddly inspired. Like, yeah, life’s messy but there’s beauty in that mess. Some of the lines from his movies that I truly love are,
"I've learnt that the worst cages are the one's we create for ourselves. Your cage has never been locked but your fears has kept you trapped. Set yourself free."
"People think I'm tackless and rude. I cannot understand how being honest can be improper. Maybe that's why I don't have friends."
I admire how his characters embrace unconventional lives, setting them apart from others in a beautifully unique way. They navigate the world they struggle to comprehend, much like how we sometimes find our own world challenging or alienating, unable to fully connect with others. Their existence is a captivating paradox, reflecting the complexities of our lives.
Via ACMI - Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Another thing is that Elliot’s films are not predictable. I’ve watched hundreds of movies and usually, I can guess the patterns like how the story’s gonna flow, what’s coming next. But Elliot’s work? No way. He’s got this knack for making his stories stick in your head while feeling totally fresh. In that same interview, he said, “I think it’s a writer and director’s job to push the boundaries, particularly in stop-motion, to do stuff that no one else is doing.” And he’s doing it really great! His stories twist in ways you don’t see coming, blending quirky humor with gut-punch emotions that linger long after the credits roll.
His Claymation Realm is packed with awesome storytelling and unique perspectives, shining a light on everyday people from all walks of life especially those with disabilities, challenges or past tragedies. His films dive into the lives of characters dealing with stuff like autism, Tourette’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, deafness and more. It’s super rare to see disabilities portrayed this well in art, specifically claymation and Elliot nails it. You can tell he studies these conditions closely, weaving their behaviors and struggles into his characters so authentically that they feel like real people, not stereotypes.
Top - Uncle, Cousin, Brother, Ernie
Bottom - Max, Mary, Harvie, Grace
Take his early trilogy which are, Uncle (1996), Cousin (1998) and Brother (1999). Uncle has a limp and quirky behaviors hinting at physical and mental challenges while Cousin deals with a chronic cough and implied emotional struggles from a tough life. Brother stands out with a childlike demeanor, suggesting a cognitive disability that makes his story so tender. Then there’s Harvie Krumpet (2003), the Oscar-winning short about a guy hit with Tourette’s Syndrome, testicular cancer and later Alzheimer’s, but Harvie’s quirky optimism makes him unforgettable. In Mary and Max (2009), Mary grapples with social anxiety, implied autism traits and body image issues while Max navigates Asperger’s Syndrome, obesity and intense anxiety, their pen-pal bond showing how flaws can connect us. Ernie Biscuit (2015) brings in Ernie, a deaf taxidermist whose hearing loss caused by a traumatic childhood bullying incident shapes his quiet, quirky journey like when he bonds with a blind woman through Morse code. And in Memoir of a Snail (2024), Grace deals with a hoarding disorder and implied depression, her story hitting that heartfelt, bittersweet note Elliot’s known for.
Here are the seven masterpieces of Adam Elliot which are totally accessible to everyone. His shorts are posted on his Youtube Channel while his movies are free on other streaming apps or websites.
Uncle (1996)
A quirky short about a simple man’s quiet life, Uncle follows a loner with a limp and odd behaviors, hinting at physical and mental challenges. Through claymation, we see his daily routines and bittersweet memories, blending humor with subtle tragedy. Elliot’s debut sets the tone for his “Clayographies,” focusing on ordinary folks with flaws, delivered in a raw, handcrafted style you’d find super relatable.
Cousin (1998)
Cousin dives into the life of a man with a chronic cough and implied emotional struggles, shaped by a tough upbringing. This short, part of Elliot’s trilogy, explores family ties and resilience through quirky, poignant moments. Its dark palette and ambient sounds create a moody vibe while the flawed character’s story feels real and unpredictable, sticking with you like Elliot’s best work.
Brother (1999)
Closing Elliot’s trilogy, Brother follows a childlike man with a cognitive disability, living a simple life with his family. The story’s gentle humor and heartbreak highlight his vulnerability and bonds, told through tactile claymation. Its slow pacing and focus on inner struggles make it quietly profound.
Harvie Krumpet (2003)
Harvie Krumpet tracks Harvie, a Polish immigrant with Tourette’s Syndrome, cancer and later Alzheimer’s, facing a wild string of misfortunes like lightning strikes and loss. This Oscar-winning short mixes dark humor with hope, as Harvie’s quirky optimism shines through. Its deep, simple story and wobbly aesthetic hit hard, leaving you uplifted despite the existential dread.
Mary and Max (2009)
Mary and Max is a feature about an unlikely pen-pal friendship between Mary, an Australian girl with social anxiety and implied autism traits and Max, a New Yorker with Asperger’s, obesity and anxiety. Their letters weave a tale of loneliness and connection with Elliot’s moody palette and heartfelt tone. You’d love its unpredictable, emotional depth that feels real and sticks in your mind.
Ernie Biscuit (2015)
Ernie Biscuits follows Ernie, a deaf Parisian taxidermist who lost his hearing in a childhood bullying incident. A dead pigeon sparks a quirky journey of lost love and misadventure, landing him in Australia. This lighter short with its monochrome style and Morse code bonding, delivers the surprising relatable storytelling you vibe with.
Memoir of a Snail (2024)
Memoir of a Snail tells the story of Grace, a shy woman with a hoarding disorder and implied depression navigating loss and trauma. Her quirky bond with a snail and reflections on her tough childhood create a bittersweet tale. It is heartwarming and its slow, deep pacing with dark tones. It is a standout in Elliot’s unpredictable, soul-stirring filmography.
I find deep comfort in the existence of both the author and his characters, who beautifully embody the diverse ways we experience life. They remind us that despite our differences good or evil, life can be seen as profoundly beautiful. At times, I feel like life is meaningless as if nothing truly matters at the grand scheme. The world will keep spinning even at times of my sense being lost or being enveloped by darkness. Yet, I also believe life is meant to be lived fully embracing every moment while accepting the paradox that, in the end nothing may truly matter.
" We have over 200 characters in the film and every single one of them has been handmade. There's nothing that has been 3d printed or mass produced, they are individually bespoke little puppets. "
Imagine creating crafting hundreds of characters, each with meticulously designed props, intricate backdrops and compelling narratives, storyboarding and refining every quirky details demonstrates an extraordinary dedication to art. For years, Elliot and his team pour their hearts producing films and shorts, driven by a passion for creation and joy. From the first Instagram reel of Memoir of a Snail that hooked me, my dive into the Adam Elliot's claymation world has been nothing short of transformative. What began as casual curiosity about stop-motion has blossomed into a deep admiration for his work. His movies reminds me that our imperfections is what makes us human. I'm endlessly inspired to keep creating, keep feeling and keep finding beauty in life.
