A zoetrope vinyl record combines recorded music with animated artwork. When the record spins at the correct speed, the individual images printed around its surface can appear to move. However, the animation usually looks like a blur when viewed normally. To see it properly, you need a phone camera or a strobe light to visually separate the individual animation frames.
The easiest method is to spin the record on a turntable while viewing it through a phone camera set to 30 frames per second.
What You Will Need
Before getting started, gather the following:
- A zoetrope vinyl record
- A turntable capable of playing 33⅓ or 45 RPM
- A smartphone or digital camera
- A bright lamp, LED light or other direct light source
- A phone tripod or stable surface, if available
Step 1: Check the Correct Turntable Speed
Place the zoetrope record carefully on your turntable.
Most zoetrope records are designed to spin at 33⅓ RPM, but some are designed for 45 RPM. Check the record label, packaging or manufacturer’s instructions before beginning. Using the wrong speed may cause the animation to drift, move too quickly or remain blurry.
Zoetrope record manufacturers generally recommend using the speed specified for the individual design rather than assuming that every animation is made for the same setting.
If you are only testing the animation, you do not need to lower the turntable’s stylus onto the record. Simply start the platter and allow the record to spin.
Step 2: Adjust the Lighting
Reduce unnecessary room lighting to eliminate glare and distractions, but do not leave the record itself in darkness.
Position a bright, direct light above or beside the turntable so that it clearly illuminates the animated portion of the record. A desk lamp, photography light or strong LED light usually works well. Daylight may also produce excellent results.
Bright lighting is especially important because most phone cameras automatically use a faster shutter speed when more light is available. A faster shutter speed reduces motion blur and makes the individual images on the record appear sharper.
Try angling the light slightly instead of pointing it directly downward if you notice reflections on the record’s surface.
Step 3: Prepare Your Phone Camera
Open the camera application on your phone and select Video mode.
Go into the video settings and choose 30 FPS, or 30 frames per second. This is the standard starting point recommended for many zoetrope vinyl designs. Blood Records, for example, recommends placing its zoetrope picture discs on a turntable at 33 RPM and using a phone’s standard 30 FPS setting.
Some specialty records may be designed for a different frame rate, so always follow any instructions included with the record.
Position the phone approximately one foot above or away from the animated artwork. Adjust the distance until the complete animation is visible without using excessive digital zoom.
For the clearest picture:
- Tap the animation on your phone screen to set the focus.
- Lock the focus, when your camera provides that option.
- Lower the exposure slightly if the image looks washed out.
- Rest the phone on a tripod or another stable surface.
- Clean the camera lens before recording.
On many phones, exposure can be reduced by tapping the screen and dragging the brightness or sun icon downward.
Step 4: Start the Turntable
Set the turntable to the required speed and allow the record to reach a steady rotation.
Watch the spinning artwork through your phone’s screen. The animation may become visible immediately. You can either view it live through the camera or begin recording and watch the completed video afterward.
Keep the camera still and aimed as directly at the record as possible. Small changes in the camera’s height, angle or distance can noticeably improve the animation.
Step 5: Fine-Tune the Image
If the animation is visible but blurry, add more direct light before changing other settings. More light allows the camera to capture each animation frame more clearly.
A manual camera application can provide additional control. When available, try setting the shutter speed to approximately 1/1000 of a second, then adjust the exposure or ISO until the picture is bright enough. This faster shutter setting can reduce motion blur, although it requires strong lighting.
If the animation appears to move forward or backward instead of remaining relatively stable, check that:
- The turntable is set to the correct speed.
- The phone is recording at the intended frame rate.
- The turntable is maintaining a consistent rotation.
- The phone has not automatically switched to 60 FPS or slow-motion mode.
A slight amount of movement may be part of the intended design.
Can You Listen to the Record at the Same Time?
If the zoetrope disc is a playable music record, you can normally listen to it while viewing the animation. Once the platter has reached the correct speed, carefully cue the stylus as you would with any other record.
Make sure the phone, tripod and lighting equipment are positioned far enough away that they cannot fall onto the turntable or interfere with the tonearm.
If you are only demonstrating or photographing the animated artwork, leaving the stylus raised helps avoid unnecessary record wear.
Alternative Method: Using a Strobe Light
A zoetrope animation can also be viewed directly with the naked eye by illuminating the spinning record with a strobe light or compatible strobe-light application.
For many designs, the strobe should be set to approximately 30 Hz. Darken the room, start the turntable and direct the flashing light toward the animated portion of the record. The flashes visually separate the printed frames, allowing the movement to appear without looking through a camera.
Safety notice: Flashing and strobe lights can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Anyone who is sensitive to flashing lights should avoid the strobe method and use the phone-camera method instead.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
The artwork still looks like a blur
Add more direct light, lower the camera exposure and make sure the phone is set to 30 FPS rather than 60 FPS.
The animation is moving too quickly
Verify that the turntable is using the speed specified for the record. Try switching between 33⅓ and 45 RPM only when the original instructions are unavailable.
The video is shaky
Place the phone on a tripod, shelf or stable stand. Avoid holding it directly over the spinning record.
There is too much glare
Move the light to one side or change the camera angle slightly. Clean the record only with an appropriate vinyl-cleaning product and method.
The animation looks dark
Move the light closer, add a second light or increase the camera exposure slightly. Avoid increasing exposure so much that the artwork becomes washed out.
Watch the Artwork Come to Life
Once the turntable speed, camera frame rate and lighting are properly coordinated, the separate images printed on the record will merge into a continuous animated sequence. Start with the record’s specified speed, a camera set to 30 FPS and plenty of bright, direct light. From there, small adjustments to focus, exposure, distance and camera angle should produce a clear and impressive zoetrope effect.