1) I'd assume so, but there are so many colors of clay, I'd try to find the prefabricated color first, because I'm not sure how painting will hold up (I imagine it would take forever to dry {unless you are using water-based clay}).
2) Oil-based clay is the only clay that can be used for animating, unless you are planning to sculpt multiple characters for each movement. The other type is water-based clay (to my knowledge), and that dries.
3) I recommend animating at 24 fps. That is the industry standard for big screen films. It is also easy to shoot in two's with 24 fps, since that comes out smooth as well.

i use the same stuff cause thats i all ive seen in the shops here in aus. 24fps is the usual