PRE PRODUCTION | Puppetbuilding

Pre Production of characters in stop motion animation films

Mikaylas' Tests and designs: "Bound by fear" - Hugh and Leo

Story synopsis:

Bound by fear is a story about a book binder, named Hugh, and his creation, leo, who work together to battle the dark shadows that are consuming all the books in the bookstore.

Hugh:

Hugh is a kind quiet man who is always in control of everything that he does in his life. He is a creative artist but with a strict routine of book binding artistry and selling his books. Hugh's character will be constructed from an Aardman armature, silicon hands and feet, a plasticine head and clothed in hand sewn fabric.

Leo:

Leo is a little lizard like creature who has a curious nature and a habit of getting in trouble. He has a fierce determination but is not the bravest of fellows. Leo will be constructed out of plasticine to allow more flexible movement and will allow him to be morphed into different shapes.

Lucy's tests and designs: "The Hoard" - Peg and Tire

Synopsis: A hoarder rescues an abandoned tire off the street.

I envisioned Peg (the hoarder) as a energetic opportunist who finds value in objects discarded as junk. Using the thrill of collecting treasures to conceal negative feelings, she gives loving promises to the neglected tire; dreaming up ways to re-purpose/up-cycle. The sad tire becomes inflated by her affection, excited at the prospect of a new purpose in life.

This video is a stop-motion animation tests for armature puppet movement and lip Sync. This was my first attempt of bringing to life a puppet with it’s own voice and physical presence. Inspired by a hereditary addiction to op-shops, the hoarder in Lucy comes to life through Peg and Tire.