In addition to traditional glove and rod puppets, we occasionally build “poser” puppets. Articulated mainly for photo shoots and specific shots usually, this poser was commissioned by artist Lucien Smith as part of an art installation celebrating artist David Hammons.
In addition to creating the poser puppet and custom clothing, we also worked closely with the client to design the puppet’s overall look to work with his unique vision.
The final approved artwork for the David Hammons Poser
One of our specialties is translating 2D characters into 3D puppets. In 2D animation, often a character is designed to look one way from one angle and another, completely unrelated way from another. The real trick is striking that delicate balance so that our puppets can exist in three dimensions — while staying on model.
Captain Caveman original artwork
Captain CAVEMAAAAAN!
Ever wonder what’s under all that fur?
No detail is too small when making a puppet — even his cape’s spots are on-model.
You don’t just walk into a store and buy Captain Caveman’s club — everything has to be built by hand!
Captain Caveman mugs for the camera. “Unga Bunga.”
Here’s how the completed Captain Caveman puppet left our studio.
Much like the Captain Caveman puppet, we also built puppets for Ricochet Rabbit and Deputy Droop-a-long for Warner Bros. Animation. As with all 2D to 3D puppet conversions, we pride ourselves on walking the fine line between staying true to the original source material and making a functional puppet.
A typical scene from Hanna-Barbara’s “Ricochet Rabbit”
A “Ricochet Rabbit” model sheet
Ricochet Rabbit puppet
Ricochet Rabbit puppet
Ricochet Rabbit puppet
Ricochet Rabbit puppet
Deputy Droop-a-long puppet
Deputy Droop-a-long puppet
Deputy Droop-a-long puppet
Deputy Droop-a-long puppet
Deputy Droop-a-long puppet
Deputy Droop-a-long puppet
From CONCEPT to SCREEN: PUPPET DESIGN, FABRICATION and PERFORMANCE for the TELEVISION, FILM and LIVE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES