Stop Frame Puppet Model Making

Stop frame puppets represent both a visual character and a practical tool for animation performance. Puppet making therefore requires a wide range of specialist creative, handcrafting and technical engineering skills; from mould making and manual machining to felting and fur work. As I work as a stop motion character designer, puppet maker and animator, I can design, create and bring characters to life from their earliest sketches to their final performance. It’s wonderful to be involved in each step of a character’s development, and this also means that I can ensure that the creative design is feasible as a practical puppet, and will deliver on the animation requirements.

Above is a showcase of some the puppets I have created for stop motion animation. Each production requires a different fabrication approach to stop motion puppet based on the character design and other production criteria. See my portfolio for a showcase of selected animated shorts featuring these puppets, and find out more about my latest puppet fabrication project here. Read more about the puppet making process for stop frame animation below.

Stop Frame Armature Technical Design & Production

Having developed the character design, puppet fabrication can begin. The process of building a stop frame puppet starts with the puppet armature. Armatures provide the underlying support for the puppet allowing it to be animated.

A 2D technical plan for a ball and socket puppet armature (left) and the final armature being tested under camera (right). Find out more about this production here.

Whilst there are numerous ways to approach armature design, there are two main methods for construction: wire and ball & socket. The choice between these two methods is determined by budget, required animation movement and production running time. Sometimes a hybrid that combines both wire and ball & socket joints can be used. The technical design of the armature is engineered in 2D or 3D software to determine the range of movement, rigging points and other bespoke features. From this plan, a build specification that details the armature fabrication can be developed and tested prior to construction.

Stop motion armature production combines a number of fabrication skills including manual machining and silver soldering. I offer bespoke armature design and fabrication services that can be combined with character design and other puppet making services for an end-to-end solution. To find out more regarding production timescales and costs, contact me here.

A stop frame ball and socket armature in progress for an independent film production. This armature is made from lightweight, high-quality stainless-steel joints and rods with brass plug-ins for hands and feet. As these metals can be silver soldered, the most reliable and durable armature construction can be ensured. Find out more about this production here.

Stop Frame Puppet Inner Skinning & Exteriors

Once the puppet armature has been built, the next stage is to create the body and the exteriors of the puppet. The choice of materials used will depend on the visual aesthetic of the character design, and the technical requirements of the production such as animation, duration and budget. Inner skinning materials can include silicone, foam latex, polyurethane foam, and natural textiles. Exteriors, such as clothing or fur can be applied once the inner skinning is completed.

Three main stages in applying inner skins and exteriors. Left: Initial foam interiors which provide shape and movement to the lower half. Middle: The complete foam interior with polyester microfibre midriff for the fullest range of movement at the core. Right: Exterior clothing made with four way stretch fabrics to ensure required movement range for animation. Find out more about this production here.

A common misconception is that exteriors are simply miniature versions of their full-scale equivalents, and that doll’s clothes or similar can be purchased off-the-peg or made in a conventional way for this purpose. However, these often fail to account for the required animation movement or bring the attention to detail at scale. Bespoke solutions that provide full consideration for these requirements, plus access for rigging and joint tensioning during the animation process provide a complete solution. For further information on bespoke skinning services, contact me here.

From sculpt to final cast, this boot was sculpted in modelling clay (left) then a mould was created so that a silicone cast could be taken (right), providing for a highly flexible yet durable puppet part. Find out more about this production here.

Stop Frame Puppet Finishes, Props & Accessories

In the final stage of stop frame puppet fabrication, the details that bring the puppet character to life are applied with finishes. Depending on the underlying materials used and the visual aesthetic, these could include paints, fabrics, needle felt and many other handcraft processes. Puppet accessories such as bags, headphones, jewellery or other worn items can also be fabricated. Consideration for how these are worn or held by the puppet is often required at the armature design and skinning stages. See ‘Miniature Set & Props Making’ for more on props and accessories.

A cat handbag accessory for a stop motion puppet finished with felt and complete with zip, buckles and strap.

All images are © Emma Windsor | White Rabbit Animation.