Company research: Mackinnon and Sauders

http://www.mackinnonandsaunders.com/home/

Well what aspiring model maker would not love to work for Mackinnon and Saunders? 

"Mackinnon & Saunders are one of the world’s leading puppet making companies specialising in the design and construction of characters for television shows,feature films and commercials."

Ian Mackinnon and Peter Saunders' team of talented artists have over 30 years of experience, and have brought some of the worlds love animated puppets to life. From Bob the builder and Postman Pat, to big Hollywood films such as Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox.   

The very company who's artists made the puppets for Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (2005) My favourite Tim Burton film by far. I love the contrast between life and death, and the irony that the land of the dead is more "alive" than the land of the living. Visually the film is extremely engaging with all the beautifully hand crafted puppets, props and sets in their cleverly chosen colours.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

I feel like I've said the same thing about stop motion over 100 times, about how incredible it is. How everything is hand crafted from scratch and the detail is fantastic. Unless your a stop - motion enthusiast, people just don't understand the amazing artistry, unbelievably amount of talent and patients it takes to create such an art form. Therefore, I'm going to try and not repeat myself, but I suggest you have a look at the making of videos for stop-motion films. Below I've added the making of video from Fantastic Mr.Fox, it's only a couple of minutes and worth it too.

   

Mackinnon and Saunders have made puppets for many feature films but also for commericals and television series too. Not only do they produce puppets but also provide consultancy for all aspects of animated projects from concept designs all the way through to production. The company also provides a full production service from "managing a project in Stop Motion, 2D or CG from concept to final delivery."

We can also help with any individual element of production from concept and script development to character design, budgeting, scheduling, talent hire, shooting and post.

Below is the link to Mackinnon and Saunders website, with a visual portfolio of their work and a full archive of everything they have ever worked on.

http://www.mackinnonandsaunders.com/home/

Work Experience with Immortal Pictures!!

I haven't posted for a while because for the past four weeks I have had the privilege to do work experience on the feature film "Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires" written and being directed by Mike Mort. An Immortal Pictures production being produced at a brand spanking new studio based in Bridgend. The Stop-motion animated film is going to be one action packed epic phenomenon! Due for release in 2017. 

I had the opportunity to work in both the art department for two weeks and then the puppet department for a further two weeks. Working in both departments gave me a range of things to work on, and therefore get a real feel for the industry and where I would fit in/ make the best contribution. I have to say I have learnt so much in the four weeks in industry, but unfortunately I am unable to use the things I've learnt in my final year film as I've already made everything and don't have time to re-make anything. However, I'm sure the knowledge will come in useful soon enough.  Below is the short for the film "Chuck Steel: Raging balls of Steel Justice." 

Immortal Pictures Ltd, is a BAFTA award winning stop motion animation company based in the United Kingdom. At the top of the chain of command Mike Mort, producer and director. Having started on mostly commercials and TV series, such as award winning Gogs. Everything stop-motion, immortal pictures provides character design, model making, storyboarding, production and post production services.  

http://www.immortalpictures.com/

Already the crew at Chuck Steel are one hell of a talented bunch. With people who have worked on Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (2005) Frankenweenie (2012), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Aardman's Chicken Run (2000) just to name a few. 

The crew also Includes past students from the very university which I attend. The talented James Carlisle who is puppet assistant on Chuck Steel, and who taught me how to cast body cores using two part fast cast and fil-lite powder. I've linked his blog below if you want to check it out;

The image above is from James Carlisle "cut from the same cloth" an amazing, and touching stop-motion film. 

http://jamescarlisle.blogspot.co.uk/

Two very important modellers at Chuck Steel are Joshua and Nathan Flynn, they're work is very well known at the University of South Wales, and it was their work that drew me to the University. Having graduated 3 years ago, the guys are doing extremely well for themselves, and I strongly recommend you take a look at they're website. 

http://sculpt-double.co.uk/

The image above is from Joshua and Nathan's student film "Opening Night" 

show reel test

The first set developed further, just fine tuning and lots more details to go.

The outside set developed further just using water colour drawings on paper.

Construction day 3

Day 2 of Construction

Construction has begun!

"And so it beings!" 

Building of the set has begun, as you can see I am very environmentally friendly by recycling (also known has hoarding.) 

I have used old boxes that I've kept over the last few months (Years) from things like my drill, camera, hoover to cereal boxes.   

I used string and lollypop sticks to map out my set before I headed to B&Q to purchase a wooden base. 

I covered the boxes in mod rock to both strengthen and establish a solid "building."