Puppet Designs

Worked up pencil sketches of each character for the film.

- still a little caught in the translation from drawing to creation. I'm not sure how long to spend developing these designs before moving onto sculpting.

I haven't really used my sketchbook to explore colour because I want to see them in the flesh. A coloured pencil can be used to rough out a basic colour palette but I can't know how the colours will show on screen until I physically make them.

I can't know how the fabrics will hang until I sew them.

I can't determine how the Geflings will move until I've tested their wire armatures and rigged up the marionette wires.

I'm really happy with this idea to use Jim's children - a homage to his private life and his role as a father - but because the references to his kids are so subtle, I don't think anyone will really pick up on that. I didn't want it to be an overt link to his children but rather a quiet cheer for that side of his life. I don't think it's really necessary for the audience to understand but it would be good if they knew that these characters had SOMETHING to do with Jim (they're not just plucked out of thin air).

The King is probably the character that people will recognise. His philosophies about recycling, living in peace and his role in the community as the 'director' reflects that of Jim's professional persona.

'The child' is the most abstract character because I want this one to be relatable. I want it to be symbol of childhood and the innocence that Jim so passionately valued in other people and himself.