In August 2014 I was approached by Athena Studios, and asked to lead the puppet build for a short film "Mermaids on Mars." Having worked with them in the past to create Sophie for "Auntie Claus", I was extremely excited! Over the next couple months I lead a team of 6 in the creation of 7 puppets. I was lucky to have such wonderful teammates, and couldn't be more thrilled with the results. Here is a sneak peak of "Mermaids on Mars!"
Based on an original story by: Nancy Guettier
Completed Julian puppet
Cast Julian head and painted eyes ready for assembly and epoxy
Cast Dragon skin hands, ready for assembly
Completed Gilbet puppet
Silicone shoe mold, back painted grommets
Cast shoes, ready for their laces
Finished shoes
Oceana is ready for her close up
Mermaid tail armature, wire and ready for casting
Clipped foam tail, and back painted iridescent tail layers
Tails ready for seaming
Close up of tail color varations
Ocean being animated
Aquamarina
and Laguna
And lastly, a fully comped shot of Gilbert star gazing off the dock.
To complete the puppets I worked with
Bird Mc Cargar-Costume
Suzanne Moulton-Hair
Julian Birchman-Paint
Sylvie McClelland-Sand/paint
Jeanette Vera-3d Modeling
Christian Norris-Armatures
Via Merrick Chaney Armatures
Designs by Steph Laberis