Research #3 - Model Makers

John Wright Modelmaking

A studio specialising in the production of quality models, sets, puppets and props. They also manufacture a range of armatures and ball and socket joints for use within the animation industry.

Established since the early 1990's, and based in the centre of Bristol, John Wright Modelmaking has earned a reputation for producing high quality models for the animation industry.

Their skilled team of model makers with backgrounds in engineering and sculpting have created work for many award winning  film and advertising productions. 
They have created models and sets from animated films to children's television programming and commercials, such as: 'A Close Shave; for Aardman Animations and 'Fifi & the Flowertots'. 

Cod Steaks

Founded over 25 years ago in Bristol's harbour side, they now operate from a 1.5 acre site in central Bristol, with purpose built workshops to take care of every creative requirement. 

Their passion is in the detail and they offer the highest quality of design and craftsmanship with a wealth of creativity, imagination and inspiration to boot.

With over 25 years' experience, Cod Steaks is recognised by many of the world's top creative businesses as a leading provider of 3D design, model making and construction services. 

Scary Cat Studio

With widespread experience within the stop-frame animation industry, they specialise in all aspects involved in the creation of animation puppets, whether that be a simple plasticine upper or a sequence of replacement animation models.





From sculpting the maquettes to assist with early character development to the design and construction of ball and socket armatures, they can produce the puppet that is best suited to the animator's requirements. 

Some of the puppets they have created are for the Duracell advert, the Specsavers advert with Postman Pat and Tatty Teddy.

Mackinnon and Saunders

They 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. 

With over 30 years of experience, Ian Mackinnon and Peter Saunders'  talented team have had the privilege of bringing some of the worlds' best known animated characters to life. From Bob the Builder, Postman Pat and Fifi and the Flowertots, to Tim Burton's Corpse Bride and Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr Fox. 

From concept moquettes, mould making and armatures to costume, hair and pain, the team will always go the extra mile to ensure the characters they produce create the maximum impact on screen

What skills do you need to work as a model maker?

Jobs in the Animation Industry.

Ways into the animation industry -

Apprenticeships
Degree Courses


There are various different parts of animation you could work within (35 to be precise, on the creative skillset website). These range from an Animation Director/Supervisor to a Model Making Team Leader. 

• Animation Director or Supervisor
• Responsible for the quality of the animation, keeping it on the brief and for delivering consistent performances. 
• Interpret the brief from the Director and other relevant departments.
• Animator (Stop Motion)
• Animating models or puppets on frame at a time to create a performance and provide the action outlined in the storyboard.
• Bring the models/puppets to life. 
• Inbetweener
• Produce the drawings between key poses in order to complete the illusion of movement and action.
• Responsible for producing neat and accurate in-between drawings, as directed by the Assistant Animator, Animator or Animation Director.
• Model Maker
• Producing the working models, props, and/or puppets for stop motion animation.
• Need to be all-rounders, able to work in several craft areas. These include sculpting, mould making, casting, trimming and seaming, foaming, metal working, welding, painting, finishing and costume making.
• Roto Artist
• Tracing the areas of live action frames where computer graphics will overlap or interact with live image.
• Creating clear areas (mattes) within the frame to allow all elements of the scene to be layered convincingly by the Compositor.