Smaller, lighter, leaner:

Last week we took the big decision to scale Epico back from a two performer rig to a solo rig, slimming him down from 6m to 5m. This has had the effect of making him much more responsive and agile puppet, its also reduced our costs. Whilst we are sad to see the back legs go it does mean no one will get relegated to performing the dragons bum!

More photos to follow at the end of the week as we tackle the legs and the wings.

Baby Egbertah & Irving Mackrel Esq.

Just shot these pictures for the new Peter Johnson Catalogue. We are hoping the Penguin Family will be a big hit this Christmas complete with festive santa hats and sprigs of holly. They are also great for environmental events where Irving takes on the role of a climate change denier and Egbertah the eco activist. To request these shots just send us a mail.

Epico movement test 1:

First test footage of Epico's gyroscopic head mechanism, moving mouth, nose and eye brows!

Epico: New pictures.

With Jamie on holiday and Michael freelancing life in the shop has been quiet of late. So we thought we would post a few more pictures of our current work in progress. From a puppeteers perspective its nice to begin to see how Epico plays to the camera and how his movements suggest a psychology.

Introducing Epico.

Epico, first Look:

This photo shows the initial mock-up of Epico the Dragon and points to some of the challenges of realising a character on this scale. With the head extended 2 meters in front of the lead performer weight will be a critical issue. There is already a lovely movement quality within the head, neck, tail and spine. The challenge will be to retain these as the bulk of the beast increases.

Dragons Be Here!

In late March we conceived and began our most ambitious project to date, Epico the Dragon. Five meters of rippling foam, cable controlled, animatronic puppetry, the largest character we have ever constructed. Often as the scale of a character increases movement is reduced as the performers have to fight the bulk and weight of the materials. But inspired by the fluidity of movement we attained with the Penguins, Epico is being built from the movements out, we want him to move with all the playful bounce of a puppy and the feline grace of a cat.

Epico will be available to book from July. Accompanied by an errant knight or princess character he will perform a twenty minute mini-arena show, as well as being available for walkabout or parades.