What time is it? I have no idea. Really!

So, a couple of weeks ago I was walking through the film studio part of the school when I noticed one of our young female directors diligently working on a wonderful little 1:6 scale set. Of course this means one of two things, she cant find a location to suit her film and decided to do a miniature instead, or her film was entirely 1:6 scale. As the set was of a pretty typical looking Australian backyard I figured it wasn't a location issue, no, this set had the definite smell of, well, paint and glue actually, but speaking metaphorically it smelt of one of my favourite things ever... that's right...

I nonchalantly stopped and started chatting... yes, this was indeed a set for a Stop Motion film. Excitement! Great to know that type of project was being endorsed by the School. As we discussed the medium, history of stop motion, her story, etc, it came to light that she was having a little trouble with the guys making her puppets. They weren't making them. In fact, her production didn't seem to have any progressed further than having some photos of what the puppets should kinda look like. Although, she did have some of the most beautifully crafted armatures, the metal moveable skeletons inside a Stop Motion Puppet, I have ever seen. I mean, I've used wire armatures myself but these things were machined metal with alan key adjustments on the individual ball joints. Um, these things are what the pro's use... in a student film... um... "I've done a little sculpting, mould making, casting ... in essence I make puppets!" Of course... not quite this sophisticated before. "oh, you need them on set in a few days... um... let me think... I'm Directing a documentary... a lot of work, I have to write an essay... a lot of work. I have a day job... a lot of work. No, I absolutely cannot... say no to working on this level with puppets."

So that's where I am at the moment. Every spare moment. Until at least 2am. Sculpting under a magnifying glass. Embedding finished models in clay. Pouring difficult undercut multi-medium multiple part moulds. Making sure armatures are properly prepared and in working order. Shopping for chemicals that when mixed together properly create flexible foams. Running tests on every single part of the process to make sure I know how to use those chemicals. Basically, planning for every possible thing that could go possibly go wrong in the final casting because I only have a few days to make these puppets before they're due on set.

I'm obviously crazy, well, maybe not... After shopping for chemicals the other day I stopped in on a mates place for a BBQ (Their place is close to the shop I went too and they were offering us dinner, perfect!) and as I was saying see-ya-laters I mentioned to some other friends why I had to take off early. Well apparently their son runs this place. I'll set up a meeting with him when he's back from a major make-up job in Bollywood to have a look at his studio... Bonus!

Well I hope you're all not as busy as me but I hope you're having fun out there.