Making a Latex Hand in a build up technique over a wire armature

ACE – Technical Workshop Descriptor
Mary Murphy 

Technical Instruction Area:
Animation - Stop Motion Studios

Academic Programme/Level/Workshop code:
BA2 - Developing Collaborative Practice
Room Number:  4B03 

Maximum Numbers Possible: 12 


Key processes/Technologies covered 

• Working with Armature wire
• "Reading" your own scale drawing/draft design, and assessing its fitness in terms of function and desired aesthetics.
• Working with a variety of malleable fabrication materials and exploring the following vocational terms

Thermoplastic - Polymorph
Epoxy Putty - Milliput
Polymer clay - Sculpy/Fimo

Technical Learning Objectives: 
This workshop session is delivered in advance of the more challenging "Building a wire armature" and and "skinning and dressing your puppet" sessions. It aims to introduce students to the core processes and materials used in the full completion of a prototype character through a highly relevant but simple and less time consuming exercise. (making a hand)
Through demonstration and supported practical exercise, students will actively engage in interpreting their own "design" work in the contest of a real fabrication arc.
Extension tasks should allow independent refinement and development of the associated craft.


Associated Module Outcomes:
Students on this module should be given training and support in the following:

•  developing  an understanding of a range of production processes and paradigms;                                                     
•  Gaining a working knowledge of the operational practices related to a given role within the production process; director, producer,  designer etc.    
• Engaging  with a range of design and production processes and methodologies used to develop a chosen short animation production within a group environment; 
• Demonstrating the development and resolution of concepts and ideas through the completion of a short animation project.    
• Developing organisational skills relevant to the management and completion of a group project;                                                                                        
  
                                                                                                                                    

General overview of pipeline with a range of examples.

Step 1
Working with the director, modelmaker and animator, the designer will produce a series of design documents (concept art, macquettes, mood boards and design sheets, ending with a scale drawing.

Step 2
Working with armature wire or Ball and socket joints (large scale and high budget only) a flexible skeleton is designed to the proportions dictated by the scale drawing. A simple "cartoon" hand requires little detail on the armature, a more advanced "Human" character may require some anatomical study and prototype development.

 Sidebar - you may want to investigate the industry pipeline at this point in your study. For durability and consistency across multiple stations and characters mould making and casting technologies are most commonly incorporated into the pipeline once a "final design" has been agreed.

Step 4
Using a range of materials, plasticine, latex, foam or fabric the flexible "skin" of the hand is added/built up to create a hand and lower forearm capable of precise movement.

A more comprehensive overview of the materials and processes will be covered in the following 2 sessions - Armature building and skinning the puppet.

Getting ready