Making a figure

Before replicating the split pin and puppet styles of animation I first needed to know how to create a figure and understand how they function. The split pins are quite self explanatory, each main limb of the figure is connected at a joint, just like people. From the joints the limbs are able to rotate as the animator sees fit. When piecing a figure together you must avoid making too many or too little joints, because this will strongly impact how naturally the model moves during the animation. It is also important to understand proportions, as disproportionate features can also impede how a character moves, for example if two legs aren't the same length the figure would hobble rather than walk. To avoid any disproportionate features I simply used the first cut-out as a template for the second limb. Split pin figures can be made of paper or card and are joined together by (as the name suggests) split pins.

The 3D puppet figure was a longer process. I firstly cut the basic shape of my character into two pieces of fabric before stitching it them together. Secondly I bound some wire together into the puppets basic shape then stuffed it into the fabric to act as a kind of skeleton, supporting the puppet and making the limbs pose able. Finally filled the puppet with polyester stuffing, giving the character more volume after which I sealed the rest of the fabric. The puppet is sturdy yet can move quite freely, the only issue is it cannot stand by on its feet. If I were to create another puppet I would put weights at the bottom of its feet.