Stop-motion Animation is my favourite medium and art form. For my final year at NIDA, I decided to embark on a research project about Costume Fabrication in Stop Motion - one that requires intensive research, iterations and a presentation. This research project was to be a marriage between my two degrees: Animation and Costume. I wanted to dive into the world of fabricating miniature costumes as well as understanding the armature and rigging of costumes.
So, I created a characters in a fictitious circus known as the Milkyway Menagerie.
Come meet Enid Roach and LeRoy the Mongrel
Original sketch for characters. Moby Oaf was not completed
Enid Roach is an equestrian enthusiast. She dreams of performing as a horse for the circus. Quite and timid, her most prized possession is her 5th place award broach she won for competing as a horse.
Her design was inspired by 1880s bustle silhouettes and circus performance military costumes. She is approximately 20cm (not including her felted horse head piece).
I began making a basic body armature using wire and foam clay and making a mesh body suit to anchor the fabric to. The characters body was not intended to move however the costume was.
A video of understanding the shape of a bustle skirt for Enid Roach
Enid Roach turn around no costume
Enid Roach turn around with costumes
Enid Roach with armature rig for costume
