NFTS Model Makers Work On Guillermo Del Toro’s Award Winning Pinocchio
Making a stop-motion animation is a labour of love for the entire crew and Guillermo Del Toro’s Oscar and BAFTA winning Pinocchio was no different according to National Film and Television School Model Making Diploma graduate Lisa Ott.
Lisa was part of the crew that brought the film to life, alongside fellow Model Making graduates Sophie Monks and Gemma Byrne, who all contributed the precise and practical skills they honed on the NFTS course to the project.
We got the chance to catch up with Lisa, now back at the School studying the NFTS Directing Animation MA. Lisa shares her experience of working with world-renowned puppet makers, course partner and animation producers Mackinnon and Saunders to create this beautiful, critically-acclaimed animation.
What were the unique challenges in the making of Pinocchio?
Working on this production was a dream come true for me. I started off in the armature team working on Geppetto's head mechanics, learning how to do intricate armature work and take on responsibilities as an all rounder in the armature main workshop.
I then got the amazing opportunity to take over the responsibility of casting all the eyes for the puppets made by Mackinnon and Saunders, including doing countless tests and development versions to get it all to look right. Some standouts were when I got to develop what the blind eye for Spazzatura would look like (the monkey) and when I got to send in tests for the eyes of the rabbits in the afterlife.
One of the big challenges was definitely lockdown. During the first lockdown, Peter Saunders advised all international employees to travel home as borders were closing, and I caught one of the last flights back to Switzerland where the borders closed while I was at the airport - it was all crazy and I am very grateful that as a company, they cared so much for our wellbeing during a difficult time. Ian Mackinnon and Pete are truly the most wonderful bosses anyone could ever work for.
They ended up sending work to me in Switzerland, where I set up a workspace in my parents' house. During the second lockdown, we were able to work back at the company, with testing three times a week and firm health and safety rules in place, which I was very grateful for.
How do you think the NFTS Model Making Diploma equipped you to work on award-winning productions like this one?
The Model Making course led by John Lee is absolutely the only reason I ever got to work at Mackinnon and Saunders. I was in the first ever intake of the course in 2017, and we all went up to show the company our puppets. I was also one of the people that went there for work experience - the reason I got the job was because Pete was drawn to the Pangolin puppet I had made on the course called Cedric!
Overall, the course also gave me a good understanding of health and safety which was appreciated on many of the productions I have worked on since graduating, and it taught me how to effectively work in a team and communicate my progress to make sure I stay on the same page as my teammates.
What did Pinocchio winning the BAFTA and Oscar mean to you?
Ha, it made me want to update my CV! Mostly it just made me incredibly pleased to know Pete and Ian got that kind of recognition, and it's been wonderful to know how appreciative Guillermo Del Toro has been of them in interviews and in speeches, and even in the credits of the film. I have not met anyone in this industry that deserves recognition more than these two. I truly can not overstate how unique the company they run truly is, and how strongly they put people first.
What’s next for you in the world of film/TV?
After Pinocchio, I also worked on The House and several commercials with Mackinnon and Saunders, before coming to the school again to start the MA in Directing Animation. I love Model Making and I do not ever intend to leave it behind, but I wanted to further my portfolio to add more storytelling into the mix so I can combine those two things and lead smaller productions in the future.
I am currently working on my graduate film, well into the second year of the course. So I suppose we'll see what's next! I am particularly interested in doing my part to see more queer centric stories being told in animation.
What would you say to someone thinking of applying to the NFTS Model Making Diploma?
Be ready to give it your all, you are going to learn so much. But to have the best experience, you will have to set boundaries, and John is good at teaching them. The industry won't always be kind when it comes to working hours and health and safety, and this course will help you to set boundaries and to know when to say 'no' when someone asks you to do something that is unsafe (and the people that are good employers, like Mackinnon and Saunders, will appreciate those skills immensely).
You will learn some incredible problem solving skills, and have the best possible stepping stone into this industry you could possibly ask for.
Apply today to train on the only UK-based model making course located in a dedicated film studio environment!
Learn the craft in a fully-equipped workshop and studio where you will work individually and collaboratively to create industry-standard models and props.
1 year
Full-time
Next intake September 2023
Apply by 4 May 2023!