Puppet & Miniature Making

InstructorChayan Kumar DasProps & Costume Maker

About This Course

Learn Puppet & Miniature Making through a hands-on studio course focused on building stop-motion puppets, miniature sets, props, and practical production pieces. Explore armature building, puppet construction, set design, painting, weathering, rigging, DIY crafting, film and cosplay prop making, mascot making, and jewelry crafting.

Create your own production-ready puppet, miniature elements, and finished prop, while developing practical craftsmanship and problem-solving skills for stop motion, film, cosplay, and creative production. Receive industry feedback, career guidance, and a certificate of completion. By the end of the course, students should be able to make their own crafts and miniatures. With this specialized skill they can sell their products online and even in our shop. Outstanding students may be considered for opportunities at Ogopogo Studios.

Modules Covered:

Puppet Making - Tools & Armature
Puppet Construction & Testing
Set, Model & Prop Making (Parts 1 & 2)
Painting & Weathering Techniques
Set Assembly & Rigging
DIY & Hand Crafting Methods
Film & Cosplay Props Design

Instructor

Chayan Kumar Das

Props & Costume Maker

Chayan is a visual artist and prop and costume maker with 18 years of experience in visual arts. He studied at the University of Dhaka and has extensive experience in creative fabrication, including puppet making, miniature design, props, and costumes. As an instructor, he focuses on practical craftsmanship, creative problem-solving, and developing the hands-on skills needed for professional production environments.

Curriculum

8 Classes

10 weeks · Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Class 1: Puppet Making - Tools & ArmatureLearn the foundational tools, materials, and techniques needed to build a basic puppet armature.

Introduction to essential tools and materials
Understanding puppet-making basics
Designing a simple puppet structure
Building a basic armature
Planning for movement and durability

Class 2: Puppet Construction & TestingBuild and refine a stop-motion-ready puppet with tested articulation and proper structure.

Building up the puppet body
Adding form and structure
Sculpting simple character features
Joint movement testing
Refining balance and flexibility

Class 3: Set, Model & Prop Making (Part 1)Explore the fundamentals of miniature set building and create small exterior set elements.

Introduction to miniature set building
Understanding scale and proportion
Planning an exterior set layout
Creating small scenic elements
Basic model-making techniques

Class 4: Set, Model & Prop Making (Part 2)Develop interior set pieces and complete a first prop build with guided refinement.

Building interior set components
Constructing walls, floors, and details
Creating a first prop piece
Material choice for props and models
Guided review and improvement

Class 5: Painting & WeatheringApply paint and weathering techniques to create realistic, textured finishes.

Surface preparation for painting
Base coating techniques
Adding texture through layered paint
Weathering for age, dirt, and realism
Matching finishes across sets and props

Class 6: Set Assembly & RiggingAssemble a working set, position puppets, and troubleshoot common setup issues.

Assembling the full set layout
Positioning set elements for filming
Basic puppet rigging methods
Stability and movement checks
Troubleshooting common setup issues

Class 7: DIY & Hand CraftingUse handcrafting methods to create custom accessories and strengthen fabrication skills.

DIY crafting methods for custom builds
Using low-cost and accessible materials
Making accessories by hand
Creative problem-solving in fabrication
Enhancing detail through handmade elements

Class 8: Film & Cosplay PropsDesign and complete a polished prop suitable for film or cosplay use.

Designing props for film and cosplay use
Structural finishing and detailing
Safety considerations for wearable or handled props
Presentation and visual impact
Final finishing and showcase preparation

Students and artists making puppets together inside the studio

Why Choose Ogopogo?

We provide comprehensive animation education with industry-leading instructors and cutting-edge techniques used in major studios worldwide.

Certificate of completion for all courses
Industry-standard software and techniques
Build a professional animation portfolio
Lifetime access to course materials and updates
Active community and networking opportunities
Career support and studio connections