Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for MM 216 Winter 2025


Course Number:
MM 216
Course Title:
Puppet Fabrication
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture/Lab Hours:
20
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Develops foundational skills in puppet fabrication for stop-motion animation. Introduces industry-standard techniques to create puppet characters such as armatures and costumes. Prerequisites: MM 215, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Create a bipedal puppet ready for animation.

2. Evaluate and determine materials and methods that support various character performances. 

3. Demonstrate proficiency with fabrication tools using industry methods and safety practices.  

4. Explain the puppet fabrication pipeline for film, television, commercials and other media.

Course Activities and Design

Course material will be presented in a lecture format, and then explored in a lab format. This course is designed to maximize learning through the use of outcome-based instruction strategies, collaborative learning, contextual application, and performance-based assessment.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessment will be based upon a combination of in-class work, reflections, and skills demonstrated in assigned projects. Determination of problem-solving skills and communication skills may also be included.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

  • A broad spectrum of stop-motion media will be shown and discussed in class to illustrate the diverse paths this medium takes. 
  • Students Learn contemporary fabrication techniques while honing their personal artistic voice.

  • Review materials and methods such as machining, mold-making, sculpting, and foam casting to create armatures, bodies, skins, wigs and other puppet materials.

  • Review process of bipedal puppet components such as armature, body, hair, and costume.