Los Angeles Animation Studio
Screen Novelties: The Artisans Reviving Stop-Motion Magic
Los Angeles, California, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published
Why it’s cool
This boutique studio preserves the tactile charm of stop-motion animation. Beyond creating modern hits, they famously restored the original puppets from the 1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special.
Tucked away in a building marked by a vintage neon giraffe, a team of artists works to keep a classic cinematic art form from fading away. The giraffe signage is a notable piece of local architecture, much like the barrel-shaped Idle Hour.
Screen Novelties was founded in 2003 by three dedicated fans of the medium. They have spent the last two decades proving that hand-crafted puppets still have a place in a world dominated by digital pixels.
Their workspace is a vibrant collection of creative tools where miniature worlds come to life one frame at a time.
Why It Stands Out
The studio is best known for its deep reverence for the history of animation. While many modern houses have moved entirely to computer-generated imagery, these creators utilize a mix of wire armatures, foam, and even plastic building blocks to build their characters.
Their portfolio is remarkably diverse. They have worked on projects ranging from breakfast cereal advertisements to collaborations with the legendary Ray Harryhausen.
One of their most significant achievements involves the preservation of holiday history. The team successfully restored the original puppets used in the 1964 Rankin/Bass production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
This connection to the past informs their modern work, such as their translation of 2D icons like SpongeBob SquarePants into three-dimensional puppet form. They also contributed to the satirical world of MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch and the fast-paced sketches of Robot Chicken.
Their project Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas served as a bridge between modern storytelling and the nostalgic aesthetic of 1960s holiday specials. The studio shares a sense of whimsical preservation with the nearby Chicken Boy statue.
Before You Go
It is important to note that Screen Novelties is a working production facility rather than a museum or tourist attraction. The studio is located in the Giraffe Building in Los Angeles, but it is not open to the general public.
Fans of their work can appreciate their craftsmanship through the various films, television shows, and commercials they produce from their private workshop.
Questions worth answering
Can I visit the studio to see the puppets?
The facility is a private workshop for active productions. It's not a museum and doesn't allow the general public inside.
How do I find the building in Los Angeles?
Look for the Giraffe Building. It's marked by a vintage neon sign of the animal.
What kind of materials do they use for their characters?
The team builds figures using foam, wire armatures, and plastic blocks. They prefer these tactile tools over digital pixels.
Which famous holiday figures did they help save?
The studio handled the restoration of the original puppets from the 1964 Rudolph special. This project helped preserve a piece of Rankin/Bass history.
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