Set Build

Sandy’s family pose for a photo op in the the Jalopy Sleigh, one of our most ambitious builds.

Sandy’s Dome is a captivating miniature set that brings the underwater world of Sandy the squirrel to life, showcasing a vibrant dome nestled around a majestic tree. This enchanting environment was meticulously crafted, drawing inspiration from the original sketches for Spongebob Squarepants, and transformed into a tangible experience using large sheets of plexiglass and a blend of innovative techniques. Each detail adds to the charm, from Sandy’s expertly designed lab equipment to the lush green boucle fabric that mimics grass, and the whimsical airlock door that Sandy uses to enter her home. Delicately dyed sponges serve as tree leaves, further enhancing the whimsy of the scene, and together, these elements create a delightful homage to Sandy’s underwater adventures, embodying creativity and craftsmanship in every inch.

As we journeyed to recreate the beloved Krusty Krab, builders Hilary and Charles poured their hearts into every detail, ensuring this beloved restaurant felt authentic and vibrant. From the meticulously crafted oversized wooden planks that echo the charm of the show to the expertly woven nautical ropes that add a touch of the sea, every element was designed to transport visitors into the animated world. The colors were chosen to reflect the whimsy of Bikini Bottom, capturing the nostalgia and magic that fans adore. The added Christmas decor added holiday cheer to the iconic cartoon eatery. With this stunning set, we invite you to experience the collective joy that the Krusty Krab brings, right here in our vibrant reality.

At the heart of our captivating set lies a meticulously crafted replica of a tree stump, enlarged to its grand proportions to create an immersive experience. This enchanting diorama showcases a whimsical old western town populated by pioneer squirrels, each represented by the exquisite whittled carvings of the talented Joe Schmidt. As the builder of this set, I not only planned and carved the intricate details but also enjoyed the thrill of puppeteering the elements during the final shot, bringing to life the stories of these charming forest inhabitants.

Ellen Coons and Meghan Graham were our tree team, passionately transforming the heart of our production into a vibrant forest scene where imagination takes root. Their expertise shone through as they meticulously crafted Sandy’s tree inside the dome, employing a unique technique that transformed sea sponges into lush, green leaves, while the bark was artfully sculpted from rolled craft paper and wood glue, blending innovation with artistry. Painter Kathryn Evans joined the creative ensemble, her brush bringing color and life to the trees and backdrops, adding depth to the enchanting world we designed. Together, they wove a tapestry of creativity that not only showcased their skills but also invited viewers to step into a whimsical wilderness where every detail tells a story.

The creation of Patrick’s bedroom was a delightful, if somewhat harrowing challenge. Carved meticulously from EPS foam and enveloped in a tactile layer of sand, the final set resembles a charming sandy haven. I took on the exciting challenge of sculpting the bed, while guiding the team through the intricate process of seamlessly covering the set with real sand. Working against the clock as the glue dried faster than we could apply the material added an exhilarating twist to our efforts. Crafting the sand mounds and ensuring the edges blended beautifully was not just a task, but a fun adventure that allowed our creativity to flourish and truly bring Patrick’s space to life.

From a charming sketch by our story artist Cosmo Segurson, to a masterfully crafted vehicle brought to life by master builder John Joyce, the Jalopy Sleigh was one of our most exciting builds. After breaking Santa’s Sleigh, Sandy’s squirrel family must rebuild it to save Christmas. The result is a hilarious homage to the Beverly Hillbillies, as the famil putters around Bikini Bottom delivering presents in a cute musical number. The challenge lay not only in the intricate design that required accommodating eight animated puppets but also in crafting a light yet sturdy structure suitable for our motorized rig. I took on the challenge of recreating a half-finished version of the jalopy for the montage sequence when it gets built.

Set Dressing

The exterior of the Krusty Krab, an iconic set dressed to perfection.

Each episode of Spongebob Squarepants opens on the well-known town of Bikini Bottom. And in our episode, the holiday spirit glimmers in the intricately crafted decorations adorning the iconic sets. With the keen eye of Production Designer Aron Bothman, we transformed the familiar landscape into a winter wonderland, infusing it with layers of vibrant coral and charming mini buildings, all meticulously designed and 3D-printed to capture the essence of this beloved underwater town. The adventure of layering softly glistening snow on the ground brought an exciting challenge, revealing a breathtaking backdrop that sets the stage for the whimsical tale of Spongebob, Sandy and their friends.

The Beach Hangout is a special part of the island, and an important set for the show. The Shapes share hot chocolate there, watch sunsets and sunrises there, picnic and cavort there. The challenge with this was to make it iconic, by keeping it very simple, but just decorated enough to breath life into the relaxing beach setting.

The lightly undulating sand is coated with a salmon pink and then coated with a brilliant white coat of sand, giving the beach a shimmering quality. Combine that with a few well-placed, elegant palm trees and some massive rocks to break up the background composition, and you’ve got the makings of an iconic setting where anything can happen.

Inside the Krusty Krab, the atmosphere turns electric as Sandy’s family takes center stage, delivering a toe-tapping country musical number that brings a taste of Texas to Bikini Bottom. To elevate the theatricality of this vibrant production, our talented team transformed the set with colorful painted flats and a delightful array of country props, inspired by the charm of classic 70’s variety shows like Hee Haw. Set Dresser Alex Steele meticulously crafted an inviting scene that not only paid homage to the spirit of country music but also infused the beloved eatery with a festive flair, ensuring that every note sung resonated with joy and nostalgia.

In this whimsical episode, Santa’s jolly ride took an unexpected nosedive as his sleigh crashed into a towering Christmas tree, and we embraced the challenge of bringing this playful chaos to life. Crafting a set with a dynamic rolling backdrop, we designed a series of tree bark elements using innovative inside-out cardboard techniques that created the illusion of Santa’s thrilling fall. Our meticulous construction featured four distinct tree pieces mounted on sliders, allowing for a captivating up-and-down motion that enhanced the visual storytelling. I personally took charge of building the rolling backdrop, integrating rotating poles that simulated action lines, making it appear as if the world was rushing by as Santa tumbled. Costumer and Seamstress Carol Binion helped me by sewing the backdrop together in a loop.  To top it off, I adorned the tree branch with bits of broken sleigh debris, transforming the scene into a delightful spectacle of holiday mischief that truly captures the magic of the season.

Minis

Co-Director Mark Caballero and Animation Director Alfonso Estrada manipulate the mini tree to get a tricky forced-perspective shot.

The mini props crafted by Edlyn Capulong became a delightful addition to our project, showcasing how something so small can make a big impact. Each tiny creation was designed not just for charm but also for detail, ensuring they looked stunning up close on camera. These whimsical pieces enhanced our already miniature world, adding layers of creativity and playfulness that made every scene feel even more enchanting.

As the curtains rise on our vibrant atoll island, we set the stage for whimsical antics, introducing a delightful marionette puppet to capture hearts and ignite laughter. This playful mini build infused the show with a splash of nautical charm, conjuring a lighthearted atmosphere that invites audiences to lose themselves in imagination. With its intricate strings and endearing quirks, the puppet not only enhances the storytelling but also embodies our spirit of creativity and fun.

Managing the ARt Department

Art Dept Manager Evan Koehne, Production Designer Aron Bothman, and Production Manager Casey Folen share a moment in the Shop.

I have created an interesting niche for myself in the Stop Motion Animation industry. As a builder, I’ve gained a lot of hands-on knowledge about how to make set and props. But I also know how to direct people and run a shop, and I’m pretty good with schedules. So I find myself spending half my time thinking about the overall picture, scheduling to make sure deadlines get met and my builders have the right supplies they need, while also supervising some of the trickier builds that I can help with, and occasionally getting to gets my hands dirty and actually make something.

It’s a fun, delicate balance, but its all worth it when you see your hard work pay off in the amazing finished product that we all created together.

Behind the Scenes Gallery

Preview

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