THE DREAM FAIRE – Pop-up SCULPTURE FOR THE NETFLIX FILm “WENDELL & WILD”
In early 2020, I received the most exciting commission I could have ever imagined. For the stop-motion animated film “Wendell & Wild”, I was commissioned to design my most elaborate pop-up paper sculpture to date, with an incredible amount of detail: An entire amusement park. I worked on it for five months. The final model consists of more than 1370 individual parts.
Here you can see a video of opening and closing the pop-up sculpture:
I sent my pop-up model to the film production company in Portland, Oregon (USA). The stop-motion animation artists made more models based on my plans and design specifications, which were then animated in stop-motion technique so that all the carousels move in the film. The film premiered on October 28, 2022 and is now available on Netflix.
My Model “The Dream Faire” was nominated by The Visual Effects Society for a VES Award in the category “Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project”. Nominees: Peter Dahmen, pop-up book artist; Paul Harrod, Production Designer; Nicholas Blake, Animation Rigger. On my Instagram account you can find a few impressions from the Awards Gala on February 15, 2023 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. The award in this category went to the movie Avatar. Of course, I would have loved to win the award – but I think it’s okay to lose to such a masterpiece. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks to all who made it possible.
The Movable Book Society has published a a detailed article with many photos about this project in their magazine, issue 30/4.
Project: Pop-up sculpture “The Dream Faire”
Size opened: approx. 61 cm x 43 cm x 22 cm
Size closed: approx. 20 cm x 36 cm x 4.6 cm
Material: paper, cut, folded, glued,
Design and model making: Peter Dahmen
Year of creation: 2020
Release: 2022 in the stop-motion animated film “Wendell & Wild” on Netflix, directed by Henry Selick, written by Henry Selick & Jordan Peele.
Paper: Invercote G in various weights, mainly 220 g/m²
Client: Netflix Animation