MISSION STATEMENT
Here at The Character Shop we create some of the finest creature effects and characters in the world. We are filled with a passion for the work we do. For years, TCS has been delivering great quality effects, and we just keep getting better and better. We recognize that there are many factors to pleasing producers and audiences with our effects. Of course, one needs artistic expertise; the design, sculpting, painting, and cosmetic finishing steps must be undertaken by people who excel in their specialty. A commitment to cutting-edge technology is also essential; which is why TCS has the best animatronic, mechanical, and electronics technicians in the business. The third major ingredient is a performance that brings a character to life; manipulation of our creatures and puppets is undertaken by actors who become the character they are creating.
But there's more, much more. TCS has become one of the leading suppliers in the field because we also do business the right way. Being able to stick to a budget, a deadline, and have dependable, high quality effects with little or no downtime on set is essential. Each effect is designed to give the utmost reliability and flexibility on set, all while maintaining a high level of believability.
Whether it's bizarre or believable, whimsical or sinister, we can create it. We've learned to become extremely versatile, which has enabled us to create characters in any scale: from a seven-inch-tall Tinkerbell puppet for "Hook" to full-size elephant replicas for "Operation Dumbo Drop". Being a creative chameleon also helps when you've got to create a totally believable animatronic monkey one month, and a goofy-looking purple alien the next.
We take advantage of the latest developments in materials and technology, as well as our vast experience in tried and true methods, all in order to create the best there is. If a creature has to be realistic, all its proportions, textures, and paint schemes are extremely realistic. When we create a fantasy character, you can count on its being fantastic. A well-developed sense of humor is another of our marketable tools; our silly characters make people laugh, and increase the visibility and familiarity of whatever product they're associated with. Or, as a wise man once said, "Funny is money!"
TCS has had experience bringing our effects and crews to many distant and difficult locations, including Thailand, London, Puerto Rico, Montreal, New York, Mexico, Utah, New Orleans, and Amsterdam, among others. We come prepared, professional, and resourceful. We continue to develop a reputation for competitive prices, hard working crews, beautiful work, and an absolute minimum of hassles.
The pictures on these pages tell only part of the story. Once you've seen our reel, you will truly appreciate our attention to form, detail, and movement. We deliver the same quality as the million-dollar-minimum shops, but faster and cheaper than they ever could. The Character Shop has the requisite experience in designing and creating whatever creature or character you can dream of. We hope that you will agree that we are certainly qualified to take on the animatronic effects chores on your next project. Perhaps we can do business together.
Until then, I hope you enjoy our Website!
Rick Lazzarini
President, The Character Shop