Article Contributed on: 3/4/2009 1:46:31 AM
Local Sculptor/Clay Animator, Mike Fleming Jr (21), Grabs 3rd in a Contest sponsored by the makers of the feature film "Coraline". Laika studios who are based in Portland Oragon offered the site AnimateClay.com a ton of cool prizes to offer up as a prize for a Coraline Themed Sculpting Contest. Mike, who is a respected member of the site decided to join but "wanted to be finished in under 25 hours" he said. Which is not an easy task to go from concept to painted sculpt in 25 hours as Mike recalls, "It's not easy fitting 50lbs of work into a 10lb bag, but I was able to get him done in 22 hours which was exciting" .
Mike chose to sculpt the character Charlie or rather, Coraline's father from the film. "I really liked his design and it was fun to alter his already crazy proportions a little more" Mike admitted. The other entries in this contest were also well done.
Laika studios (previously called: Will Vinton Studios) came across Mike's work on his page at StopMotionMagic.com/M-Flem-Jr and contacted him offering a free gift, "I thought it was a joke" Mike stated. A week later they sent a big box containing all kinds of Coraline related items, Including replacement mouths used for the Cat in the film as well as an autograph from Coraline's Director Henry Selick. "I was totally blown away, what a blessing" Mike stated, "I am sending them a cast of my Charlie entry as a Thank You" he added.
You can contact Mike at MFlemJr@Epic-Animation.com or visit his My-space at myspace.com/Epic_Animation Mike accepts commissions such as small busts and bobble-heads to Wedding cake toppers and animations all in his claymation/realistic style.