"Motor Creeps" runs only a few minutes, but you are struck by the smooth, fast action of this very vivid chase sequence. The puppets were made using Stuhr's favored combination of foam latex covering machined steel armatures of his own design, but with plasticine faces to allow Stuhr to create both subtle and extreme facial expressions. The Motorcycle Boy's dog, based on Stuhr's own beloved one-eyed dog Gertie, is entirely made out of plasticine over machined steel armature.
Our heroes. I got to take a picture of this before it got a little grimy. The Motorcycle Boy's leathers were hand sewn and actually made of real leather. Note the dog's 'bionic eye'. The eyes and teeth of Motorcycle Boy float freely inside the plasticine in a similar technique to that used by Nick Park in his clay animated shorts, allowing Stuhr to sculpt strong expressions.
One of the villains who chases Motorcycle Boy all over a hand-built industrial landscape. There are numerous articulations in this model's armature, allowing for a lot of dynamic movement.
Another villain in a highly imaginative conveyance. The tire rotates as part of the movement of this puppet, yet the villain remains pretty much where he is in this picture. There is a great deal of fine detail in this model as you can see.
Although this villain didn't make it onto film, it was built for future scenes to be included in the short. It is interesting to note that the action in what exists in "Motor Creeps" is basically improvised. Fred intended to write a story around the action he committed to film, but built the sets and puppets first and shot what exists of the film as part of the creative process.
Read more about The Artist?
Find out about the trust fund for his son Griffin?
Thanks to all who signed the Book of Condolence. It is now closed.
All art on this page © 1994,1996 Fred Stuhr, renewed 1997 Fred Stuhr estate. All rights reserved by the Fred Stuhr estate under international and US law and convention. Photos by Michelle Klein-Häss. No images can be used or linked to without the permission of the Fred Stuhr estate and the Photographer.
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Page last updated 1/15/1998
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