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NFTS Model Makers Map Out Paddington’s Journey from London to Peru!

With a fourth Paddington film now officially confirmed to be in development, everyone’s favourite marmalade fanatic will soon be getting another big screen adventure!

For his last outing, Paddington in Peru (2024), students and graduates from the National Film and Television School’s Model Making MA, played a key role in crafting a pivotal stop frame animation sequence, charting the beloved bear’s journey from London to his native Peru, using a blend of traditional techniques and modern filmmaking.

 

John Lee attending to the large scale DC3 on the rotating barrel globe shot
John Lee attending to the large scale DC3 on the rotating barrel globe shot

 

Working to a brief provided by Framestore, the film’s leading VFX studio, and led by NFTS Head of Model Making John Lee (Harry Potter, Alien, Fantastic Mr Fox), a dedicated team of current students and recent graduates of the course created a continuous topographical landscape, an animated globe, miniature vintage aircraft and handcrafted skies and clouds, combining old school methods with modern visual effects workflows.

 

Two women working on wooden model
A thin layer of Fibreglass P40 was laid inside the barrel to keep the 3mm MDF planking firm, after first being pinned/ nail gunned to the circular disks

 

The sequence was designed not only to achieve a distinctive, tactile look that complements Paddington’s charm, but also to provide real-world reference for the final CG animation used in the film.

 

painting the model
Dominique Charalambous, Georgia Ellis, and Hannah Beales join the painting team The students were now relying on strong teamwork skills which they had successfully developed during the last 6 months on the course.

 

Integrating real film work alongside the existing curriculum gave students valuable insight into professional model and prop making practices and provided hands-on experience on a major international production while demonstrating the continued relevance of traditional craft within contemporary filming.

 

two women making clouds from upholstery waddings
Mo Clouting and Olivia Smallbone create initial cloud forms for testing. Maintaining translucency is crucial, as this matches the camera data requested by Framestore. Different upholstery waddings are ideal for achieving realistic cloud shapes

 

 In addition, it significantly enhanced their final portfolios, equipping them with industry-relevant work that supports graduate employment opportunities.

 

model maker joyce shooting the model
Model Maker Joyce animated the opening shot alongside other students. The 6-foot set, combined with lens choice and plane positioning, allowed about 5 feet of travel.

 

Check out the official clip from the film that includes part of the sequence:

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Alumni have gone on to work as prop makers and set decorators on films including Wicked, Wonka, Pinocchio, Chicken Run, Dune and for leading animation powerhouses Aardman Features and Mackinnon and Saunders.

For a deeper dive into the techniques and artistry behind the richly detailed process used in Paddington in Peru, read the full befores and afters feature here:
https://beforesandafters.com/2026/04/17/paddingtons-journey-from-london-to-peru-was-made-with-old-school-techniques/

Applications to join the NFTS Model Making for Film and Animation MA are currently open. Apply now for a September 2026 start!
https://nfts.co.uk/model-making-film-and-animation

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