Building Lizzie the Dragon

For Carmarthen Youth Opera, during my second year of university were were commissioned to build Elizabeth the dragon for their 2023 production of "Shrek the Musical".

During this project I was mainly on the mechanics team but often assisted with the art team. During the process I created Sketchup and AutoCAD models for this build. I measured and cut the aluminium used to build the A-frame where the pivot of the dragon's neck. These were based off multiple prototypes and iterations as to produce the intended movement whilst optimising the materials used and functionality of the puppet.

In this process I was constantly having to communicate with other departments. I often worked with the art department with then I sanded her head and assisted with painting as welle as I attaching her horns and ears during the late stages of production and also created and attached her beautiful eyelashes.