The Character Shop- Rentable Items

Our bread-and-butter is custom character design and creation for Clients. But over the years, we've amassed quite a few items that don't have to be built from scratch, and which may well work for your production, with a bit of Refurbishing, Repurposing, and Rental. Keep in mind, we are not a Prop House, so we always have to send at least one Technician (and posssibly Supervisor and Puppeteers) to maintain, modify, repair, position, and bring these items to life.

First Off: We do not have a veritable Noah's Ark of animals in stock, 2 of each species of every animal ever to grace the earth, in all sizes, ages, and colors. We only build what we have been asked to build to suit the needs of a prior project, and the functions of each creaure were built with a certain range of movement or particular purpose in mind...which may not meet *your* upcoming specs. We'll do our best to advise, work with you, and possibly alter either the item (or your script!) to make sure the creature does what it needs to.

Animatronic Animals, Puppets, Creatures and Items we have for Rent include (but aren't limited to):

Animatronic Silicone Walleye Replica

The Specs: A very realistic, believable, 26 inch-long puppet replica of a freshwater Walleye fish for rent. It's got a moving mouth, so it can either gasp for air or deliver dialogue. Flaring gills, to give it life. And, of course, flopping movements of its tail and body. Radio-controlled, partially submergable. Requires 1 Puppeteer, 1 Supervisor, 1 Technician, Set Kit Rental.

...Watch the mechanical test!

Animatronic Silicone Thrashing Alligator

The Specs: A very realistic, believable, 8 feet-long puppet replica of an American Alligator for rent. It's got snapping jaws, thrashing head Up/Down and Side/Side movements, as well as thrashing Side/Side movements of its body and tail. Pneumatically operated for strong, violent movement; requires additional Compressor/Hose and Set Kit/Truck Rentals, 2-3 Puppeteers, 1 Supervisor, 2 Technicians.

See it in action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoaiRkjo6-o

We also have a static, non-moving replica of this for rent.

Giant Circus Cannon Rental

The Specs: Okay, this isn't Animatronic, or a Creature, just a very cool set piece. A person can fit inside (and it has an off-camera-side trap door for easy entry/exit. Big wheels make it ease to move around, and the base has hollow compartments that can be filled with sand to counterweight the person inside the tube. It's sturdy, but made of Sonotube cardboard and covered with sheet styrene, so any Pyro would have to be carefully placed/blanketed to eliminate damage to the tube. Requires Set Kit/Truck Rentals, 2 Technicians.

...See it in action!

Animatronic Realistic Chicken Puppets

The Specs: 4 very realistic, believable, close-up-worthy, life-size Chicken puppet replicas for rent. They feature movements of their beaks, Eyes, Heads Necks, and Wings. 2 Others are Midground-Quality. Requires 1 Supervisor, 2-6 Puppeteers, 2-3 Technicians, Set Kit/Truck Rentals.

Giant Suspending Mobile Truss

The Specs: Giant welded, tubular steel Truss, with plenty of clamp-on brackets and pulleys/sheaves for anchoring, hoisting/flying, and puppeteering figures and items. It's rated for 500 lbs at the very end, and that weight capacity increases to 2 tons the closer you mount the load to the rear. Room for 2 Operators in the "Crow's Nest". Features two 1-Ton electric winches to hoist/raise/lower main load. The beauty of this is, it slips on and affixes to a standard, Rentable Off-Road Forklift, so that there can be 25 feet of clearance underneath. Requires Set Kit, Forklift Rental, Flatbed Transpo Truck Rental, Transpo Driver, 1 Supervisor, 2 Technicians.

.......See it in action!

Animatronic Realistic Sheep Puppet

The Specs: Rod-operated Head, Radio-Controlled, very expressive face, with Eyes Up/Down, Eyes Left/Right, Blinks, Ear, Mouth, and Lip movements. Can be pre-configured either naturally (on all fours) or sitting vertically. Featured in Cadbury Chocolate and Corona Light Ads. Requires 1 Supervisor, 2-4 Puppeteers, 2 Technicians, Set Kit/Truck Rentals.

See it in action at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldZVTmbDa4U and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjdmoHv-IAY and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viXhp0v1gGY

Animatronic Realistic Puma Puppet

The Specs: Rod-operated Head, Radio-Controlled, very expressive face, with Eyes Up/Down, Eyes Left/Right, Blinks, Ears, Mouth, and Lip movements. Configured permanently in a "lounging" position. Featured in Cadbury Chocolate and Toyota Ads. Requires 1 Supervisor, 2-5 Puppeteers, 2 Technicians, Set Kit/Truck Rentals.

See it in action at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ldZVTmbDa4U#t=31s

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEM6oemIjIs

Authentic Bomb-Retrieval Robots

The Specs: Radio-Controlled, Multi-axis movements of Arm(s), grippers, variable speed Foreward/Back, and Steering L/R. Requires 1 Supervisor, 2 Puppeteers, 2 Technicians, Set Kit/Truck Rentals, AirFare/Lodging/Car Rental/Per Diem for Company Rep.

See the variety of configurations at:

http://www.character-shop.com/tcsbombots.html

Animatronic Realistic Hyena Puppets

The Specs: Rod-operated Head and bodies, Radio-Controlled, very expressive face, with Eyes Up/Down, Eyes Left/Right, Blinks, Ears, Mouth, and Lip movements. Featured in Cadbury Chocolate Ad. We have 3 of these, although one looks most like a "traditional" Hyena, while the others are "Blonde" and "Redhead". Requires 1 Supervisor, 2-4 Puppeteers, 2 Technicians, Set Kit/Truck Rentals.Post-ProductionRod/Rig/Puppeteer removal needed.

See in action at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2SLc7ve0A0

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvQOiYvSnJU

Animatronic Realistic Grey Rat Puppet

The Specs: Rod and Radio-Controlled, Multi-axis movements of Arms, Body, Head, Blinks, Ears, Nose, and Mouth. May require TLC and refurbishing, as it is an older item (and the rubber in them deteriorates over time) Requires 1 Supervisor, 2-3 Puppeteers, 2 Technicians, Set Kit/Truck Rentals.

Non-Animatronic Realistic Poodle Replica

The Specs: Very realistic Poodle Replica, mounted to a finished plaque to make it seem "Taxidermied". Used for a Capital One ad. No animatronics...but of course, we could make one that has movement! Requires 1 Technician.

Animatronic Realistic Giant Galapagos Tortoise Puppets

The Specs: Hand-operated Heads and Necks, Radio-Controlled Eyes Up/Down, Eyes Left/Right, Blinks, Mouth, movements. We have two of these plus one wearable, vertical suit. Featured in a Budweiser Super Bowl Ad. Requires 1 Supervisor, 2-4 Puppeteers, 2 Technicians, Set Kit/Truck Rentals, and either an elevated platform or a bit of excavatin'!

Of course, there's more in our Shop that there is on this Page. This is only a partial list, so please call us and see what else we have that might help you with your project!

The Character Shop can custom Design, Create, and bring just about any animal, alien, creature, or character to Life, using animatronics, puppetry, and a bit of talent and wizardy! We also have Animatronic Animal Rentals, and Refurbishing, Repurposing, & Rental services for many of the Creatures, Puppets, and Special Items we have in stock! Give us a call or email us at The Character Shop.

(805) 306-9441 lazzwaldo @ mac.com

TCS Rentals: Animals, Creatures, and Creations for Rent!