Kukeleku
Kukeleku is a stop-motion short film created during the Aardman Academy In-Studio course in 2024 at Aardman in Bristol. Over seven months of production, I focused on puppet animation, incorporating effects animated on a multiplane. The story follows Nugget, a young, voiceless rooster who discovers a squeaky toy and uses it to fake his crow. This project combines careful craftsmanship with creative techniques to tell Nugget's heartfelt story about self-acceptance.​​​​​​​
Bringing the characters to life
One of the biggest challenges in this project was turning stylized 2D character designs into physical 3D puppets. I started by exploring 2D shapes and gradually developed them into fully realized 3D designs. After experimenting with materials like clay and foam, I chose wood for its durability and ability to create clean, sharp shapes. The puppets were crafted from wooden parts connected with wire, with replaceable combs, beaks, and tails for added flexibility. The final designs are snappy and stylized, staying true to the original concept art.
Credits
​​​​​​​Direction & Animation: Jelle Janssen
Title Design: D. Forest Gamble
Music & Sound Design by NOZEM Audio: Jeroen Jaspers, Bas van Win
5.1 Upmix: Niek Beemsterboer
HOD Aardman Academy: Mark Simon Hewis
In-Studio Producer: Vanessa Batten
Academy Producer: Katie Daniels
Academy Producer: Rachel Plant
SM1 & SM2 Course Lead: Stuart Messinger
Academy Coordinator: Jodie Partington
Academy PA: Amy Upchurch
Cinematography & Motion Control: George Milburn, Nat Sale
Senior Studio Support Technician: Adam Cook
Studio System Support Assistant: Adam Hanney
Studio System Support Engineer: Will Marshall​​​​​​​
Selections
StopTrik International Film Festival, Slovenia & Poland (2024)
ANIMA - Córdoba International Animation Festival, Argentina (2024)
Animation Nation, Singapore (2024)
Platforma BD - International Cluj Comics, Illustration and Animation Festival, Romania (2024)
Manchester Animation Festival, United Kingdom (2024)
ICONA - Ionian Contemporary Animation Festival, Greece (2024)
LISBIFF - Lisboa Indie Film Festival, Portugal (2024)
Metropolis Film Festival, Italy (2025)