How does puppet animation use miniature sets and movable three-dimensional figures?

Puppet animation is a form of stop-motion cinematography that relies on the frame-by-frame manipulation of three-dimensional figures, such as puppets or marionettes.1

To create the illusion of movement, animators perform the following process:

• Phased Movement: The animator makes minute, incremental adjustments to the puppet's position between each individual photograph.1
• Choreography: Because film typically requires 24 frames per second, the animator must carefully choreograph these movements to ensure the final sequence appears fluid when projected.1
• Miniature Environments: These figures are placed within miniature sets, which serve as the physical stage for the action. By photographing these objects against their backgrounds, the animator builds the moving picture through exact timing and precise physical manipulation.1

This technique is distinct from traditional cel animation because it utilizes physical, three-dimensional space rather than successive drawings. While modern computer animation can simulate three-dimensional movement through digital modeling, puppet animation remains a tactile process rooted in the physical photography of objects.12