Meet Tony Candelaria
Director, Sculptor, Puppets
Tony Candelaria is a Los Angeles–based stop-motion artist, puppet fabricator, director and magician whose work includes projects, Coraline, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Shape Island, and working with filmmaker David Lynch.
Making Magic
From working with David Lynch to art directing stop-motion television series, Tony Candelaria has built a career around unique collaborations and one-of-a-kind fabrication challenges. Guided by a relentless curiosity, his work spans puppetry, sculpture, filmmaking, magic, and practical effects, always following the next creative adventure.
Puppet Consultation
Have an idea and want to talk with a puppet professional?
Candelaria Productions offers consulting and R&D support for puppet, fabrication, stop-motion, and practical effects projects — helping develop ideas, solve technical challenges, and bring concepts to life.
Music videos + Animated short films
In 2011 Tony directed his first music video, Forest Fire, for the band Scrimshander.
Incorporating a mixed media of shadow puppets and marionettes, the images captured showcase the incredibly hand crafted by a team of his friends and colleagues from the animation and art world.
Sculpture has been at the foundation of my creative work for over two decades. From character maquettes and production models to puppets, props, and collectible figures, he specializes in translating two-dimensional designs into three-dimensional forms. His approach combines strong design sensibilities with an understanding of fabrication, ensuring that each sculpt is both visually compelling and built with purpose. He has worked as a sculptor on an array of projects. From animated characters to Bob Baker Marionettes.
For over 20 years, I've worked in stop-motion animation as a director, sculptor, puppet fabricator, and art director. My work has included designing and building characters, puppets, props, and miniature worlds for feature films, television, commercials, and music videos. I love the hands-on nature of stop-motion and the unique challenge of bringing inanimate objects to life one frame at a time
Demo Reel
Directing, Art directing, puppet fabrication and stop-motion
email: candelariaproductions@gmail.com
Instagram: tony_a_candelaria