Ainslie Henderson’s latest film “Stems,” begins with documentary-style insights into the UK writer/director’s design and animation process then evolves into a sweet and playful musical world co-created with composer Poppy Ackroyd.

In his interview with Vimeo, Henderson reveals the film took six months to make and says the puppet designs are vital to the process: “They should have a kind of ‘aliveness’ even before they move, that way you don’t have to do terribly much in the animating to bring them to life.”

“I cherish them. Even the ugly, or half finished ones get a place on the shelf in my studio. They’re like this weird, constantly growing little family who stare out at me from the windowsill as I’m working.”
 

Director/animator: Ainslie Henderson
Music: Poppy Ackroyd