Our Services
When you choose Paragon for your project, our team of specialists is here to support and assist you at every stage.
Pre-Production
We can help with estimating, timeline modelling and feasibility planning for your big idea, to help you figure out how to accomplish your project.
Design Development
Each project has a unique, customized discovery process based on what needs to be proven. Our methods can include prototypes, product research, materials sourcing, sampling, scale models, technical drawings, experiments, etc.
Build
Our in-house skill sets include sculpting, molding and casting, carpentry, welding and metal fabrication, painting, soft goods /soft props, special effects, mechanics, electrical, and electronics. See below for Specialties.
Artistic Guidance & Technical Supervision
Senior management oversees the “big picture” of your project by managing the intersection of disciplines and the flow of the project through the shop, to make sure both the technical requirements and the design intent are always top of mind.
Project Management and Logistics
Our management team is focused on communication, organization, resource planning and administration of your project. We also arrange and coordinate shipments off all shapes and sizes, by land, air and sea, all over the world.
Site Support and Documentation
We can assemble a site support team customized for your needs, for workshops, fittings, rehearsals, or installation. We will also make sure you are prepared with drawings, kits and manuals from us so you have all the info at your fingertips.
Specialties
Over the years we have developed expertise in certain products and techniques.
CARBON FIBER
Super strong and ultra-lightweight, carbon fiber is ideal for anything a performer needs to wear or carry. Vacuum-bagging ensures that only the necessary amount of resin is absorbed in the cloth, which helps to keep the weight down. We also reinforce with other composite weaves, like Kevlar, for additional strength.
Photo: carbon fiber puppet head
PUPPETS
Puppets are one of our favourite things to do. We can make all creatures, great and small. While we mostly do manual animations, we also have experience in servo-controlled movements. Building puppets is a true collaboration, bringing together all the skills and disciplines in the shop.
Photo: internal armature for a puppet arm, elbow and hand
CLEAR CAST RESIN
We have expertise with all types of clear-cast resin, especially polyester and urethane. It can be custom tinted, including multi-colour and ombre techniques. We can also do large volume pours, embedding and over-pours.
Photo: clear cast resin sculpture, Eric Cahan, artist
LED Lighting
The world of LED’s is constantly evolving and opening up new possibilities for custom lighting in so many applications. We have created custom systems in all sizes — from small props to large outdoor installations.
Photo: arm beacons with LED lighting, Robocop (2014)
Spectra Chrome
These samples show SpectraChrome on MDF and metal. We can tint to any chrome colour.
3D Printing
We have five 3D printers that we use to make custom parts for puppets and props.