Wētā Workshop Creative Workshop: Intro to Sculpting

Step into the sculpting room at Wētā Workshop, where characters, creatures and environments are shaped as part of the studio’s craft. In this 90-minute workshop, Wētā Workshop crew guide you through the basics of sculpting in a small-group setting, with time for one-on-one help as you work.

You will experiment with different clays and learn texturing techniques using professional-grade Monster Clay. Using Plastilina, you will build a three-dimensional character and see how simple forms develop into a finished sculpt. The session also introduces ways to turn everyday household materials into sculpture, using the same artisan-level tools used by artists in the Workshop.

This is a practical, hands-on experience focused on making, rather than watching. No creative experience is necessary, so it suits beginners as well as anyone curious about how sculpted characters are developed.

By the end of the workshop, you will have created your own fantastical character and can take your sculpture home to finish and display. For visitors interested in the making side of film design, this offers a clear look at the techniques used inside Wētā Workshop, while giving you the chance to try them for yourself.