Animation maquettes from The Tale of Despereaux...

These animation maquettes from The Tale of Despereaux were on display at Universal Studios Hollywood on January 7, 2011. Animators who work on computer-generated feature films often use concept sketches, maquettes and miniature models as reference guides when creating computer images of the characters and the world they inhabit.

Original animation maquettes from The Tale of Despereaux

The movie follows the adventures of the misfit mouse 'Despereaux Tilling'.

The Tale of Despereaux movie poster

Princess Pea maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

'Princess Pea' of the kingdom of 'Dor' is voiced in the movie by Emma Watson (aka 'Hermione Granger' of Harry Potter fame).

Unpainted Miggery Sow maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

'Miggery Sow', Princess Pea's slow-witted serving girl, is voiced by Tracey Ullman.

Unpainted Old Louise maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

Jane Karen voices another servant, 'Old Louise', in the movie.

Unpainted Queen maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

The role of the Queen in the film is voiced by Patricia Cullen.

Also on display as part of the exhibit from the animated movie was this miniature model.

Shelves miniature from The Tale of Despereaux

Check out even more Tale of Despereaux animation maquettes and miniatures here at Hollywood Movie Costumes and Props.

Buy the movie: The Tale of Despereaux

The Tale of Despereaux [Blu-ray]

Buy the movie storybook tie-in: The Tale of Despereaux Movie Tie-In: The Deluxe Storybook

Queen Narissa's Hag costume from Disney's Enchanted...

In Disney's Enchanted, Susan Sarandon plays the duplicitous 'Queen Narissa' and transforms into this 'Hag' character in order to tempt the heroine, 'Giselle', with a traditional poisoned apple.

Queen Narissa's Hag costume

worn by Susan Sarandon in Enchanted

This costume is a real homage to the old woman (herself the disguised Queen) from Disney classic, Snow White, who tried the same tactics with a deadly apple.

Enchanted movie poster

Costume Designer Mona May based this 'live-action' costume on the cloak the disguised Narissa wears in the film's animated opening sequence, when the wicked witch pushes Giselle into a magic portal which transports her to the human world of New York City.

Original Hag costume from Enchanted on display

This costume was on display alongside Susan Sarandon's other Queen Narissa costume from Enchanted within The American Film Institute's movie villain showcase at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida on September 22, 2010.

Buy the Disney movie: Enchanted (Full Screen Edition)

Enchanted [Blu-ray]

Timothy Spall's Nathaniel costume from Disney's Enchanted...

In Disney's 2007 animation and live-action movie, Enchanted, Timothy Spall plays 'Nathaniel', the henchman of the scheming 'Queen Narissa'.

Original costume worn by Timothy Spall

as Nathaniel in Enchanted

His character is a loyal servant, who is so utterly enamored with the villainous Queen that he does her evil bidding without question.

Original Nathaniel costume from Disney's Enchanted

Mona May was the Costume Designer of this Andalasian royal servant's attire, which Timothy Spall wore on location in New York City, when his 'animated' character emerges into the 'real world' and becomes human.

Enchanted movie poster

If you like this Enchanted movie outfit be sure to also check out Queen Narissa's costume worn by Susan Sarandon.

Buy the movie: Enchanted [Blu-ray]

Enchanted (Full Screen Edition)

Susan Sarandon's Queen Narissa costume from Enchanted...

Following in the footsteps of classic animated Disney villains, Susan Sarandon actually had the chance to bring her villainous character, 'Queen Narissa', to life in the animation to live-action 2007 comedy fairytale, Enchanted.

Queen Narissa costume worn by Susan Sarandon in Enchanted

In order to keep her ill-gotten crown, the evil Queen Narissa banishes 'Giselle' (Amy Adams) from the animated kingdom of Andalasia to the very real world of New York City. However, when her evil scheming doesn't go to plan she's forced to travel to the human world and finish the job in person.

Enchanted movie poster

Susan Sarandon wore this magical costume when Narissa makes a surprise appearance at the King and Queen's Ball towards the climax of the movie.

Original Queen Narissa costume exhibit

The outfit is styled in the tradition of the great Disney villains like the 'Queen' in Snow White and 'Maleficent' from Sleeping Beauty.

Narissa gown concept sketch

The beautifully iridescent gown was designed by Mona May and the scale-like detail incorporated into the dress is due to the fact that Narissa uses her sorceress powers to transform into a fearsome dragon at the end of the movie to try and kill Giselle.

Queen Narissa dress detail

It was fantastic to see this amazingly detailed costume up close as it looked even more impressive in person than on the big screen. The outfit was on display at The American Film Institute showcase of movie villain costumes at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida on September 22, 2010.

If you like this costume you'll also probably love Giselle's curtain dress worn by Amy Adams in Enchanted.

Buy the Disney movie: Enchanted [Blu-ray]

Enchanted (Widescreen Edition)

The Tale of Despereaux maquettes and miniatures...

This is the final installment of all the wonderful costumes, props and models that were on display on my latest visit to Universal Studios Hollywood on June 21, 2010.

Today is the turn of the 2008 computer-animated feature film The Tale of Despereaux, featuring maquettes and miniatures used in the creation of the movie.

Maquettes from The Tale of Despereaux

Most CGI (computer-generated imagery) animated characters start life as a sketch or small sculptures called 'maquettes'. The small model serves as a reference aid for the animator when creating a computer image of the character.

Despereaux character maquette

The adventurous mouse 'Despereaux Tilling' is voiced by Matthew Broderick.

Unpainted Roscuro maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

'Roscuro' the rat is voiced by Dustin Hoffman.

Miggery Sow painted maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

In the movie 'Princess Pea's' servant girl, 'Miggery Sow', is voiced by Tracey Ullman.

Unpainted Andre maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

Kevin Kline provides the voice for 'Chef Andre'.

The Tale of Despereaux movie poster

In addition to the wonderful character maquettes, there were also a number of miniatures from the movie on display.

Mouse House miniature from The Tale of Despereaux

Pin Cushion Shelter miniature from The Tale of Despereaux

Jewelry Box miniature from The Tale of Despereaux

Hat Models miniature from The Tale of Despereaux

If you want to see more behind-the-scenes secrets from Universal Studios be sure to check out these other movie and TV costumes, props and models that were part of the recent exhibit.

Buy the storybook: The Tale of Despereaux Movie Tie-In: The Deluxe Storybook

Buy the movie: The Tale of Despereaux [Blu-ray]

The Tale of Despereaux