Chris Bailey's MAJ. DAMAGE®

Before shooting shots of the animated leads in ALVIN and the CHIPMUNKS, we'd rehearse with these little stuffed stand-ins before shooting the blank plate.  We called it the "stuffy pass." 

It was really fun setting up these shots with the chipmunk dolls and it was amazing how much attitude we could get into them.  We'd spend all kinds  of time and effort into setting up each shot and discussing timing of when the move the came and/or  rack focus from one character to another.  Then in dailies the next day looking at takes, it would look like one shot of dirt after another....but it was really well thought out shots of dirt!