Rafaela van der Linden Nader

Verified New Blades 2026 Exhibitor

GB

2026 graduate experience

BA Model Making, 2026

Specialisations

Architectural / Exhibitions Film / TV / Advertising Sculpture Prop Making

About

I am a Cinema graduate from FAAP (Brazil) with experience in model making, video editing, and art direction. I work mainly in 3D modeling with Rhino, woodworking, painting, Arduino-based interactive props, and both practical and CGI effects. I am seeking opportunities in film or theatre companies to work with practical effects, designing immersive and functional props and on-set effects.

Showreel

Details

Country: United Kingdom

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Portfolio

Model 1

An animatronic creature prop from the universe of Dungeons & Dragons. Appearing as an ordinary chest when closed before transforming into a monster when open.

The Animatronic Mimic Chest features a pneumatic ram that drives the lid, creating opening and closing movements. The eyes protrude through 3D-printed linear gear mechanisms powered by servo motors, synchronized via a potentiometer mounted on the chest lock and programmed through Arduino. The tongue was made from foam latex using a fiberglass mold. The main structure was built from MDF, where was attached textured plastazote planks attached to simulate realistic wooden surfaces, shaped using a Dremel and wire brush, then finished with multiple layers of acrylic paint. Metal details were created from chemiwood, acrylic, and 3D printed parts, finished with iron paste and silverfinger. The teeth were sculpted in clay, molded in silicone, and cast in fast cast for duplication. The mouth interior was made using fabric and liquid latex to create texture.

Inferno Sword

Elegant closed chest

Monster chest

Close up monster chest

Model 2

Inferno sword from the movie of How to Train Your Dragon, featuring LEDs inside the blade to create practical lighting for actors and support CGI fire effects.

The Inferno Sword is a 1:1 scale prop. The handle was mainly made using SLA 3D printing, sculpted in Rhino and ZBrush. The metal sections were finished with iron paste and Silverfinger, while the leather parts were laser-cut and engraved. The blade core was made from round aluminium bars, milled to create space for the LEDs to fit inside. The “fire” effect was created using addressable LEDs controlled by an Arduino, which can be activated either by a button on the dragon horn or through Bluetooth HC-05.

The Inferno Sword, full image of it

The Inferno Sword light working

Closer look at the Inferno Sword

Model 3

A viking boat miniature inspired by How to Train Your Dragon, designed for film sets, forced-perspective shots, or fantasy-themed exhibition display.

The Viking boat is built at 1:59 scale. The main body of the boat was sculpted from chemiwood, with the dragon head and decorative ornaments laser-cut from MDF and acrylic. The chairs, bag, and oars were laser cut from acrylic, while the bucket, chest, and barrel were 3D printed from models sculpted in Rhino. The sail was first shaped in chemiwood, then vacuum formed in styrene to create the final structure. Fabric was sewn around the styrene form, with the design embroidered onto the surface. The boat floor was made from individually cut wooden sheets to create a plank effect.