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story identification - Early 90s YA novel about a kid into special FX who meets an (animatronic, yet possibly alive) dragon


All i can remember are a few specifics, would love to rediscover the title. Haven't been able to Google up anything.




  • The kid (~13) made special effects models as a hobby (only one i can remember is a pair of legs which walked realistically)

  • He got a sort of apprenticeship at a special effects production company

  • There was a full-scale mechanical dragon model being worked on at the time, which spoke to the kid (though this might have just been one of the techs messing with him)

  • Also renting space in the building was a sculptor / jeweler who befriended the protagonist

  • At one point there was a break-in

  • I think it ended with a fire, with the robot dragon moving on its own to save the main character


Sorry to be so vague :( There was an early-'90s UK TV adaptation, but i can remember even less of that than i can the novel.



Answer



This sounds like Monster Maker, adapted from a novel of the same name by Nicholas Fisk.



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