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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