Cast and crew discuss the creation of and interaction with these ubiquitous CG creations. Technical factors like rigging and modeling dozens of species was a financial concern, while the composition of shots and sequences with so many critters running about became a cinematic issue. As Pullman explains, dæmons work well on the page because he only calls attention to them when he needs them to speak or act. On film, the sheer amount of animal spirits creates confusion about focal points within a scene. The cumbersome process of using of taxidermed "stuffies," plushies, and small green facsimiles during filming, as well as the hiring of extra crew as puppeteers and prop assistants, makes one again question the point of producing this story in live action. Senior VFX Supervisor Mike Fink frankly stated at one point during this feature, "We're essentially creating an animated movie with live action."
