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Inquisitive Creatures: Photographs that tell the story of four friends on a quest to invent time travel

Photographer William Castellana and character designer Linda Montanez have created a stunning photo book that tells the story of four furry friends living in an abandoned workshop on a quest to invent time travel.

Written By:
Photography, Lighting, Retouching, Prop Maker, Prop Stylist, Stylist, Set Builder, Special FX, Writing: William Castellana. Character Design, Stylist, Set Builder: Linda Montanez

Photography, Lighting, Retouching, Prop Maker, Prop Stylist, Stylist, Set Builder, Special FX, Writing: William Castellana. Character Design, Stylist, Set Builder: Linda Montanez

The characters in Inquisitive Creatures were crafted and brought to life through the pair's complementary skills of photography, set-building, lighting, writing, character design, prop-making and special effects. And the result is incredible. Every tiny detail is considered from the labels on jars to bookshelves and their contents – it's something we've come to expect from Linda who enjoys experimenting with new materials in her New Jersey workshop.

"As they set out to build a time machine, they discover that teamwork, persistence and above all friendship are the ingredients that make their dream come true," William tells Creative Boom.

"Sprinkled throughout the story are gentle references to some of the greatest scientists of all time including Einstein, da Vinci, Newton, Tesla and Galileo. Through knowledge left behind by these scientific pioneers, and with the guidance of their Professor at the Academy of Science, the child prodigies successfully develop the technology needed to fly into an alternate universe by way of a secret tunnel," William adds.

If you want to see how Winston, Alfred, Harvey and Dempsey invent time travel, you can find out more at inquisitivecreatures.com.

Mouse character in waistcoat sitting in chair amid steampunk laboratory with glowing golden circuitry and scientific equations projected behind, surrounded by vintage furnishings and scientific instruments
Four anthropomorphic animal characters in a classroom-style workshop with blackboard chemistry equations behind them, gathered around a wooden desk with papers and scientific instruments
Four anthropomorphic animal characters in formal attire sit at a desk in a laboratory workshop with chemical formulas on a blackboard behind them.
Two anthropomorphic animal characters sit by a fireplace reading, with a Mona Lisa portrait hanging above and a birdcage visible to the left
Two anthropomorphic animal characters stand in a cluttered steampunk workshop surrounded by maps, scientific instruments, books and wooden shelving containing various curiosities and mechanical objects.
A cow character in a golden-lit room surrounded by framed artworks, a birdcage, and scientific props beneath an arched window
Anthropomorphic animal character with cello in ornate study lined with framed portraits, candlelit furniture and sheet music scattered on wooden floor
Four furry characters in a cluttered workshop filled with books, golden objects and scientific instruments, gathered around a glowing cauldron and ornate chest
Two anthropomorphic animal characters sit at a wooden desk beneath antique celestial globes, surrounded by maps, candles and scientific instruments in a dimly lit workshop setting.
A furry character in goggles stands beside a dinosaur skeleton in a sunlit museum room, with a primate skeleton visible on the right and framed artwork on the wall
A costumed character with a fox head stands in a cluttered workshop surrounded by shelves, workbenches, scientific equipment, books and glowing props under warm lighting
Cluttered steampunk workshop with anthropomorphic animal characters, vintage maps, brass machinery, framed paintings and shelves of books and scientific instruments
A furry character sits at a wooden desk in a cluttered workshop surrounded by books, blueprints, candles and scientific instruments, working on an invention
A theatrical stage with crimson velvet curtains and gold ornate detailing, where a small character stands illuminated by spotlights, flanked by film cameras and golden urns
A costumed character in a white lab coat sits at a wooden desk in a warmly lit workshop surrounded by shelves of glass jars, candles and scientific equipment, with portraits on the walls above
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