The film used the all the techniques that digital puppet animation afforded to the animators when the movement started in the 1980s. The technique of replaceable articulation or the use of replaceable lower jaws of the character conditionally imitating speech was a major innovation in puppet animation. The animators drew inspiration from the classic stop-motion films of Ivan Ivanov-Vano such as "Go There, Don't Know Where" and those by Tim Burton. The film is constructed in the traditions of the 18th and 19th century. A recording of ancient 18th century minuets was used to describe the choreography of the dance partners in "Hoffmaniada".