diff --git a/core/src/avm1/activation.rs b/core/src/avm1/activation.rs
index 698128483b3e..302086d05ea4 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/activation.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/activation.rs
@@ -1470,12 +1470,9 @@ impl<'a, 'gc> Activation<'a, 'gc> {
             // InitArray pops no args and pushes undefined if num_elements is out of range.
             Value::Undefined
         } else {
-            ArrayObject::new(
-                self.gc(),
-                self.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-                (0..num_elements as i32).map(|_| self.context.avm1.pop()),
-            )
-            .into()
+            ArrayObject::builder(self)
+                .with((0..num_elements as i32).map(|_| self.context.avm1.pop()))
+                .into()
         };
 
         self.context.avm1.push(result);
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/flv.rs b/core/src/avm1/flv.rs
index fdb21a7c469d..8850ea37d4bc 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/flv.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/flv.rs
@@ -39,12 +39,9 @@ fn avm1_array_from_flv_values<'gc>(
     activation: &mut Activation<'_, 'gc>,
     values: Vec<FlvValue>,
 ) -> Avm1Value<'gc> {
-    ArrayObject::new(
-        activation.gc(),
-        activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-        values.iter().map(|v| v.clone().to_avm1_value(activation)),
-    )
-    .into()
+    ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+        .with(values.iter().map(|v| v.clone().to_avm1_value(activation)))
+        .into()
 }
 
 pub trait FlvValueAvm1Ext<'gc> {
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/function.rs b/core/src/avm1/function.rs
index 1e2cd15b2a92..fbd04fea8c54 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/function.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/function.rs
@@ -194,11 +194,7 @@ impl<'gc> Avm1Function<'gc> {
             return;
         }
 
-        let arguments = ArrayObject::new(
-            frame.gc(),
-            frame.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-            args.iter().cloned(),
-        );
+        let arguments = ArrayObject::builder(frame).with(args.iter().cloned());
 
         arguments.define_value(
             frame.gc(),
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/array.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/array.rs
index 2bb617a59e9f..f4d5d348fe15 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/array.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/array.rs
@@ -93,12 +93,9 @@ pub fn constructor<'gc>(
         array.set_length(activation, length.clamp_to_i32())?;
         Ok(array.into())
     } else {
-        Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-            activation.gc(),
-            activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-            args.iter().cloned(),
-        )
-        .into())
+        Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+            .with(args.iter().cloned())
+            .into())
     }
 }
 
@@ -302,12 +299,9 @@ pub fn slice<'gc>(
         make_index_absolute(end.coerce_to_i32(activation)?, length)
     };
 
-    Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-        activation.gc(),
-        activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-        (start..end).map(|i| this.get_element(activation, i)),
-    )
-    .into())
+    Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+        .with((start..end).map(|i| this.get_element(activation, i)))
+        .into())
 }
 
 pub fn splice<'gc>(
@@ -367,12 +361,9 @@ pub fn splice<'gc>(
     }
     this.set_length(activation, length - delete_count + items.len() as i32)?;
 
-    Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-        activation.gc(),
-        activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-        result_elements,
-    )
-    .into())
+    Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+        .with(result_elements)
+        .into())
 }
 
 pub fn concat<'gc>(
@@ -402,12 +393,7 @@ pub fn concat<'gc>(
             elements.push(value);
         }
     }
-    Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-        activation.gc(),
-        activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-        elements,
-    )
-    .into())
+    Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation).with(elements).into())
 }
 
 pub fn to_string<'gc>(
@@ -647,12 +633,9 @@ fn sort_internal<'gc>(
     if options.contains(SortOptions::RETURN_INDEXED_ARRAY) {
         // Array.RETURNINDEXEDARRAY returns an array containing the sorted indices, and does not modify
         // the original array.
-        Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-            activation.gc(),
-            activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-            elements.into_iter().map(|(index, _)| index.into()),
-        )
-        .into())
+        Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+            .with(elements.into_iter().map(|(index, _)| index.into()))
+            .into())
     } else {
         // Standard sort modifies the original array, and returns it.
         // AS2 reference incorrectly states this returns nothing, but it returns the original array, sorted.
@@ -738,7 +721,7 @@ pub fn create_proto<'gc>(
     proto: Object<'gc>,
     fn_proto: Object<'gc>,
 ) -> Object<'gc> {
-    let array = ArrayObject::empty_with_proto(context.gc(), proto);
+    let array = ArrayObject::builder_with_proto(context, proto).with([]);
     let object = array.raw_script_object();
     define_properties_on(PROTO_DECLS, context, object, fn_proto);
     object.into()
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/as_broadcaster.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/as_broadcaster.rs
index 056e8357f176..eca5da6623ab 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/as_broadcaster.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/as_broadcaster.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use crate::avm1::property::Attribute;
 use crate::avm1::property_decl::Declaration;
 use crate::avm1::{Activation, ArrayObject, Object, ScriptObject, Value};
 use crate::string::{AvmString, StringContext};
-use gc_arena::{Collect, Mutation};
+use gc_arena::Collect;
 
 const OBJECT_DECLS: &[Declaration] = declare_properties! {
     "initialize" => method(initialize; DONT_ENUM | DONT_DELETE);
@@ -62,11 +62,11 @@ pub struct BroadcasterFunctions<'gc> {
 impl<'gc> BroadcasterFunctions<'gc> {
     pub fn initialize(
         self,
-        gc_context: &Mutation<'gc>,
+        context: &StringContext<'gc>,
         broadcaster: Object<'gc>,
         array_proto: Object<'gc>,
     ) {
-        initialize_internal(gc_context, broadcaster, self, array_proto);
+        initialize_internal(context, broadcaster, self, array_proto);
     }
 }
 
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ fn initialize<'gc>(
     if let Some(val) = args.get(0) {
         let broadcaster = val.coerce_to_object(activation);
         initialize_internal(
-            activation.gc(),
+            &activation.context.strings,
             broadcaster,
             activation.context.avm1.broadcaster_functions(),
             activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
@@ -197,31 +197,33 @@ fn initialize<'gc>(
 }
 
 fn initialize_internal<'gc>(
-    gc_context: &Mutation<'gc>,
+    context: &StringContext<'gc>,
     broadcaster: Object<'gc>,
     functions: BroadcasterFunctions<'gc>,
     array_proto: Object<'gc>,
 ) {
     broadcaster.define_value(
-        gc_context,
+        context.gc(),
         "_listeners",
-        ArrayObject::empty_with_proto(gc_context, array_proto).into(),
+        ArrayObject::builder_with_proto(context, array_proto)
+            .with([])
+            .into(),
         Attribute::DONT_ENUM,
     );
     broadcaster.define_value(
-        gc_context,
+        context.gc(),
         "addListener",
         functions.add_listener.into(),
         Attribute::DONT_DELETE | Attribute::DONT_ENUM,
     );
     broadcaster.define_value(
-        gc_context,
+        context.gc(),
         "removeListener",
         functions.remove_listener.into(),
         Attribute::DONT_DELETE | Attribute::DONT_ENUM,
     );
     broadcaster.define_value(
-        gc_context,
+        context.gc(),
         "broadcastMessage",
         functions.broadcast_message.into(),
         Attribute::DONT_DELETE | Attribute::DONT_ENUM,
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/button.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/button.rs
index 270293c5450b..f19d3ed152d4 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/button.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/button.rs
@@ -95,14 +95,13 @@ fn filters<'gc>(
     this: Avm1Button<'gc>,
     activation: &mut Activation<'_, 'gc>,
 ) -> Result<Value<'gc>, Error<'gc>> {
-    Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-        activation.gc(),
-        activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-        this.filters()
-            .into_iter()
-            .map(|filter| bitmap_filter::filter_to_avm1(activation, filter)),
-    )
-    .into())
+    Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+        .with(
+            this.filters()
+                .into_iter()
+                .map(|filter| bitmap_filter::filter_to_avm1(activation, filter)),
+        )
+        .into())
 }
 
 fn set_filters<'gc>(
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/color_matrix_filter.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/color_matrix_filter.rs
index e364bf68678a..9b4c08a00394 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/color_matrix_filter.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/color_matrix_filter.rs
@@ -65,12 +65,9 @@ impl<'gc> ColorMatrixFilter<'gc> {
     }
 
     fn matrix(&self, activation: &mut Activation<'_, 'gc>) -> Value<'gc> {
-        ArrayObject::new(
-            activation.gc(),
-            activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-            self.0.read().matrix.iter().map(|&v| v.into()),
-        )
-        .into()
+        ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+            .with(self.0.read().matrix.iter().map(|&v| v.into()))
+            .into()
     }
 
     fn set_matrix(
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/convolution_filter.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/convolution_filter.rs
index efaafa88285f..425cfe50ed1d 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/convolution_filter.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/convolution_filter.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ use crate::avm1::function::{Executable, FunctionObject};
 use crate::avm1::object::NativeObject;
 use crate::avm1::property_decl::{define_properties_on, Declaration};
 use crate::avm1::{Activation, ArrayObject, Error, Object, ScriptObject, TObject, Value};
-use crate::context::UpdateContext;
 use crate::string::StringContext;
 use gc_arena::{Collect, GcCell, Mutation};
 use std::ops::Deref;
@@ -167,12 +166,8 @@ impl<'gc> ConvolutionFilter<'gc> {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    fn matrix(&self, context: &mut UpdateContext<'gc>) -> ArrayObject<'gc> {
-        ArrayObject::new(
-            context.gc(),
-            context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-            self.0.read().matrix.iter().map(|&x| x.into()),
-        )
+    fn matrix(&self, activation: &Activation<'_, 'gc>) -> ArrayObject<'gc> {
+        ArrayObject::builder(activation).with(self.0.read().matrix.iter().map(|&x| x.into()))
     }
 
     fn set_matrix(
@@ -366,7 +361,7 @@ fn method<'gc>(
             this.set_matrix_y(activation, args.get(0))?;
             Value::Undefined
         }
-        GET_MATRIX => this.matrix(activation.context).into(),
+        GET_MATRIX => this.matrix(activation).into(),
         SET_MATRIX => {
             this.set_matrix(activation, args.get(0))?;
             Value::Undefined
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/file_reference.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/file_reference.rs
index 32bbbafe50b9..fa01ea50ef42 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/file_reference.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/file_reference.rs
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ pub fn create_constructor<'gc>(
 ) -> Object<'gc> {
     let file_reference_proto = ScriptObject::new(context.gc(), Some(proto));
     define_properties_on(PROTO_DECLS, context, file_reference_proto, fn_proto);
-    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context.gc(), file_reference_proto.into(), array_proto);
+    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context, file_reference_proto.into(), array_proto);
     let constructor = FunctionObject::constructor(
         context.gc(),
         Executable::Native(constructor),
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/gradient_filter.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/gradient_filter.rs
index 7801567183d9..0aa0d468f126 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/gradient_filter.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/gradient_filter.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ use crate::avm1::globals::bevel_filter::BevelFilterType;
 use crate::avm1::object::NativeObject;
 use crate::avm1::property_decl::{define_properties_on, Declaration};
 use crate::avm1::{Activation, ArrayObject, Error, Object, ScriptObject, TObject, Value};
-use crate::context::UpdateContext;
 use crate::string::StringContext;
 use gc_arena::{Collect, GcCell, Mutation};
 use ruffle_macros::istr;
@@ -165,11 +164,9 @@ impl<'gc> GradientFilter<'gc> {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    fn colors(&self, context: &mut UpdateContext<'gc>) -> ArrayObject<'gc> {
+    fn colors(&self, activation: &Activation<'_, 'gc>) -> ArrayObject<'gc> {
         let read = self.0.read();
-        ArrayObject::new(
-            context.gc(),
-            context.avm1.prototypes().array,
+        ArrayObject::builder(activation).with(
             read.colors[..read.num_colors]
                 .iter()
                 .map(|r| r.color.to_rgb().into()),
@@ -203,11 +200,9 @@ impl<'gc> GradientFilter<'gc> {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    fn alphas(&self, context: &mut UpdateContext<'gc>) -> ArrayObject<'gc> {
+    fn alphas(&self, activation: &Activation<'_, 'gc>) -> ArrayObject<'gc> {
         let read = self.0.read();
-        ArrayObject::new(
-            context.gc(),
-            context.avm1.prototypes().array,
+        ArrayObject::builder(activation).with(
             read.colors[..read.num_colors]
                 .iter()
                 .map(|r| (f64::from(r.color.a) / 255.0).into()),
@@ -243,11 +238,9 @@ impl<'gc> GradientFilter<'gc> {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    fn ratios(&self, context: &mut UpdateContext<'gc>) -> ArrayObject<'gc> {
+    fn ratios(&self, activation: &Activation<'_, 'gc>) -> ArrayObject<'gc> {
         let read = self.0.read();
-        ArrayObject::new(
-            context.gc(),
-            context.avm1.prototypes().array,
+        ArrayObject::builder(activation).with(
             read.colors[..read.num_colors]
                 .iter()
                 .map(|r| r.ratio.into()),
@@ -474,17 +467,17 @@ fn method<'gc>(
             this.set_angle(activation, args.get(0))?;
             Value::Undefined
         }
-        GET_COLORS => this.colors(activation.context).into(),
+        GET_COLORS => this.colors(activation).into(),
         SET_COLORS => {
             this.set_colors(activation, args.get(0))?;
             Value::Undefined
         }
-        GET_ALPHAS => this.alphas(activation.context).into(),
+        GET_ALPHAS => this.alphas(activation).into(),
         SET_ALPHAS => {
             this.set_alphas(activation, args.get(0))?;
             Value::Undefined
         }
-        GET_RATIOS => this.ratios(activation.context).into(),
+        GET_RATIOS => this.ratios(activation).into(),
         SET_RATIOS => {
             this.set_ratios(activation, args.get(0))?;
             Value::Undefined
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/key.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/key.rs
index 1d3fe2fae041..aba3d4348442 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/key.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/key.rs
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ pub fn create_key_object<'gc>(
     array_proto: Object<'gc>,
 ) -> Object<'gc> {
     let key = ScriptObject::new(context.gc(), Some(proto));
-    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context.gc(), key.into(), array_proto);
+    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context, key.into(), array_proto);
     define_properties_on(OBJECT_DECLS, context, key, fn_proto);
     key.into()
 }
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/mouse.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/mouse.rs
index 33b4e5f97123..c2fdfe8fa40d 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/mouse.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/mouse.rs
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ pub fn create_mouse_object<'gc>(
     array_proto: Object<'gc>,
 ) -> Object<'gc> {
     let mouse = ScriptObject::new(context.gc(), Some(proto));
-    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context.gc(), mouse.into(), array_proto);
+    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context, mouse.into(), array_proto);
     define_properties_on(OBJECT_DECLS, context, mouse, fn_proto);
     mouse.into()
 }
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/movie_clip.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/movie_clip.rs
index 6c05f5afc975..5d647480040a 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/movie_clip.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/movie_clip.rs
@@ -1784,14 +1784,13 @@ fn filters<'gc>(
     this: MovieClip<'gc>,
     activation: &mut Activation<'_, 'gc>,
 ) -> Result<Value<'gc>, Error<'gc>> {
-    Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-        activation.gc(),
-        activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-        this.filters()
-            .into_iter()
-            .map(|filter| bitmap_filter::filter_to_avm1(activation, filter)),
-    )
-    .into())
+    Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+        .with(
+            this.filters()
+                .into_iter()
+                .map(|filter| bitmap_filter::filter_to_avm1(activation, filter)),
+        )
+        .into())
 }
 
 fn set_filters<'gc>(
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/movie_clip_loader.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/movie_clip_loader.rs
index 002a88844649..9ec6eb5a1358 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/movie_clip_loader.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/movie_clip_loader.rs
@@ -24,11 +24,7 @@ pub fn constructor<'gc>(
     this: Object<'gc>,
     _args: &[Value<'gc>],
 ) -> Result<Value<'gc>, Error<'gc>> {
-    let listeners = ArrayObject::new(
-        activation.gc(),
-        activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-        [this.into()],
-    );
+    let listeners = ArrayObject::builder(activation).with([this.into()]);
     this.define_value(
         activation.gc(),
         "_listeners",
@@ -170,7 +166,7 @@ pub fn create_proto<'gc>(
     broadcaster_functions: BroadcasterFunctions<'gc>,
 ) -> Object<'gc> {
     let mcl_proto = ScriptObject::new(context.gc(), Some(proto));
-    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context.gc(), mcl_proto.into(), array_proto);
+    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context, mcl_proto.into(), array_proto);
     define_properties_on(PROTO_DECLS, context, mcl_proto, fn_proto);
     mcl_proto.into()
 }
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/selection.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/selection.rs
index 1ca5ed58dc7f..977bca6c8ead 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/selection.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/selection.rs
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ pub fn create_selection_object<'gc>(
     array_proto: Object<'gc>,
 ) -> Object<'gc> {
     let object = ScriptObject::new(context.gc(), Some(proto));
-    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context.gc(), object.into(), array_proto);
+    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context, object.into(), array_proto);
     define_properties_on(OBJECT_DECLS, context, object, fn_proto);
     object.into()
 }
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/stage.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/stage.rs
index 0243e27e483f..e7c2eb3254ad 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/stage.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/stage.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ pub fn create_stage_object<'gc>(
     broadcaster_functions: BroadcasterFunctions<'gc>,
 ) -> Object<'gc> {
     let stage = ScriptObject::new(context.gc(), Some(proto));
-    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context.gc(), stage.into(), array_proto);
+    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context, stage.into(), array_proto);
     define_properties_on(OBJECT_DECLS, context, stage, fn_proto);
     stage.into()
 }
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/string.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/string.rs
index ef7b29380a5e..07f2dc1c3479 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/string.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/string.rs
@@ -277,31 +277,25 @@ fn split<'gc>(
             // but Flash does not.
             // e.g., split("foo", "") returns ["", "f", "o", "o", ""] in Rust but ["f, "o", "o"] in Flash.
             // Special case this to match Flash's behavior.
-            Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-                activation.gc(),
-                activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-                this.iter()
-                    .take(limit)
-                    .map(|c| AvmString::new(activation.gc(), WString::from_unit(c)).into()),
-            )
-            .into())
+            Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+                .with(
+                    this.iter()
+                        .take(limit)
+                        .map(|c| activation.strings().make_char(c).into()),
+                )
+                .into())
         } else {
-            Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-                activation.gc(),
-                activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-                this.split(&delimiter)
-                    .take(limit)
-                    .map(|c| AvmString::new(activation.gc(), c).into()),
-            )
-            .into())
+            // TODO(moulins): make dependent AvmStrings instead of reallocating.
+            Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+                .with(
+                    this.split(&delimiter)
+                        .take(limit)
+                        .map(|c| AvmString::new(activation.gc(), c).into()),
+                )
+                .into())
         }
     } else {
-        Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-            activation.gc(),
-            activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-            [this.into()],
-        )
-        .into())
+        Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation).with([this.into()]).into())
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/style_sheet.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/style_sheet.rs
index d5a2e50451f6..3d7207bd7ac8 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/style_sheet.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/style_sheet.rs
@@ -138,14 +138,13 @@ fn get_style_names<'gc>(
     let css = this
         .get_stored("_css".into(), activation)?
         .coerce_to_object(activation);
-    Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-        activation.gc(),
-        activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-        css.get_keys(activation, false)
-            .into_iter()
-            .map(Value::String),
-    )
-    .into())
+    Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+        .with(
+            css.get_keys(activation, false)
+                .into_iter()
+                .map(Value::String),
+        )
+        .into())
 }
 
 fn load<'gc>(
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/system_ime.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/system_ime.rs
index aff63daf5cfc..3d9fcba51967 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/system_ime.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/system_ime.rs
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ pub fn create<'gc>(
     array_proto: Object<'gc>,
 ) -> Object<'gc> {
     let ime = ScriptObject::new(context.gc(), Some(proto));
-    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context.gc(), ime.into(), array_proto);
+    broadcaster_functions.initialize(context, ime.into(), array_proto);
     define_properties_on(OBJECT_DECLS, context, ime, fn_proto);
     ime.into()
 }
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/text_field.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/text_field.rs
index e07f88d88e68..6a53ce9c52d9 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/text_field.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/text_field.rs
@@ -847,14 +847,13 @@ fn filters<'gc>(
     this: EditText<'gc>,
     activation: &mut Activation<'_, 'gc>,
 ) -> Result<Value<'gc>, Error<'gc>> {
-    Ok(ArrayObject::new(
-        activation.gc(),
-        activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-        this.filters()
-            .into_iter()
-            .map(|filter| bitmap_filter::filter_to_avm1(activation, filter)),
-    )
-    .into())
+    Ok(ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+        .with(
+            this.filters()
+                .into_iter()
+                .map(|filter| bitmap_filter::filter_to_avm1(activation, filter)),
+        )
+        .into())
 }
 
 fn set_filters<'gc>(
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/globals/text_format.rs b/core/src/avm1/globals/text_format.rs
index 2e045937cc06..0325e2a8f5c1 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/globals/text_format.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/globals/text_format.rs
@@ -375,12 +375,9 @@ fn tab_stops<'gc>(activation: &mut Activation<'_, 'gc>, text_format: &TextFormat
         .tab_stops
         .as_ref()
         .map_or(Value::Null, |tab_stops| {
-            ArrayObject::new(
-                activation.gc(),
-                activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-                tab_stops.iter().map(|&x| x.into()),
-            )
-            .into()
+            ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+                .with(tab_stops.iter().map(|&x| x.into()))
+                .into()
         })
 }
 
diff --git a/core/src/avm1/object/array_object.rs b/core/src/avm1/object/array_object.rs
index 945e3dab1acb..5d2727235c71 100644
--- a/core/src/avm1/object/array_object.rs
+++ b/core/src/avm1/object/array_object.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 use crate::avm1::property::Attribute;
 use crate::avm1::{Activation, Error, Object, ObjectPtr, ScriptObject, TObject, Value};
 use crate::ecma_conversions::f64_to_wrapping_i32;
-use crate::string::AvmString;
+use crate::string::{AvmString, StringContext};
 use gc_arena::{Collect, Mutation};
+use ruffle_macros::istr;
 use std::fmt;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Collect)]
@@ -17,46 +18,52 @@ impl fmt::Debug for ArrayObject<'_> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<'gc> ArrayObject<'gc> {
-    pub fn empty(activation: &Activation<'_, 'gc>) -> Self {
-        Self::new(
-            activation.gc(),
-            activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-            [],
-        )
-    }
-
-    pub fn empty_with_proto(gc_context: &Mutation<'gc>, proto: Object<'gc>) -> Self {
-        Self::new_internal(gc_context, proto, [])
-    }
-
-    pub fn new(
-        gc_context: &Mutation<'gc>,
-        array_proto: Object<'gc>,
-        elements: impl IntoIterator<Item = Value<'gc>>,
-    ) -> Self {
-        Self::new_internal(gc_context, array_proto, elements)
-    }
+/// Intermediate builder for constructing `ArrayObject`,
+/// used to work around borrow-checker issues.
+pub struct ArrayBuilder<'gc> {
+    mc: &'gc Mutation<'gc>,
+    proto: Object<'gc>,
+    length_prop: AvmString<'gc>,
+}
 
-    fn new_internal(
-        gc_context: &Mutation<'gc>,
-        proto: Object<'gc>,
-        elements: impl IntoIterator<Item = Value<'gc>>,
-    ) -> Self {
-        let base = ScriptObject::new(gc_context, Some(proto));
+impl<'gc> ArrayBuilder<'gc> {
+    pub fn with(self, elements: impl IntoIterator<Item = Value<'gc>>) -> ArrayObject<'gc> {
+        let base = ScriptObject::new(self.mc, Some(self.proto));
         let mut length: i32 = 0;
         for value in elements.into_iter() {
-            let length_str = AvmString::new_utf8(gc_context, length.to_string());
-            base.define_value(gc_context, length_str, value, Attribute::empty());
+            let length_str = AvmString::new_utf8(self.mc, length.to_string());
+            base.define_value(self.mc, length_str, value, Attribute::empty());
             length += 1;
         }
         base.define_value(
-            gc_context,
-            "length",
+            self.mc,
+            self.length_prop,
             length.into(),
             Attribute::DONT_ENUM | Attribute::DONT_DELETE,
         );
-        Self(base)
+        ArrayObject(base)
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'gc> ArrayObject<'gc> {
+    pub fn empty(activation: &Activation<'_, 'gc>) -> Self {
+        Self::builder(activation).with([])
+    }
+
+    pub fn builder(activation: &Activation<'_, 'gc>) -> ArrayBuilder<'gc> {
+        let proto = activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array;
+        Self::builder_with_proto(&activation.context.strings, proto)
+    }
+
+    pub fn builder_with_proto(
+        context: &StringContext<'gc>,
+        proto: Object<'gc>,
+    ) -> ArrayBuilder<'gc> {
+        ArrayBuilder {
+            mc: context.gc(),
+            length_prop: istr!(context, "length"),
+            proto,
+        }
     }
 
     fn parse_index(name: AvmString<'gc>) -> Option<i32> {
@@ -85,7 +92,7 @@ impl<'gc> TObject<'gc> for ArrayObject<'gc> {
         activation: &mut Activation<'_, 'gc>,
         this: Object<'gc>,
     ) -> Result<(), Error<'gc>> {
-        if &name == b"length" {
+        if name == istr!("length") {
             let new_length = value.coerce_to_i32(activation)?;
             self.set_length(activation, new_length)?;
         } else if let Some(index) = Self::parse_index(name) {
@@ -103,7 +110,9 @@ impl<'gc> TObject<'gc> for ArrayObject<'gc> {
         activation: &mut Activation<'_, 'gc>,
         this: Object<'gc>,
     ) -> Result<Object<'gc>, Error<'gc>> {
-        Ok(Self::empty_with_proto(activation.gc(), this).into())
+        Ok(Self::builder_with_proto(activation.strings(), this)
+            .with([])
+            .into())
     }
 
     fn as_array_object(&self) -> Option<ArrayObject<'gc>> {
@@ -115,7 +124,8 @@ impl<'gc> TObject<'gc> for ArrayObject<'gc> {
         activation: &mut Activation<'_, 'gc>,
         new_length: i32,
     ) -> Result<(), Error<'gc>> {
-        if let Value::Number(old_length) = self.0.get_data("length".into(), activation) {
+        let old_length = self.0.get_data(istr!("length"), activation);
+        if let Value::Number(old_length) = old_length {
             for i in new_length.max(0)..f64_to_wrapping_i32(old_length) {
                 self.delete_element(activation, i);
             }
diff --git a/core/src/display_object/edit_text.rs b/core/src/display_object/edit_text.rs
index 4b667d780afd..deb9a068f274 100644
--- a/core/src/display_object/edit_text.rs
+++ b/core/src/display_object/edit_text.rs
@@ -2038,7 +2038,7 @@ impl<'gc> EditText<'gc> {
     fn initialize_as_broadcaster(&self, activation: &mut Avm1Activation<'_, 'gc>) {
         if let Avm1Value::Object(object) = self.object() {
             activation.context.avm1.broadcaster_functions().initialize(
-                activation.gc(),
+                &activation.context.strings,
                 object,
                 activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
             );
diff --git a/core/src/external.rs b/core/src/external.rs
index 4a3c0a6ed5c2..37d58ffac5b8 100644
--- a/core/src/external.rs
+++ b/core/src/external.rs
@@ -183,14 +183,13 @@ impl Value {
                 }
                 object.into()
             }
-            Value::List(values) => Avm1ArrayObject::new(
-                activation.gc(),
-                activation.context.avm1.prototypes().array,
-                values
-                    .iter()
-                    .map(|value| value.to_owned().into_avm1(activation)),
-            )
-            .into(),
+            Value::List(values) => Avm1ArrayObject::builder(activation)
+                .with(
+                    values
+                        .iter()
+                        .map(|value| value.to_owned().into_avm1(activation)),
+                )
+                .into(),
         }
     }