It was shot in high definition on green screen and all the sets are computer generated. The amount of work seems very impressive indeed. There are 4 original songs by our composer JP Houston (Big Comfy Couch) and the show features the puppetry talents of Bob Stutt (Fraggle Rock, Panda Bear Daycare), Karen Valleau (Sesame Park, Mr. Dressup), Fred Stinson (Big Comfy Couch, Panda Bear Daycare), Gord Robertson (Fraggle Rock, Panda Bear Daycare) and Ben Deutsch (Land O’ Hands) – with some additional voicing by Alyson Court (Big Comfy Couch, Resident Evil).  Creator Rob Mills added, “The whole thing has been funded by contributions through Indie Go-Go, a crowdfunding web site and a lot of sweat equity and favours.”

So if you want to see what the finished project looks like, be sure to go to the public screening at the Revue Cinema in Toronto on December 17th with box office proceeds going to support the Toronto Public Library Foundation.

They were able to get a second round of funding through their Indie Go-Go campaign.

It looks awesome.  My top hat off to all involved.

UPDATE:  Here is the final video for all to enjoy.

Check out these two video shorts that I helped puppeteer for.  They were created for Let’s Talk Science and use an amazingly cool knitted puppet.  The shorts were co directed by Kathilee Porter and Marty Stelnick.  Kathilee is an amazing director and Marty is a fantastic puppeteer in addition to his directorial abilities.  Marty and I shared the puppeteering duties and I offered the voice work for the puppet (Marty was the narrator).  

Please feel free to go to the Youtube page and leave your thoughts on the videos.

Video # 1 Hair Dressing Mishap

Video # 2 Crash Course in Ramp Design

Enjoy.

Check out their YouTube channel and watch some of their great puppet improv. Here is a sample of their “Puppets vs People ” format.

A great big “thanks” to Aisla for the heads up on this.

These shorts have been produced by Hell Creek Entertainment here in Toronto, ON, CANADA.  It has a few of Canada’s best stand up comics who are trying their “hands” at puppeteering.  The series follows an alien newscast that outlines their eminent takeover of the planet Earth.  Their strategy?  Just sit tight and see what humans do to themselves.  See all four videos on Vimeo here.

On a side note, I built the puppets used for the shoot, trained the puppeteers and did some wrangling for the shoot.

I caught two of those episodes last night and I was amazed with how engaging the episodes were.  Super pacing and really well edited.  I found myself wanting more.  Now as a warning, the humour is not for everyone and the show intentionally tries to “push the envelope”.  It runs right after Robot Chicken and much of the humour is very similar.  So if you are easily offended, or do not like Robot Chicken, then Apollo’s Pad is NOT for you.  This is definitely not a kid’s show and should only be watched by mature audiences.

You can catch these episodes on Sunday nights at 10:30 pm.  The show is made by the same people who brought you Mr. Meaty.

I love showcasing all of the great puppet stuff happening involving Canadians.  Here is a sweet little video from Georgetown, Ontario artist Brennan Finlay.  The video was made by another (former) Ontarian, Filmmaker Julian Grant.  The song is a love letter to Chicago, one of the US cities that I would love to visit, and new hometown of Mr. Grant.  Enjoy!

There is a great interview over at Strange Kids Club (a site dedicated to 80s nostalgia, toys, cinema, horror, and all things animated, illustrated or otherwise art-related)!  It should be noted that the cool puppet on their website was built by the wonderful Mr. Hatter!

The SKC interview a company called Beans and Bueller.  The two artists (Ryan and Sabina) behind Beans and Buller are two fellow “Torontonians”.  Yay,  Canada!  Yay, Toronto!  They have some pretty amazing and quirky shorts and have even scored their first web series for later this year called Bedtime for Bryan.   Click on all of the cool links and check out more about Beans and Buller, and the awesome interview over at Strange Kids Club.

Thanks to Rondal for the heads up!

Many of the old shows are being put up on YouTube and on their website.  Also Rob Mills (creator and puppeteer of Ruffus) has been working on his version of A Christmas Carol.  Check out the teaser and some behind the scenes footage.

Enjoy.

Big City Park is a wonderful puppet show that airs on CBeebeies.  The abundance of puppetry airing in the UK makes me very happy.  I just wish my home country of Canada would follow suit.

The series was shot outside in Ormeau Park, Belfast and was a co production between CBeebies Scotland and Sixteen South Productions.  Sixteen South is also responsible for producing the Northern Irish branch of Sesame Street – Sesame Tree (I’ll be writing more on this soon).

In each episode of Big City Park,  3 children join the characters, May the Park Keeper, Rauri, Billy the badger and Dara the fox for a day of outdoor adventure and play.

Big City Park was recently nominated  at The Irish Film and Television Awards.   At last weeks glamorous award ceremony, in Dublin, the show was presented with the IFTA award for the Best Children’s and Youth Programme!  The award is not only a well deserved accolade for all those who worked to create a special and charming show but also for the art of puppetry on screen.  Congratulations to all those involved!

Enjoy a sample of this whimsical show below.

Special thanks to Josh for the heads up!