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Mak Wilson

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Mak Wilson
Born (1957-09-03) 3 September 1957 (age 67)
Other namesMac Wilson
Malcolm Wilson
Occupations
  • Puppeteer
  • writer
  • animation director
  • mocap artist
Years active1973-present

Mak Wilson (born 3 September 1957) is a now retired English puppeteer, writer, CG animation director, and mocap artist.[1] He is also known as Mac Wilson and Malcolm Wilson.

Early life and career

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Wilson was born in Consett, England, but grew up in nearby Stanley, County Durham. He began his professional career in 1973 at the age of 15, but his screen physical performer and puppeteering work started in 1981 with The Dark Crystal. Wilson had previously toured on stage where he often did mime, mask and puppeteering.

From 1990 he became head puppeteer and creative advisor for the London Jim Henson's Creature Shop, but when it closed down in 2005 Mak Wilson began freelancing and worked extensively with the BBC.[2] He was forced to retire in 2014 after his longstanding M.E./C.F.S. became too severe for him to continue. He now spends his time writing on the subjects of King Arthur and the ‘Dark Ages’ in general.

Filmography

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Film

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Television

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  • The Furchester Hotel - Harvey P. Dull, Guest characters and Puppeteer Captain - CBeebies/Sesame Street production
  • Mr. Bloom's Nursery - Colin the runner bean and Tom the potato
  • CBBC presentation guests - puppeteer of a mad rabbit, a wacky octopus and reindeer
  • ABC Bear - The Bear and puppet choreographer - Austria
  • Mongrels - Guest characters
  • Doctor Who - Movement choreographer for Helen McCrory
  • X-Factor with The Muppets - puppet choreographer and puppeteer
  • 2007 Brit Awards - Opening of the event with the Scissor Sisters - puppet choreographer
  • 2005 Brit Awards - Opening of the event with the Scissor Sisters - puppet choreographer
  • Fur TV - puppeteer of Lapeno
  • Jack and the Beanstalk-the True Story - animatronic puppeteer and CGI animation director
  • Farscape - animatronic puppetry teacher
  • Saturday Night Takeaway - puppeteer assistant to Kermit the Frog
  • Fungus the Bogeyman - Fungus (through MoCap)
  • The Hoobs - consultant, OB director, puppet choreographer, puppeteer
  • Mopatop's Shop - Mopatop (1999-2001)
  • "Bits and Bobs" - Developer, Puppet Director
  • Construction Site - Lug the Dump Truck, Scooch the Dump Truck - Director and co producer
  • Dinosaurs - Face/Head Operation of Earl Sinclair (Seasons 2-4)[5]
  • Jim Henson's Animal Show - Yves St. La Roache (1994), Achilles the Shark, Billy Bob the Lemur, Bosko the Baboon, Chauncey the Sea Turtle, Chaz the Chameleon, Chuck the Lion, Clive the Kiwi, Cool the Kangaroo Rat, Dooley the Armadillo, Flora the Koala, Fluke the Dolphin, Harry the Rhinoceros, Leapovitch the Frog, Morton the Beaver, Nippy the Tiger Beetle, Plunk the Sea Otter, Ringo the Elephant, Robert the Red Deer, Sean the Rabbit, Swifty the Cheetah, Victor the Rattlesnake
  • Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories - Various
  • The Ghost of Faffner Hall - Farkus Faffner
  • The Storyteller - Various Creature Performances

Listed as ‘Crew’ but actually puppeteer

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References

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  1. ^ Riding, Alan (October 29, 1995). "Puppeteers bring Pinocchio to life". NY Times News Service. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Jon Henley: The story behind that talking hands advert". 26 March 2008.
  3. ^ O'Dair, Marcus (2010). The Rough Guide to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. O'Dair. ISBN 9780786486946.
  4. ^ "Martin Landau's Father Role Is Unlike Any Other - CSMonitor.com".
  5. ^ Blakey, Bob (January 22, 1993). "How to Move a Dinosaur: Animatronic wizards give life to Earl Sinclair and his big brood". The Regina Leader-Post. p. 53. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
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