Team Smithereen on IMDB

Visit the Team Smithereen page on IMDB and learn all about the cast and crew of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe.

Editorial in Full Swing

With principal photography of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe wrapped the focus turns to editorial. Smithereen Editors Cyrus Navarro and Erik Klassen work around the clock to cut the remaining episodes and get the last of the footage into the animation pipeline.

Download Smithereen Article from Anamation Magazine

The Animation Magazine article about Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe, is available to download as a PDF from W!ildbrain's website.

Puppet Pyramid

In this photo from the second to last day of principal photography for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe, puppet captains/puppeteers, Sean and Patrick Johnson; puppeteer, Russ Walko; and script supervisor/editor Erik Klassen keep Brave Little Francis, Whoop and Thrill Kat balanced precariously atop Stunt Pig.

Team Smithereen in Animation Magazine

Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe got a two page write up in March edition of Animation Magazine. The article, which features behind the scenes photos, character shots, and more is available through Animation Magazine's website or at newsstands everywhere.

Wacky Rig

Before principal photography of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe could wrap, the small production crew had two ambitions shows to complete - Skater and Pig Pinata. To accomplish the bazaar stunt finally in the skater episode, puppet captain/puppeteer, Sean pushes home made play dough through a pvc tube. This wacky rig was created by Sean and puppeteer Russ Walko.

Team Smithereen on W!ldbrain Site

Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe is featured on W!ldbrain's main site along with W!ldbrain's other popular shows, Yo Gabba Gabba, The Aqua Bats, and Higglytown Heros. Check out the stars of Team Smithereen at wildbrain.com.

That's a Wrap

After months of tireless work and long hours, principal photograpy of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe has wrapped. These photos are from the last day of shooting.

Smithereen on Ad Age

Advertising Age did a short video segment about W!ldbrain, and the exciting projects they have in the works for 2009. They interviewed W!ldbrain Chief Marketing Officer Michael Polis, and he talked about Yo Gabba Gabba, Kidrobot, and Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/W!ldbrain/Jetx Europe. Visit adage.com to watch the clip.

All in a Days Work

In the race to finish principal photography on Team Smithereen, the new Stunt Puppet show from Dan Clark/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe, the small production team was tasked with completing a bunch of pick ups. This shot of the monitor shows a small sampling of the footage shot during a marathon shooting day.

Smithereen Gets Mention on Toon Zone

On February 8, Toon Zone did a write up about the W!ldbrain panel at Comic Con New York. Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe got a mention in the write up:

"(Bob) Higgins showed the audience a few shorts from "Team Smithereen," a new series of Internet shorts that will be attempting to use the same business model as Seth MacFarlane's Cavalcade of Comedy project. "Team Smithereen" was created by Dan Clark, and Higgins described the teen/tween series as "Mr. Bill Meets Jackass." The audience quickly found out what he meant with three separate shorts of little hand puppets daring each other to do really stupid stunts. The series will be hitting computer screens this Spring."

Visit Toon Zone to read the whole article.

Messy (Smelly) Work

Puppeteering on Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe can be messy and smelly work. In this puppet captain/puppeteer Patrick Johnson performs Thrill Kat as he is hit in the head with a can of soup. Because the show is shot green screen prop masters and production designers, Brandon Minton and Lisa Coto chose to use nacho cheese soup for it's color. The soup also had a very strong odor, and very quickly the small production stage filled with the smell of nacho cheese.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from the cast and crew of Team Smithereen.

Team Smithereen at NY Comic Con

On February 6, 2009 W!ldbrain Head of Creative Bob Higgins, CMO Mike Polis, and a handful of artists showed a couple of episodes of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/W!ldbrain/Jetix Europe. The show was very well received by everyone in attendance.

Sound Design

All of the voices and sound effects for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe are added during post production. In this photo Smithereen sound designer/sound editor Jacqui Siler mixes together puppet voices, sound effects and music to create the show's distinct signature sound.

Moo Little Francis

In this screen grab from Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe Brave Little Frances is dressed in his cow costume. The puppet was shot against a green screen, the background was shot at a Southern California dairy farm, and the eyes were animated in India.

Alien!

Puppeteer Russ Walko made a handful of specialty puppets for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe. This little green alien was made for an episode that takes place in outer space.

Don Asher - Producer

Dan Clark Company producer Don Asher is responsible for running the day to day operations of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe. Although Team Smithereen is a small operation, it spans countries and continents, and Don must coordinate with the Hollywood Hills production team, the San Francisco and London based production companies, and the India based animation company.

Team Smithereen Post

Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe is a very post heavy operation. Lots of different layers and elements are merged together to make each 30 - 90 second mini episode. Editors Cyrus Navarro and Erik Klassen not only cut the shows, they also assemble all of the different elements. The assembleges are used by the Indian digital team to create the final shots.

Thrill Kat

This screen grab from Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe shows how the puppets look when all of the different elements are married together. The Thrill Kat puppet was shot against a green screen, the background plate was shot on location, and his eyes are digitally animated. Each shot of Team Smithereen is a special effects shot, comprised of many separate layers.

Meet the Stars of Team Smithereen

Meet the stars of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe. In this promotional shot, stunt puppets Brave Little Francis, Whoop, Thrill Kat, and Stunt Pig pose in front of the Team Smithereen logo.

Liquid Nitrogen

Back stage at Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe prop master/production designer Lisa Coto experiments with liquid nitrogen. Please remember the Team Smithereen crew are trained professionals - do not try this at home.

Prop Fab

All of the props for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe were made at the Team Smithereen production house in the Hollywood Hills. In this photo prop master/production designer Lisa Coto (or Brandon Minton?!) sculpts a stunt vehicle from a block of Styrofoam.

Climbing the Ladder

On the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, puppet captain/puppeteer/director, Sean Johnson adjusts a ladder so that a stunt puppet can scale it.

Happy Inauguration Day

Happy Inauguration Day from the cast and crew of Team Smithereen.

Cyrus and Dan

Show creator/director Dan Clark and editor Cyrus Navarro on the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe.

Brandon's Paint

The prop department for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe is located in the top level of the Team Smithereen production house. This photo shows some of the materials used to make the props for Team Smithereen.

Monster Direction

On the green screen stage for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, show creator/director Dan Clark blocks the movement of a complex puppet with puppeteers Felix Pire and Russ Walko.

Puppets in Waiting

On the green screen production stage for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, the hero puppets lay in a fleece lined foam bed to keep them safe and ready for action.

Upstairs Editoral

Most of the production from Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe is housed in a large house situated in the Hollywood Hills. In the upstairs editorial suite of the Team Smithereen production house, editor Erik Klassen cuts shows and assembles elements for the digital effects house in India.

Smithereen Logo

Just about every prop, set, or costume for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe is adorned with the Team Smithereen logo. Puppet captain/puppeteer/director Patrick Johnson designed the team's logo with input from director/show creator Dan Clark.

Wildbrain - Producer of the Year

Children's entertainment industry magazine Kidscreen has named Wildbrain the producer of the year. Wildbrain took the top honor because of thier slate of productions and their mass-market licensing program. Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, got a nice mention in the magazine:

"(Wildbrain) plans to bow Team Smithereen online. The live-action/CGI short series about a bunch of hapless puppet stuntmen should help build buzz virally before the concept moves into TV territory."

Click here to read the full article at Kidscreen.com.

What's Behind Door Number One...

On the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, Stunt Pig will attempt a stunt with this mystery prop.

Giving Direction

Dan Clark, creator of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, gives puppeteer Russ Walk direction.

Pig Puppeteers

Many of the puppets on Team Smithereen the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe require two or more puppeteers to perform. In this photo from the set of Team Smithereen, puppeteer Russ Walko performs Stunt Pig's mouth and body, and puppeteer Brian Clark performs Stunt Pig's legs.

Team Smithereen Director/Creator Dan Clark

On the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, show creator/director Dan Clark reviews the storyboards for the next shot.

Stunt Pig

Stunt prepares to attempt another death defying stunt on the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe.

Milk

Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe isn't confined to the green screen stage. Many of the puppet's death defying stunts are performed on location. In this shot, prop master/production designer Lisa Coto drives a remote control stunt vehicle on location at a Southern California dairy farm.



On location at the dairy farm, puppet captain/director/puppeteer Sean Johnson, puppeteer Russ Walko, and Brave Little Francis escape the heat of the day by resting in the shade of hay bales.



Moooo moooooo momo mooom moooo. Team Smithereen mooo moo cow mooomoooo, moo mo moo mooo. mooom oo Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe moo mooooo mom mooooo.



The Team Smithereen crew prepares to shoot a puppet stunt on location at a Southern California dairy farm.



Puppet captain/puppeteer/director Sean Johnson and show creator/director Dan Clark after a successful Team Smithereen location shoot.

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too

In this photo from the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe prop master/production designer Brandon Minton drops a cake on Brave Little Francis. Under the green screen table puppeteer Russ Walko braces for impact.

Graffiti Wall

These graffiti walls in Los Angeles, CA serve as backdrops to many of the puppet stunts in Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe.

Puppet Swim

On the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe director/puppet captain/puppeteer Patrick Johnson makes Thrill Kat swim in the pool.