Team Smithereen Blog

Team Smithereen on IMDB

2009-02-27T07:42:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-22T12:42:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-21T20:09:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-18T13:07:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-16T07:17:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

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

Team Smithereen at NY Comic Con

2009-02-13T23:46:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-05T08:22:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-02-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-02T07:09:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-31T09:47:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-22T09:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-20T07:28:00.000-08:00

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

Cyrus and Dan

2009-01-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-18T07:10:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-13T20:24:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-01-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-10T07:21:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-08T06:20:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-02T08:22:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

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.

Happy New Years!

2008-12-31T11:34:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year's Eve from the Dan Clark Company, and the whole cast and crew of Team Smithereen!

Spider Fab

2008-12-30T08:10:00.000-08:00

In this photo from the puppet fabrication department of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, puppet builder Ana Preciado shows off the spider legs for a new specialty puppet.

Team Logo

2008-12-29T06:15:00.000-08:00

Most of the special props and gear used by the stunt puppet stars of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark, Wildbrain, and Jetix Europe is emblazoned with the team's logo. The logo was designed by director/puppet captain/puppeteer Patrick Johnson. The logo features the cast of Team Smithereen - from left to right: Brave Little Francis, Whoop, Thrill Kat, and Stunt Pig.

Big Boots

2008-12-28T09:46:00.000-08:00

Not everything created for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe was made to puppet scale. For one episode, full size puppet boots were required.

Caught in the Act

2008-12-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

Team Smithereen character designer Dave Pressler is caught in the act working on a digital background for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain Jetix Europe.

Dan Clark Directing

2008-12-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

On the Team Smithereen green stage, show director and creator Dan Clark directs a shot from Team Smithereen, his new stunt puppet show.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from The Dan Clark Company, and the whole cast and crew of Team Smithereen.

Smithereen Sound

2008-12-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

All voices for the stunt puppet stars of Team Smithereen, the new puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe are recorded later. The voices for Team Smithereen, and the final sound mix were done at Glenwood Place Studios. in Burbank, CA.

Flying Television

2008-12-23T08:17:00.000-08:00

On the set of Team Smitheeen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrian/Jetix Europe, puppeteers Brian Clark and Russ Walko puppeteer a television falling though the air while director/creator Dan Clark watches the action on a monitor.

Mark Villalobos

2008-12-22T11:52:00.000-08:00

On the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, puppet builder Mark Villalobos gets Whoop ready for another punishing take.

Smithereen Prop Fab

2008-12-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

In this photo, prop fabricator/production designer Brandon Minton uses a balloon to create a wacky new prop for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe.

Team Smithereen Storyboards

2008-12-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

Each Episode of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark, Wildbrain, Jetix Europe is storyboarded before it is shot. In these photos episode director Patrick Johnson consults the boards before he directs the next shot.

New Dan Clark Company Logo

2008-12-19T11:26:00.000-08:00

Dan Clark and the Team Smithereen crew just shot a new logo for the Dan Clark Company, producer of the new stunt puppet show Team Smithereen. The little puppets were made by puppeteer Russ Walko and performed by Russ Walko, Patrick Johnson, Sean Johnson, and Brandon Minton.

Team Smithereen Model

2008-12-18T07:28:00.000-08:00

Most of live action background plates for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, were shot on location. The game show episode called for a more fanciful environment, so the prop department designed and built a model set. Director of photography, Ivan Corona shot the model from all angles, so the CG team could place the puppets seamlessly into the new environment.

Puppet Puke

2008-12-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Making a puppet vomit on the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe is serous buisness. These photos show the steps required to get some good puppet puke.

Piles Both Soft and Hard

2008-12-16T07:17:00.000-08:00

On the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, it is normal to find piles of unusual items. These photos show a pile of jelly candy and bricks - both are from the same episode of Team Smithereen.

Puppet Molds

2008-12-15T06:59:00.000-08:00

The puppets for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, utilized foam latex, and silicone puppets. Each puppet needed to be be cast in a fiber glass, plaster, or silicone mold. This photo from the Team Smithereen puppet shop shows the molds used to make the puppets hands.

Team Smithereen Editorial

2008-12-14T07:15:00.000-08:00

Most of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, is made under one roof. In this shot from the upstairs edit suite, show creator Dan Clark works with Team Smithereen editors Cyrus Navarro and Erik Klassen.

Puppets on Television

2008-12-13T06:45:00.000-08:00

Puppeteers use monitors on puppet video shoots, so that they can watch their performance. In this photo from the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, director of photography, Ivan Corona checks a shot of Stunt Pig in the monitor.

Bricks

2008-12-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

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 prepares to pummel a stunt puppet with bricks.

Monster Puppet

2008-12-10T07:33:00.000-08:00

In this photo Dan Clark, the creator of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, and puppet captian/puppeteer/director, Sean Johnson set up a shot with the Team Smithereen specialty monster puppet.

More Puppets on the set of Smithereen

2008-12-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe depends on it's small but dedicated crew taking on many duties. Although the show has an in house puppet fabrication department, some specialty puppets were needed, so puppeteer Russ Walko, an accomplished puppet builder was tapped to build them. In this photo, one of Russ's creations observes the Team Smithereen shoot.

Puppets and Puppeteers

2008-12-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

The puppeteers get a chance to perform all of the puppets on Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, however some of the puppeteers click with certain puppets. Team Smithereen puppeteer Felix Pire bonded quickly with stunt pig, and usually performs that character.

Lighting Team Smithereen

2008-12-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

Many of the shots in Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, are shot against a green screen so director of photography Ivan Corona must light each set-up to match a live action background plate or a specific background image. In this photo from the set, Team Smithereen puppeteers Brian Clark and Russ Walko perform stunt pig in his special lighting.

More Smithereen Logos

2008-12-06T06:05:00.000-08:00

These concept logos were created by Patrick Johnson for the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, Team Smithereen.

The Puppet Shelf

2008-12-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

Because the puppet stars of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe do their own stunts, more than one of each stunt puppet is needed. This shelf in puppet fabrication shows a bunch of Brave Little Francis puppets sporting a variety of stunt puppet injuries.

Editor in da House

2008-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

On the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, show editor Cyrus Navarro observes the action while puppet captains/puppeteers Sean and Patrick Johnson perform Whoop.

Puppet Fab at the Smithereen Production House

2008-12-03T10:25:00.000-08:00

In puppet workshop for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, puppet fabricator Ana Preciado adds some final details to Whoop's glow in the dark sci-fi costume.

Smithereen Spider Puppet

2008-12-02T08:17:00.000-08:00

Aside from the main stars of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/WildBrain/Jetix Europe, the puppet fabrication department also created a hand full of speciality puppets. The spider puppet was designed by Smithereen character designer, Dave Pressler, and built by Smithereen puppet builders Mark Villalobos, and Ana Preciado.

In this photo from the set, puppet captain/puppeteer Patrick Johnson performs the spider, while puppeteer Felix Pire watches the monitor. The spider puppet was built around a custom made glove and then shot against the green screen. In the final composite, the spider will be shrunk down and appear to be just a few centimeters tall.

Smithereen's Sweet Rides

2008-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

The stunt puppet stars of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, cruise the streets of Los Angeles in style. These stunt veichles were created by Team Smithereen prop masters/production designers Brandon Minton and Lisa Coto.

From Top to Bottom: Whoop's watermellon car, Brave Little Francis's Banana Bike, and the Team Smithereen dump truck.

Smithereen: Aftermath

2008-11-30T10:20:00.000-08:00

This photo taken on location, shows how dangerous the puppet stunts in the new Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe stunt puppet production Team Smithereen, can be to real stunt puppets.

Smithereen Puppeteers Laugh it Up

2008-11-29T14:08:00.000-08:00

On the set of the new stunt puppet show Team Smithereen from creator Dan Clark and producing partners Wildbrain and Jetix Europe, puppet captain/puppeteer Sean Johnson, and puppeteers Russ Walko and Jonathan Kidder share a laugh between takes. Thirll Kat, dressed in his black light, glow in the dark sci-fi gear, is not having as much fun.

It's Raining Popcorn!

2008-11-28T07:15:00.000-08:00

In this photo from the set of the new stunt puppet show, Team Smithereen from creator Dan Clark and co-producers Wildbrain and Jetix Europe, puppeteer Brian Clark sends a plume of popcorn raining down on puppet captain/puppeteer/puppeteer/director Sean Johnson.

Team Smithereen Anatomy of a Puppet Stunt

2008-11-27T10:51:00.000-08:00

The stunts of Team Smitereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe require lots of creative thinking, pre-planning, careful rigging, nerves of steel, and a little luck. Because so much is unknown before the stunt is attempted, the final result is never certain. This post outlines the steps it takes to pull off a spectacular Team Smithereen puppet stunt.

First the stunt is dreamed up, and pitched. Many of the Team Smithereen puppet stunts came directly from the Smithereen production team. Once an idea is chosen, episode storyboards are created. This Team Smithereen storyboard was illustrated by Smithereen puppet captain/puppeteer/director Patrick Johnson.

The finished storyboards are sent to the Team Smithereen producing partners Wildbrain in San Francisco, and Jetix Europe in England. After they've made their notes, the boards are tweaked and finalized.

Most of the puppet stunts developed for Team Smithereen require the production of special props. These custom painted paintballs and official Team Smithereen paintball cannon were created by Smithereen prop masters/production designers Lisa Coto and Brandon Minton.

Stunt day at the Team Smithereen house is full of excitement and some nervous anticipation. Because of the unpredictability of doing live stunts with puppets, the crew must be ready for anything.

In the top photo, prop master/production designer Lisa Coto, director/show creator Dan Clark, and director of photography Ivan Corona make final preparations. The green screen stage has been covered from top to bottom with plastic to protect the lights, and crew from stray paintballs and over spray.

In the middle photo, Team Smithereen puppeteer Russ Walko helps puppet captain/puppeteer/director Sean Johnson suit up in plastic and a protective paintball mask.

In the bottom photo, Team Smmithereen prop master/production designer Brandon Minton prepares to blast stunt puppet Thrill Kat with paintballs.

Action! After lots of hard work and preparation it's time to shoot the puppet stunt. The stunt is shot with two hi-deff cameras so nothing is missed. Some stunts are shoot in slow motion to capture everything in full detail.

Paintball episode director Patrick Johnson observers the action on a flat panel monitor.

Another sucesfull stunt created by the Team Smithereen crew. In the top photo puppet captain/puppeteer Sean Johnson and puppeteer Russ Walko pose with a paint splattered Thrill Kat. The bottom photo shows some of the damage, wear and tear that the Team Smithereen stunt puppets endure on a daily basis.

Whoop gets his Wings

2008-11-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

This production still from the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe Team Smitheen, shows stunt puppet Whoop flying through the air with his handmade wings.

This photo shows what the stunt puppets look once the green screen compositing and puppet eye animation is complete.

Team Smithereen Logos

2008-11-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

Each member of the puppet stunt team in Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe have their own logo. Puppet captain, puppeteer and storyboard artist, Patrick Johnson designed all of the logos for the team. Team Logos from top to bottom: Whoop, Thrill Kat, Stunt Pig, Brave Little Francis.

Smithereen Pig Vomit

2008-11-23T12:18:00.000-08:00

In this photo from the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, Stunt Pig reacts strongly to a puppet stunt gone terribly wrong.

Team Smithereen Dance Party

2008-11-22T10:03:00.000-08:00

In this photo from the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, puppeteer Jonathan Kidder helps Brave Little Francis strut his stuff on a very dangerous dance floor.

Clowning on the Set of Team Smithereen

2008-11-21T08:26:00.000-08:00

Killing stunt puppets is a serious business but there is still plenty of time for fun on the set of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe.

Daredevil Whoop

2008-11-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

On the set of the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe Team Smithereen, stunt puppet Whoop is dressed for action in his official Whoop logo Team Smthereen daredevil fire cape.

Team Smithereen: Buckets O' Goo

2008-11-19T15:53:00.000-08:00

In Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from Dan Clark/Wildbrain/Jetix Eruope, every stunt attempted by the puppets goes terribly wrong. Because of the viceral nature of the puppet kills, prop masters/production designers Bandon Minton and Lisa Coto had to make buckets of icky, sticky, ewey, slimy, goo.

Smithereen Takes to the Streets

2008-11-16T10:24:00.000-08:00

The new stunt puppet show from the Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, Team Smithereen, stars a team of stunt puppets that attempt to execute outrageous and extreme stunts. Despite the shows comic premise and cartoon style, show creator Dan Clark wanted to give Team Smithereen a very visceral real world feel. To accomplish this, the Team Smithereen crew shot many of the puppet stunts on location.

In this location photo, taken in the streets of Los Angeles, Team Smithereen director of photography Ivan Corona sets up a dolly shot.

In this shot, Team Smithereen show creator and director Dan Clark discusses the stunt puppet's action with prop master/production designer Lisa Coto. Sitting in a remote control watermelon capable of traveling at freeway speeds, stunt puppet Whoop is ready for action.

Team Smithereen stunts always take a turn for the worst. In this shot Lisa Coto throws stunt puppet Whoop and his watermelon car from a two story building onto the streets of Los Anglels.

Team Smithereen: Spectacular Kills

2008-11-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

The puppet stunt team and the stars of Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe attempt outrageous stunts on a daily basis. Every stunt has a high degree of risk, and they always goes terribly wrong in a visually spectacular fashion.

The puppet "kills" ad a degree of difficulty to Team Smithereen - director/creator Dan Clark, puppeteers/puppet captains Sean and Patrick Johnson, prop masters/production designers Brandon Minton and Lisa Cota, puppet builder Mark Villalobos, and director of photography Ivan Corona, must all work together to pull off puppet kills that are completely unexpected, visually spectacular, and outrageously funny.

Recipe for Spectacular Team Smithereen Puppet Kills:
Begin with new puppet building materials like foam latex, silicone, and wax, combine with methyl cellulose, liquid nitrogen, and shampoo, mix with a blender, paintball guns or blow torch, shoot at super slow speed with a hi-def camera, throw in some green screen compositing, and a dash of sophisticated digital animation, cook and let cool. Now you have Team Smithereen, a visually delicious hot snack.

Please note: The Team Smithereen crew is a group of highly trained professionals, do not attempt these puppet kills at home.

Props to Props

2008-11-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

The props department for Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe, was called upon to create a variety of unusual props, vehicles, and set pieces. Their daily duties ranged from driving a remote control watermelon at high speeds through a graffiti covered ally, to throwing pumpkins from a two story building, to blasting liquid nitrogen from a sealed plastic container under nine feet of water.

In this photo from the set of Team Smithereen prop master and production designer, Brandon Minton prepares to shoot a high powered paintball gun at an unsuspecting stunt puppet.

Stunt Puppet Preparation

2008-11-12T08:44:00.000-08:00

Prepping for a puppet stunt on the new Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe stunt puppet show, Team Smithereen can be a big job. In this photo Team Smithereen prop master and production designer Lisa Coto covers the digital green screen stage in plastic, prepping for a particularly messy puppet stunt.

Swazzle Lends a Hand

2008-11-11T09:24:00.000-08:00

Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe posed puppetry challenges unlike any other puppet show. To meet these challenges The Dan Clark Company called upon Sean and Patrick Johnson, the co-owners of Swazzle, a highly successful Los Angeles based puppet company.

Since 2004 Swazzle's team of talented professional puppeteers have presented hundreds of puppet shows at venues all over California. Swazzle works with the best in the puppetry field, so it was fitting that Sean and Patrick Johnson were asked to personally assemble the puppeteers for Team Smithereen. Sean and Patrick pulled together L.A.'s top puppeteers, and as puppet captains they collaborated with director/show creator Dan Clark to meet the unique challenges posed by Team Smithereen.

Smithereen Puppet Legs

2008-11-10T08:25:00.000-08:00

Team Smtithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe employs a brand new style of puppetry that utilizes latex puppets, hi-deff green screen compositing, and sophisticated computer animation. In this shot from the Team Smithereen green screen stage, puppeteer Jonathan Kidder prepares to perform Whoop's feet.

Team Smithereen Behind the Scenes Video

2008-11-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

Dan Clark Company producer Don Asher uses a hand held Flip Video to record behind the scenes footage of the new Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe stunt puppet show, Team Smithereen.

Team Smithereen Water Puppets

2008-11-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Although the new Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe stunt puppet show Team Smithereen employs digital green screen compositing, and sophisticated computer animation, the creative team behind Team Smithereen is dedicated to doing the puppet stunts practically.

For a swimming sequence, the crew submerged a large green screen in the pool at the Team Smithereen production house in the Hollywood hills. In this photo, director of photography, Ivan Corona shoots the puppet swimming with the Hi-Deff camera safely enclosed in an underwater camera bag. Team Smithereen puppet captian and puppeteer, Sean Johnson wears a green screen suite, and performs stunt puppet Thrill Kat diving into the pool.

In this shot, Team Smithereen director of photography Ivan Corona reviews the last take, and puppet captain and puppeteer, Sean Johnson poses with Team Smithereen stunt puppet, Thrill Kat.

Television puppetry requires the use of a monitor, so that the puppeteers can see what they are doing. The Team Smithereen underwater stunt sequence made the use of a monitor impossible so every shot needed to be checked immediately to make sure the performances were spot on. In this shot, Team Smithereen director of photography Ivan Corona, puppeteers and puppet captains, Sean and Patrick Johnson, camera assist Marleen Schlawin, and Team Smithereen show creator and director, Dan Clark review the last underwater take.

Team Smithereen Milk Blast

2008-11-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

Team Smithereen, the new stunt puppet show from The Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe involves many unusual stunts. In this behind the scenes photo Team Smithereen, prop masters/production designers Lisa Coto and Brandon Minton aim a high powered air cannon filled with a milky viscus cellulose fluid at the team's umbrellas.

Team Smithereen Puppeteers

2008-11-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

Team Smithereen's unique puppetry style demands the most from L.A.'s top puppeteers. In this photo, Team Smithereen puppeteers Brian Clark, Russ Walko, and Felix Pire puppeteer Brave Little Francis.

Many Francises Lie in Wait

2008-11-06T10:26:00.000-08:00

A bunch of Brave Little Francis puppets await their fate on the set of the new Dan Clark Company/Wildbrain/Jetix Europe stunt puppet show, Team Smithereen.

Smithereen Photo from the Set: 11/03/08

2008-11-04T08:34:00.000-08:00

This photo from the set of the new Dan Clark Company/W!ldbrain/Jetix stunt puppet production Team Smithereen shows stunt puppet Whoop fling into action. All of the puppet's eyes will be computer animated, and in this photo Whoop's small black tracking dots are visible.

Sci-fi Team Smithereen

2008-11-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

On the set of the new Dan Clark Company/W!ldbrain/Jetix stunt puppet production Team Smithereen, puppeteers Russ Walko and Sean Johnson perform Thrill Kat in his special sci-fi gear.

More Team Smithereen Logo Concepts

2008-11-02T10:43:00.000-08:00

This image shows more Team Smithereen logo concepts by Patrick Johnson.

Animation Magazine Visits Team Smithereen

2008-11-01T20:29:00.001-07:00

On Thursday the Team Smithereen crew welcomed a visitor from Animation Magazine. It might seem unusual for Animation Magazine to be interested in a puppet show, but Team Smithereen actually utilizes an innovative mix of latex puppets, digital green screen compositing, and computer animation.

Director and Team Smithereen creator Dan Clark gave him a full tour of the Team Smithereen house. He got to see first hand how the latex puppets were built, and fabricated, then he visited props and editorial, finally he toured the green screen stage to see the stunt puppets in action.

After the tour the whole Team Smithereen crew gathered outside for a round table interview. Animation Magazine is a super cool publication, and the interview was a blast. Look for the Team Smithereen article in the February issue of Animation Magazine.

Team Smithereen Monster Fight

2008-11-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

In this early Team Smithereen concept drawing by Dave Pressler, stunt puppet Whoop is getting ready to box a giant monster.

Poor Little Francis

2008-10-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

Team Smithereen star and stunt puppet Brave Little Francis reacts to another stunt gone horribly wrong.

Whoop on Fire

2008-10-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

Team Smithereen puppet builder Mark Villalobos blasts stunt puppet Whoop with fire. The Team Smithereen crew are trained professionals, do not try this at home.