Mak Wilson
Mak Wilson is an English retired puppeteer, writer, animation director, and motion capture artist. He is also known as Mac Wilson and Malcolm Wilson.
Early life and career
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.
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
Film
Muppets Most Wanted - UK principle puppeteerThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Vogon Interpreter Mee-Shee: The Water Giant - CGI animation director and CGI realtime puppeteerBuddy - animatronic face puppeteer of BuddyDoctor Dolittle - animatronic puppetry advisorLost In Space - CGI animation director and CGI realtime puppeteerMuppet Treasure Island - CGI realtime puppeteer and singerThe Adventures of Pinocchio - Lead animatronic puppeteerLoch Ness - Animatronic and CGI realtime puppeteerBabe - Lead animatronic puppeteer and coordinatorWho Framed Roger Rabbit - FX puppeteerTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze - Lead animatronic puppeteer of Michelangelo, coordinator and the Promoter's AideTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 film) - Lead animatronic puppeteer of MichelangeloThe Bear - Lead animatronic puppeteer and coordinatorLittle Shop of Horrors - Audrey II lipsync puppeteer and Little Audrey II's vocal effectsSanta Claus: The Movie - Lead animatronic puppeteer of DonnaLabyrinth - Animatronic face puppeteer of Hoggle, Brickkeeper, Riding Goblin, Shaft of Hands, GoblinsReturn to Oz - Performer of Billina the chickenGreystoke - Performer of the ape Figs and vocals of the mother ape KarlaThe Dark Crystal - Stand-in performer of Scribe the MysticTelevision
The Furchester Hotel - Harvey P. Dull, Guest characters and Puppeteer Captain - CBeebies/Sesame Street productionMr. 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 - AustriaMongrels - Guest charactersDoctor Who - Movement choreographer for Helen McCroryX-Factor with The Muppets - puppet choreographer and puppeteer2007 Brit Awards - Opening of the event with the Scissor Sisters - puppet choreographer2005 Brit Awards - Opening of the event with the Scissor Sisters - puppet choreographerFur TV - puppeteer of LapenoJack and the Beanstalk-the True Story - animatronic puppeteer and CGI animation directorFarscape - animatronic puppetry teacherSaturday Night Takeaway - puppeteer assistant to Kermit the FrogFungus the Bogeyman - Fungus The Hoobs - consultant, OB director, puppet choreographer, puppeteerMopatop's Shop - Mopatop- "Bits and Bobs" - Developer, Puppet DirectorConstruction Site - Lug the Dump Truck, Scooch the Dump Truck - Director and co producerDinosaurs - Face/Head Operation of Earl Sinclair Jim Henson's Animal Show - Yves St. La Roache, 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 RattlesnakeJim Henson's Mother Goose Stories - VariousThe Ghost of Faffner Hall - Farkus FaffnerThe Storyteller - Various Creature Performances