<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Holly Likes... Puppets: Spotlight On Artists]]></title><description><![CDATA[A space to celebrate fantastic artists who’ve kindly shared their time, stories, and creative projects.
Don’t forget , your work deserves the spotlight too. Share your story with us!]]></description><link>https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/s/spotlight-on-artists</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rXv_!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa3d7344a-f309-4a93-aaf8-ceb8f051a4c3_1080x1080.png</url><title>Holly Likes... Puppets: Spotlight On Artists</title><link>https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/s/spotlight-on-artists</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 20:36:27 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Holly Likes Puppets]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[hollylikespuppets@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[hollylikespuppets@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Holly Likes... Puppets]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Holly Likes... Puppets]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[hollylikespuppets@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[hollylikespuppets@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Holly Likes... Puppets]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[Holly Likes Puppets: Proud Supporter of Gobble]]></title><description><![CDATA[Practical effects, puppets, and a darkly funny short film I&#8217;m helping bring to life.]]></description><link>https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/dinner-is-served-by-a-goblin</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/dinner-is-served-by-a-goblin</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Holly Likes... Puppets]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:42:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg" width="1456" height="971" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:971,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!9ksM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2d676eb4-d41f-4bb9-afbc-8f24acde687d_5616x3744.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>I&#8217;m so excited to share a project I&#8217;m proud to be part of &#8212; <em>Gobble</em>, a puppet short film created by sculptor and practical effects artist Ragwort. This dark comedy follows an old goblin wrestling with his ingredients as he tries to cook dinner deep underground. Think grimy kitchens, slimy creatures, and a stew that bites back.</p><p>What drew me to this film is its commitment to <strong>practical creature effects and puppetry</strong> &#8212; techniques that feel alive in ways CGI never quite can. The goblin himself was sculpted in clay, cast in silicone, and brought to life with puppetry that blends humour, danger, and just the right amount of weirdness.<br>The film is crafted with the same Hollywood magic seen in projects like <em>Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire</em>, <em>American Horror Story</em>, and <em>The Mummy</em> &#8212; because that&#8217;s the world Ragwort has been working in for years. And now, with <em>Gobble</em>, he&#8217;s pouring that experience into his own darkly whimsical vision.</p><p>As an <strong>Associate Producer</strong>, I&#8217;ll be credited in the film and get to enjoy some amazing behind-the-scenes content: production diaries, the finished short, and even a poster. But more than that, I&#8217;m thrilled to help bring this goblin&#8217;s subterranean world to life.</p><p>&#10024; <strong>Watch this space for updates</strong> &#8212; I&#8217;ll be sharing more about the process as the project comes to life.<br>&#128073; In the meantime, you can <strong><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gobble-goblin-short/gobble-a-puppet-short/posts">follow the project here</a></strong> to see Ragwort&#8217;s goblin world unfold.</p><p>Gobble, gobble.</p><div><hr></div><p><br></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[SPOTLIGHT: FELT – A Puppet Tale About Dreams, Doubt, and Dougie]]></title><description><![CDATA[We&#8217;re shining a light on this wildly original short film &#8212; part drama, part felt, all heart.]]></description><link>https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/spotlight-felt-a-puppet-tale-about</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/spotlight-felt-a-puppet-tale-about</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Holly Likes... Puppets]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:36:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0ade2f72-1fc4-4ffa-a521-a6bcdb2b6f76_1920x1080.gif" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There&#8217;s a quirky, heartfelt indie film coming together, and it&#8217;s one we at <strong>Holly Likes Puppets</strong> are backing with full enthusiasm.</p><div id="youtube2-MdRwVDtwz7c" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;MdRwVDtwz7c&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/MdRwVDtwz7c?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.instagram.com/feltshortfilm/&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;CLICK HERE FOR UPDATES&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.instagram.com/feltshortfilm/"><span>CLICK HERE FOR UPDATES</span></a></p><div><hr></div><h2>&#9889;&#65039; Crowdfunding Closes Soon &#8212; Be Part of the Magic</h2><p>The team behind <strong>FELT</strong> are in their <strong>final push</strong> to raise funds, and every donation truly makes a difference. Whether you're pledging &#163;1 or &#163;500, you&#8217;ll be helping bring an ambitious and emotionally rich story to life &#8212; complete with puppets, pathos, and poignant laughs.</p><blockquote><p>&#127919; <strong>This is an urgent call-to-action</strong>:<br>The campaign is flexible funding, but <em>the sooner they hit their goal, the better this film can be.</em></p></blockquote><div><hr></div><h2>&#127909; What is FELT?</h2><p><strong>FELT</strong> is a short film about <em>Dougie</em>, a former folk singer who&#8217;s shut the door on music. That door gets kicked open when <em>Noggin</em> &#8212; a hopeful dreamer with studio gear and felt for skin &#8212; moves in next door.</p><p>The film explores:</p><ul><li><p>The tension between <strong>art and ambition</strong></p></li><li><p>The inner critic vs. the hopeful dreamer</p></li><li><p>What it means to create <em>even when it hurts</em></p></li></ul><p>It&#8217;s <strong>Mike Leigh meets Jim Henson</strong> &#8212; a slice-of-life tale with puppets, but played completely straight.</p><div><hr></div><h2>From Writer/Director Robert Trott:</h2><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;This story means a lot to me because it started as an exercise in writing without thinking.<br>Now before you say &#8216;Yeah, it shows,&#8217; what I mean is, I tried to not get in my way and overthink it into oblivion.<br>What surprised me most was how much I fell for our scrappy tale of dreams gone by, and whether the point is the succeeding, or the trying.</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>I found the more I wrote, the characters felt like the two battling parts of myself: the part that wants to stop pushing to make stuff because of the vulnerable fearlessness needed to share your art, and the endless dreamer who loves it all too much to stop.</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>I want to show what happens when those two values meet &#8212; and the magic of collaboration.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><p></p><h3>Meet the Cast</h3><p>This isn&#8217;t just a felt-fuelled fever dream &#8212; it&#8217;s packed with talent.</p><h3><strong>Chris Kendall</strong> &#8211; Performing Dougie (the puppet)</h3><p>An established puppeteer and creature performer, <strong>Chris</strong> has worked on:</p><ul><li><p>Netflix&#8217;s <em>The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance</em></p></li><li><p><em>The Sooty Show</em></p></li><li><p><em>CBBC&#8217;s Andy and the Band</em></p></li><li><p>ITV2&#8217;s <em>Buffering</em><br>And a slew of commercials, shows, and stage productions. Also an acclaimed <strong>puppet builder</strong>, his craftsmanship gives Dougie true soul (and decent posture).</p></li></ul><h3><strong>Craig Haines</strong> &#8211; Playing Noggin</h3><p>Craig and Rob (the director) have been building characters together since they were 10 years old. That kind of chemistry can&#8217;t be faked.<br>Craig&#8217;s most recent role was <strong>Cooper in Robert&#8217;s debut feature 4:00am</strong>, where he brought a depth and vulnerability that FELT will twist and play with.</p><blockquote><p>&#127897;&#65039; Also featuring voice talent across fake TV shows, call centres, and late-night ads. The whole world Dougie&#8217;s avoiding is coming to life in surround sound.</p></blockquote><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://greenlit.com/project/felt" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CBmg!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CBmg!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CBmg!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CBmg!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CBmg!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png" width="1110" height="394" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:394,&quot;width&quot;:1110,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:675483,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://greenlit.com/project/felt&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/i/173182324?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CBmg!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CBmg!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CBmg!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CBmg!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4447c0dc-2c87-4564-939f-7d70e19008ed_1110x394.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div><hr></div><h2>Pick Your Perk: Crowdfunding Rewards You&#8217;ll Actually Want</h2><h2>What You Get When You Back FELT</h2><p>There&#8217;s something for everyone &#8212; whether you&#8217;re tossing in a quid or going full puppet-royalty. Every contribution helps bring <em>FELT</em> to life, and every backer gets a little something in return.</p><p><strong>Backers at &#163;5</strong> get a heartfelt <strong>social media thank you</strong> &#8212; and might even bring a tear to the director&#8217;s eye (especially if the moon&#8217;s in the right phase). &#127765;</p><p>At <strong>&#163;10</strong>, you&#8217;ll receive a <strong>private link to the finished film</strong>, so you can enjoy it on your own terms, with your beverage of choice.</p><p>For <strong>&#163;20</strong>, you&#8217;ll unlock a bundle of <strong>behind-the-scenes photos</strong>, videos, a <strong>digital copy of the script</strong>, and that all-important <strong>private screening link</strong>.</p><p><strong>&#163;30</strong> gets your name in the <strong>Special Thanks credits</strong> at the end of the film &#8212; plus all the digital goodies above.</p><p>With <strong>&#163;50</strong>, you&#8217;ll receive a <strong>Digital Fan Pack</strong> including poster artwork by Gordon Skalski, a backer-exclusive wallpaper, and a sneak peek at the score &#8212; on top of all previous perks.</p><p>At <strong>&#163;75</strong>, we&#8217;ll post you a <strong>signed A5 physical poster</strong>, along with a <strong>personalised thank-you print</strong>. It&#8217;s real art, from real artists, for your real walls.</p><p><strong>&#163;100</strong> gets you access to a <strong>live group Q&amp;A Zoom call</strong> with Robert Trott and members of the cast and crew. Ask anything &#8212; filmmaking, felt, failure, festivals, or favourite snacks on set.</p><p><strong>&#163;250</strong> lets you choose a <strong>1-on-1 Zoom workshop</strong> in either script development, podcast production, or cinematography &#8212; a proper creative deep-dive with the team.</p><p>At <strong>&#163;500</strong>, you&#8217;ll be credited as an <strong>Associate Producer</strong> on IMDb and receive a <strong>personal thank-you video</strong> from Robert and Dougie (puppet tears not guaranteed).</p><p>And for the bold-hearted, the <strong>&#163;850 tier</strong> makes you an <strong>Executive Producer</strong>. You&#8217;ll get a <strong>character named after you</strong>, a <strong>Zoom call from the set</strong>, and <strong>every single reward tier included</strong>. Immortalised in felt forever.</p><p><a href="#">&#128279; </a><strong><a href="https://greenlit.com/project/felt">Click here to back FELT now</a></strong> </p><div><hr></div><h2>&#128161; Why Support This?</h2><ul><li><p>It&#8217;s a rare mix of <strong>authentic emotion and surreal visual storytelling</strong></p></li><li><p>It supports <strong>independent UK film</strong> at its most original and DIY</p></li><li><p>You&#8217;ll be directly helping puppeteers, composers, artists, and emerging actors make something truly special</p></li><li><p>You get cool stuff!</p></li></ul><div><hr></div><h2>&#129525; TL;DR</h2><p>&#127909; Short film called <strong>FELT</strong><br>&#127917; Puppet drama with a big heart<br>&#128184; Crowdfunding now with amazing rewards<br>&#9203; <strong>Campaign closing soon &#8212; act fast!</strong></p><p><a href="#">&#127873; </a><strong><a href="https://greenlit.com/project/felt">Back the Project on Crowdfunder</a></strong> </p><p></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://greenlit.com/project/felt&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;More info and Support&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://greenlit.com/project/felt"><span>More info and Support</span></a></p><div><hr></div><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Holly likes&#8230; puppets is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bringing Puppetry to the Public: A New Chapter with SO Festival]]></title><description><![CDATA[Samuel Pearson reflects on his journey so far and what's to come as a Supported Artist for 2025/26]]></description><link>https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/bringing-puppetry-to-the-public-a</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/bringing-puppetry-to-the-public-a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Holly Likes... Puppets]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 12 Jul 2025 16:01:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Let me introduce you to  <strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/samuelcpearson">Samuel Pearson</a></strong> &#8211; a gifted actor and puppeteer based in North East Lincolnshire. A First-Class Drama graduate from the <a href="https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/fpa/">University of Lincoln </a>and founding member of <a href="https://kazbahtheatre.co.uk/">Kazbah Theatre</a>, Samuel has spent the past few years bringing imaginative performances to outdoor festivals and family audiences across the region.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg" width="315" height="472.5" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1620,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:315,&quot;bytes&quot;:119758,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/i/165275094?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uzau!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87888671-ede9-4c2f-8a6b-19286a8a07cf_1080x1620.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">photographer credit: Tim Knight.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Now, he&#8217;s one of just <strong>three artists selected</strong> for SO Festival&#8217;s brand-new <em><strong><a href="https://www.sofestival.org/so-festival-champions-lincolnshire-artists-with-new-outdoor-arts-initiative/#:~:text=SO%20Festival%20has%20launched%20a,suited%20for%20outdoor%20public%20environments.">Outdoor Arts Development Scheme</a></strong> </em> &#8211; a year-long programme supporting Lincolnshire creatives who are developing bold, original work for public outdoor spaces.</p><p>In the piece below, Samuel shares more about the scheme, his own creative journey, and what&#8217;s next as he develops a brand-new marionette-inspired show by the sea&#8230;</p><div><hr></div><p><strong>From Puppets to Public Spaces: My Journey with SO Festival&#8217;s Outdoor Arts Scheme</strong><br><em>By Samuel Pearson<br></em></p><blockquote><p><em>I&#8217;m incredibly proud to be one of the artists supported by the new <strong><a href="https://www.sofestival.org/so-festival-champions-lincolnshire-artists-with-new-outdoor-arts-initiative/#:~:text=SO%20Festival%20has%20launched%20a,suited%20for%20outdoor%20public%20environments.">Outdoor Arts Development Scheme</a></strong> launched by SO Festival.</em></p></blockquote><p>This exciting initiative is designed to support artists living and/or working in Lincolnshire who are developing creative work suited to outdoor public environments. Over the next year, SO Festival will support three selected artists through training, &#8216;go-see&#8217; visits, and idea development, with the aim of championing local voices and connecting creativity with Lincolnshire&#8217;s communities and landscapes.</p><p>I applied to be part of this scheme because I wanted to take the next step in my journey as a performer and puppeteer &#8212; to move into developing my own original outdoor works.<br><br><strong>My Path to Puppetry</strong></p><p>For the past two years, I&#8217;ve been developing my puppetry practice alongside my career as an actor. In 2023&#8211;2024, I worked closely with <em><strong><a href="https://kazbahtheatre.co.uk/">Kazbah Theatre</a></strong>.</em>, performing in shows like <em>Cirque Du Pierre</em>, <em>Salty&#8217;s Holiday</em>, and <em>The Dog Show</em> at festivals and venues across Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg" width="1456" height="1032" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!VfWL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e4fc76e-98b8-4082-a10c-e6f95cd2ab93_1600x1134.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>With support from<strong> <a href="https://createnortheastlincolnshire.co.uk/opportunities/national-funding/">Create North East Lincolnshire&#8217;s Development Fund</a></strong>, I deepened my puppetry skills through hands-on training with brilliant practitioners such as <strong><a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk/">Kathleen Yore</a></strong><a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk/"> (Odd Doll)</a>, <strong><a href="https://www.telltalehearts.co.uk/freelance/">Natasha Holmes</a></strong><a href="https://www.telltalehearts.co.uk/freelance/"> (Tell Tale Hearts)</a>, and <strong><a href="https://www.puppetbox.co.uk/">Sophie Powell</a></strong><a href="https://www.puppetbox.co.uk/"> (Puppet Box)</a>. I also built a library of books, DVDs, and research materials to continue learning independently.</p><div id="youtube2-npWZY6wHNak" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;npWZY6wHNak&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/npWZY6wHNak?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><p>I jumped at the chance to train with <a href="https://theatre-rites.co.uk/about-us/sue-buckmaster/">Sue Buckmaster (Theatre-Rites)</a> at Shoreditch Town Hall, October 2024. I&#8217;ve long admired her &#8216;puppet whispering&#8217; techniques, and it was an amazing opportunity to work alongside other professional puppeteers &#8211; many of whom I&#8217;m still in touch with.<br><br><strong>Looking Ahead with SO Festival</strong></p><p>Being selected as a <strong>SO Festival Supported Artist</strong> means I&#8217;ll now be developing a brand-new outdoor project &#8212; one that blends my passion for puppetry with public performance. I&#8217;m especially interested in exploring <strong>marionette puppetry</strong>, inspired in part by a historical marionette show that once visited Cleethorpes in the 1950s.</p><p>I look forward to learning from other outdoor artists, attending festivals across the UK, and building connections that will shape my future work.</p><p>I&#8217;m truly grateful to SO Festival and <a href="https://magnavitae.org/">Magna Vitae</a> for championing Lincolnshire-based creatives and helping make work like this possible. </p><div><hr></div><p>&#128279; <strong>Find out more about the SO Festival scheme:</strong><br><a href="https://www.sofestival.org/so-festival-champions-lincolnshire-artists-with-new-outdoor-arts-initiative/">SO Festival Champions Lincolnshire Artists with New Outdoor Arts Initiative</a></p><p>&#129525; <strong>Follow my journey and latest work:</strong><br>&#127760; Website: <a href="http://www.samuelpearson.co.uk">www.samuelpearson.co.uk</a><br>&#128248; Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/samuelcpearson">@samuelcpearson</a><br>&#128216; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SamuelCPearson/">Samuel C Pearson</a><br>&#128188; LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelpearson-actor-puppeteer">Samuel Pearson</a><br>&#127757; BlueSky: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/samuelcpearson.bsky.social">@samuelcpearson</a></p><div><hr></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[An Incredible Opportunity — Be Part of The Dominion of Fancy!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ever dreamed of being in the credits of a film, meeting legendary puppeteers, or attending a premiere? Deadline for pledges]]></description><link>https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/an-incredible-opportunity-be-part</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/an-incredible-opportunity-be-part</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Holly Likes... Puppets]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 09:49:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Vcyo!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9910ea4c-da5c-4d36-ad4b-84eb05fd5392_1025x576.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As a child of the 80s, I&#8217;ve always had a special place in my heart for the magic of puppetry. <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVpaKT8YwJ8">Labyrinth</a></em>, <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaH6cOR8NKc">The Dark Crystal</a></em>, and <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDKF4iU8Yts">The Neverending Story</a></em> &#8212; these films made me fall in love with the art of bringing inanimate objects to life. So, when I heard about <em><strong><a href="https://www.dominionoffancy.com/">The Dominion of Fancy</a></strong></em>, I knew I had to support it.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.dominionoffancy.com/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Vcyo!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9910ea4c-da5c-4d36-ad4b-84eb05fd5392_1025x576.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Vcyo!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9910ea4c-da5c-4d36-ad4b-84eb05fd5392_1025x576.png 848w, 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data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9910ea4c-da5c-4d36-ad4b-84eb05fd5392_1025x576.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:576,&quot;width&quot;:1025,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:289394,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.dominionoffancy.com/&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/i/162915366?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9910ea4c-da5c-4d36-ad4b-84eb05fd5392_1025x576.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Vcyo!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9910ea4c-da5c-4d36-ad4b-84eb05fd5392_1025x576.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Vcyo!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9910ea4c-da5c-4d36-ad4b-84eb05fd5392_1025x576.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Vcyo!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9910ea4c-da5c-4d36-ad4b-84eb05fd5392_1025x576.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Vcyo!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9910ea4c-da5c-4d36-ad4b-84eb05fd5392_1025x576.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>This project, led by award-winning filmmaker and puppeteer <strong><a href="https://www.markncrane.com/about">Mark Crane</a></strong>, whose impressive credits include  <em><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVpaKT8YwJ8">Labyrinth</a></strong></em>, <em><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKXnT8FVleY">Clive Barker&#8217;s Nightbreed</a></strong></em>, and <em><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEIJpS26aAw&amp;pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD">Who Framed Roger Rabbit</a></strong></em><strong>, </strong>will bring this rich alternative world to life, blends the best of 80s puppetry with a futuristic dystopian vision. It&#8217;s not just a film, it&#8217;s an artistic statement. The puppets, crafted by legendary industry creatives, will shine in a world where the bare hand is a symbol of dangerous individuality. The story explores complex themes of control, mental health, and personal autonomy, using puppetry in innovative ways.</p><p>If you're a puppeteer, a fan of puppetry, or someone who appreciates ground-breaking artistry, supporting <em><strong><a href="https://www.dominionoffancy.com/">The Dominion of Fancy</a></strong></em> is a chance to help bring back the magic of traditional puppetry while supporting a project that has the power to inspire generations to come.</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.dominionoffancy.com/&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;More info about the cast and creatives&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.dominionoffancy.com/"><span>More info about the cast and creatives</span></a></p><h3><strong>Get Involved &#8212; Support Without a Reward or Seize an Amazing Opportunity</strong></h3><p>This is more than just backing a film. It&#8217;s an opportunity to connect with the creative process, to meet the artists behind it, and to be part of a community of dreamers and puppetry lovers.</p><p>Depending on the reward level, you could be featured in the credits of the film, attend a Zoom meeting with the director <strong>Mark Crane</strong> himself, receive <strong>exclusive behind-the-scenes photos</strong>, and even get your hands on <strong>limited-edition art and memorabilia.</strong> Some rewards even give you access to <strong>exclusive set visits</strong>, where you can meet the puppeteers and creative minds behind the scenes. For those who want to be truly immersed in the experience, some higher-level rewards will even give you a <strong>VIP invitation to the premiere</strong> of <em><strong><a href="https://www.dominionoffancy.com/">The Dominion of Fancy</a></strong></em>, where you&#8217;ll be able to rub elbows with the cast and crew and witness this amazing project come to life on the big screen.</p><p>This is more than just backing a film. It&#8217;s an opportunity to connect with the creative process, to meet the artists behind it, and to be part of a community of dreamers and puppetry lovers.</p><p>For more details about the rewards and to check out all the exciting perks, visit the Kickstarter page and see how you can make your mark on this extraordinary film. Trust me, you won&#8217;t want to miss out!</p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1817969646/the-dominion-of-fancy?ref=nav_search&amp;result=project&amp;term=dominion%20of%20fancy&amp;total_hits=1&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Pledge your support today&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1817969646/the-dominion-of-fancy?ref=nav_search&amp;result=project&amp;term=dominion%20of%20fancy&amp;total_hits=1"><span>Pledge your support today</span></a></p><div><hr></div><p>For more information about the creative team, the thoughts behind the film, and the amazing team already lined up, check out the <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1817969646/the-dominion-of-fancy/description">Kickstarter page</a>.</p><div><hr></div><p><strong>THE DOMINION OF FANCY</strong><br>In a dystopian nightmare ruled by glove-puppet-wielding tyrants, Flueric has 24 hours to prove his sanity or face execution.</p><div><hr></div><div class="digest-post-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;nodeId&quot;:&quot;a1370753-0aef-4b1e-8f42-d9cc3a569f69&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Latest updates...&quot;,&quot;cta&quot;:&quot;Read full story&quot;,&quot;showBylines&quot;:true,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;md&quot;,&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;July 2025 News&quot;,&quot;publishedBylines&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:314993347,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Holly Likes... Puppets&quot;,&quot;bio&quot;:&quot;Holly Likes... Puppets is a space to share creations, highlight amazing artists, and celebrate the magic of puppetry. Join us as we explore this enchanting craft together&quot;,&quot;photo_url&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/49436d0e-bed6-4bbc-a437-7f916797c208_850x850.png&quot;,&quot;is_guest&quot;:false,&quot;bestseller_tier&quot;:null}],&quot;post_date&quot;:&quot;2025-07-09T17:16:13.383Z&quot;,&quot;cover_image&quot;:&quot;https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!2fn5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5bf5e012-01cd-478b-911e-c58298f01fa5_1600x1028.jpeg&quot;,&quot;cover_image_alt&quot;:null,&quot;canonical_url&quot;:&quot;https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/july-2025-news&quot;,&quot;section_name&quot;:null,&quot;video_upload_id&quot;:null,&quot;id&quot;:167729191,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;newsletter&quot;,&quot;reaction_count&quot;:2,&quot;comment_count&quot;:0,&quot;publication_id&quot;:null,&quot;publication_name&quot;:&quot;Holly Likes... Puppets&quot;,&quot;publication_logo_url&quot;:&quot;https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rXv_!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa3d7344a-f309-4a93-aaf8-ceb8f051a4c3_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;youtube_url&quot;:null,&quot;show_links&quot;:null,&quot;feed_url&quot;:null}"></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Imagination Is My Happy Place]]></title><description><![CDATA[An Interview with Kathleen Yore of Odd Doll Theatre - Words by Kathleen Yore | Introduction by Holly Likes Puppets]]></description><link>https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/imagination-is-my-happy-place</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/imagination-is-my-happy-place</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Holly Likes... Puppets]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 03 May 2025 08:00:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F382a6e7f-b6a2-497a-bcc0-4bb7e1f86bcc_1080x1241.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this exclusive interview, <strong><a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk/about">Kathleen Yore</a></strong>, the mastermind behind <em><strong><a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk/">Odd Doll Theatre</a></strong>,</em> takes us on a wild ride through her journey into puppetry, the strange and beautiful worlds she creates, and the creative process that fuels her work. From her early days of self-taught puppetry in a derelict building to her latest, bold works exploring the complexities of the human heart, Kathleen's passion for combining humour, raw emotion, and the surreal is evident in every project.</p><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;cb860704-33ce-4dfb-90b9-5006c008663c&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><p>Discover the secrets behind her unique storytelling style, how she balances dark humour and deep messages, and why she believes puppetry is a form that can stir both the mind and the senses. Learn how her productions like <em><strong><a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk/whiskers-first-winter">Whiskers' First Winter</a></strong></em><a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk/whiskers-first-winter"> </a>and <em><strong><a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk/seaside-terror">Seaside Terror</a></strong></em> defy expectations, mixing charm and terror in unexpected ways. Plus, hear about the powerful influence of collaboration, her approach to building a team of passionate, multi-disciplinary artists, and the personal challenges that have shaped her creative journey.</p><p>Whether you&#8217;re an aspiring puppeteer, a theatre lover, or just curious about the magic behind the scenes, this interview is packed with insights, stories, and inspiration from one of the most innovative voices in the world of puppetry today.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6XO9!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fecf3a743-7649-4050-aa46-689851e50deb_805x802.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div><hr></div><h3>Childhood, Craft &amp; Becoming <em>"The Expert"</em></h3><p><strong>What first led you to puppetry, and how did it become your career?</strong></p><blockquote><p><strong>&#8220;Imagination is my happy place.&#8221;</strong></p></blockquote><p>Kathleen Yore didn&#8217;t grow up surrounded by puppets. In fact, they didn&#8217;t appear in her life&#8212;not even once&#8212;through childhood or formal theatre training.</p><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I grew up reading folk tales, so for me, the world has always been a magical place. Imagination is my happy place.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><p>But everything shifted in her twenties, when a performance by the company <strong><a href="https://wepa.unima.org/fr/faulty-optic/">Faulty Optic</a></strong> sparked something extraordinary.</p><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;This changed everything. I was excited, inspired and blown away!&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><div id="youtube2-Z1CgFooVQhg" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;Z1CgFooVQhg&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Z1CgFooVQhg?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><p>So she bought some craft supplies. Moved into a derelict building. Taught herself how to make puppets&#8212;and then, how to bring them to life.</p><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;They were heavy and nothing made much sense. I did not know anyone else around me working in puppetry, so even though I knew nothing, I became the expert!&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><p>From zero to puppet-maker, on nothing but raw instinct, grit, and curiosity.</p><div><hr></div><h3><em>The Birth of Odd Doll Theatre</em></h3><p><strong><a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk/about">Odd Doll Theatre</a> is known for its bold, visual storytelling and handcrafted aesthetic that blends humour, beauty, and strangeness. Founded in 2012, the company has built a reputation for creating immersive, emotionally resonant puppet shows that speak to audiences of all ages.</strong></p><p><strong>What sparked the creation of <a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk/about">Odd Doll</a>, and what does the name mean to you personally and artistically?</strong></p><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;One day I found a history book about dolls, full of very strange pictures. It made me laugh. I liked the idea of these funny little hand-made humans that we have been playing with since the start of time!&#8221;</em><br><em>&#8220;I also think the two words put together look good, and probably quite accurately describe me as a person!&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><p>Kathleen co-founded Odd Doll with her best friend and long-time collaborator <a href="https://animisme.dk/about-us/">Rebekah Caputo</a>, who&#8217;s now thriving in Denmark&#8217;s puppetry scene.</p><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;She is a powerhouse, so when she left to live abroad it took a lot of time to trust in my own abilities and build up my confidence.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><div><hr></div><h3><em>The Beauty and Strangeness of Life</em></h3><p><strong>Much of your work blends humour with heartbreak, softness with darkness. You&#8217;ve spoken about being fascinated by the beauty and strangeness of life&#8212;how does that outlook shape the stories you choose to tell?</strong></p><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Life pulls and pushes us about on a daily basis. One moment we are crying, the next we are laughing. The ugly and the beautiful are all mixed up.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;How we go down these little paths to explore these complexities fascinates me. How we fly people off to the most unusual corners, expose truths, and give out joy.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I want all my senses and emotions to be awakened when I watch theatre. For me, this is through visual aesthetics, movement expression and sound. I like to write my own stories that are inspired by the old. Rooted in tragedy, but played with a light absurdity.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><div id="youtube2-mdzJ03YTyUM" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;mdzJ03YTyUM&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/mdzJ03YTyUM?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><div><hr></div><h2><em>The Art of Puppetry and Theatre</em></h2><p><strong>Your shows speak through visuals, movement and feeling &#8212; often without a single word. What is it about puppetry, specifically, that captivates you as a storyteller? Why this form?</strong></p><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I like to see stories, not just hear them.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;When a puppet moves, the audience create and feel a story in their head. They are fully immersed, in a carefully chosen, delicately crafted visual world.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Puppetry works are passionate gifts for those that receive them. Perfect and pleasing. Mind blowing and limitless.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote><div id="youtube2-bi9OpsnW8Bs" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;bi9OpsnW8Bs&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/bi9OpsnW8Bs?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><div><hr></div><h3><em>Movement and Emotion</em></h3><p><strong>Your productions often blend movement with strong emotional intent. Can you describe how you perfect this balance in your work?</strong></p><blockquote><p>"My theatrical training really grounded me in physical theatre and clowning, where the focus is all about staying present in a state of wonder. Clowns live in this constant state of wonder, and I think puppets share that same quality. You can break down each moment and ask yourself, &#8216;What am I seeing physically? Does this make sense through movement?&#8217; I also draw a lot from dance&#8212;how it communicates emotion through the body. Language comes much later, after the physical language of the performance has fully translated the story."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>&#8220;When working with puppets, it&#8217;s like they witness something, process it, and then react through subtle shifts in muscle and weight distribution that dictate the movement. It's this intricate and almost scientific process that we, as puppeteers, get totally lost in. There&#8217;s a real joy in geeking out over these details together&#8212;it&#8217;s a thrill, honestly!&#8221;</p></blockquote><div id="youtube2-23y_evWBS-k" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;23y_evWBS-k&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/23y_evWBS-k?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><div><hr></div><h2><em><strong>Choosing Collaborators</strong></em></h2><p><strong>Collaboration plays a pivotal role in your creative process. What qualities do you look for in your collaborators, and how do you ensure that you all push each other to reach new heights?</strong></p><blockquote><p>"For me, collaborators need to do more than just show up&#8212;they need to <em>spark</em> something in me. They should make me laugh, make me think, and, honestly, make me a little bit nervous, too. That&#8217;s how I know we&#8217;re pushing boundaries and stepping outside our comfort zones."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"From the outside, artists can sometimes look a little ridiculous, but trust me, when it comes to our craft, we're dead serious. It&#8217;s a blend of passion and play, but the work always comes first!"</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"I&#8217;m all about building teams that embrace different disciplines and let those influences inform one another. When everyone brings their own expertise to the table, it creates a collaborative energy that feels like we&#8217;re all working toward the same dream, the same world we&#8217;re creating together."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"On a personal note, I gravitate towards artists who are deeply involved in their own creative process, who value the journey as much as the destination. Puppeteers who hop from job to job just aren&#8217;t the right fit for me. My work is so personal&#8212;it needs <em>love</em> in the room. That&#8217;s the energy that makes magic happen."</p></blockquote><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/382a6e7f-b6a2-497a-bcc0-4bb7e1f86bcc_1080x1241.png&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/47c21652-85bf-47df-8cb3-e5b5e1a4d220_1039x1095.png&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f872f7bd-6651-4962-bf4f-6cd1ed9c08fc_1080x1079.png&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5ea31923-a991-43fa-94fa-8d7f3e52fb8c_1019x1080.png&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/680c6645-9867-4758-a382-5d648aeecd49_2877x2095.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/05e1344b-98f5-4c6c-a7b1-641af2b46f26_1200x1600.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/7b810b8b-9790-439e-97a2-554fcef05eb8_1200x1600.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Odd Doll Theatre images&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bca5e5c6-4bf0-46ff-b9af-bb4db4fa1873_1456x1946.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><div><hr></div><h2>About the Productions</h2><p><em><strong>Whiskers&#8217; First Winter</strong><br></em><br><strong>Whiskers&#8217; First Winter" has been praised for its "atmospheric and charmingly visual" experience. What was the creative spark behind this immersive production, and how did you approach bringing its enchanting, wintry world to life for young audiences?</strong></p><blockquote><p>"The development of <em>Whiskers' First Winter</em> took place in Denmark, and the inspiration was deeply rooted in the puppetry traditions there. Danish puppetry has such a distinct, intimate quality, and I wanted to capture that magic in a way that felt both universal and deeply personal. The show isn&#8217;t just about the story of Whiskers&#8212;it&#8217;s about embodying the feeling of winter itself. It&#8217;s about how the simplest moments in winter, like the hush of fresh snow or the quiet joy of a chilly breeze, can fill us with wonder. There's a softness in winter that I wanted to reflect in every corner of this world."</p></blockquote><div id="youtube2-iUlFPj_udX4" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;iUlFPj_udX4&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/iUlFPj_udX4?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><blockquote><p>"The audience sits inside a fluffy, white space, almost like stepping into a snow globe. The projections of animation dance across the space, becoming part of the environment, while the music gently sways with the visuals, creating a seamless, almost meditative experience. It&#8217;s a feeling of being wrapped in a dream, a world where the magic of winter feels alive and tangible."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"What I love most is how it stands in contrast to the typical British style of Christmas shows. In the UK, there's often a lot of hustle and bustle, bright lights, and high energy. <em>Whiskers' First Winter</em> strips all of that away and invites the audience into a slower, more immersive experience. It's a space to breathe, to feel, and to let the winter magic unfold at its own gentle pace."</p></blockquote><div><hr></div><h3><strong>Seaside Terror</strong></h3><div id="youtube2-0DAj-NBY6o0" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;0DAj-NBY6o0&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/0DAj-NBY6o0?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><p><em><strong>Seaside Terror</strong></em><strong> is a show that blends dark humour with a sense of eerie nostalgia. How do you strike the balance between the thrill of horror and the lighter, more playful elements in this production?</strong></p><blockquote><p>"Diving into 1970s British seaside holidays was an absolute blast! There&#8217;s something inherently strange and unsettling about those places&#8212;half tacky, half charming&#8212;but when you dig deeper, you uncover a whole world of bizarre, slightly sinister energy. The goal with <em>Seaside Terror</em> was to take those memories and amplify the oddities to a level that was both terrifying and ridiculously funny."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"I wanted adults to feel like they were slipping into these strange, surreal worlds&#8212;like disappearing into soft toy arcade machines or getting cursed if they dared stick their heads through a painted board. We had donkeys, overworked and on the brink, turning into zombies, a crazed B&amp;B owner who believed the seagulls were her <em>children</em>&#8230; and so much more! It was a celebration of the worst of the worst, but in this absurdly exaggerated, over-the-top way that made it all the more ridiculous."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"The entire thing was set in an ice cream van, and the vibe was very much in line with those old-school &#8216;portmento horrors&#8217;&#8212;you know, where the performer pushes the audience&#8217;s limits and makes them question what they&#8217;ve gotten themselves into. I would honestly be laughing my head off during the whole performance. The absurdity of it was just <em>too</em> much fun."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"The best part? I kept a guestbook full of audience comments, and the reactions were priceless. Some people left, completely bewildered about what they had walked into, but others said it was the best thing they'd ever seen. I <em>loved</em> that show&#8212;it was my absolute playground for dark humour and absurdity."</p></blockquote><div><hr></div><h3><strong>The Worried Walrus</strong></h3><p>In <em>The Worried Walrus</em>, Wendy&#8217;s journey beautifully highlights themes of inner beauty and self-acceptance. What do you hope young audiences take away from this show, and how do you weave humour and meaningful messages into your work?</p><div id="youtube2-UGnMlJnHVNw" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;UGnMlJnHVNw&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/UGnMlJnHVNw?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><blockquote><p>"At the heart of any story, the audience needs to care about the character's journey. That&#8217;s what makes the whole experience resonate. Crafting a story where the character&#8217;s hopes, failures, and triumphs unfold in a way that feels genuine is a delicate process. Wendy the Walrus is such a wonderful character because, despite her large, clumsy appearance, she's incredibly vulnerable&#8212;soft and gentle at her core. She&#8217;s not just a walrus; she&#8217;s a character that children can really relate to. From the start, she sees the audience as her best mates, and that connection is key. Wendy&#8217;s journey is about embracing who you are, quirks and all."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"The puppeteers who bring Wendy to life share in that journey too. They jump around, playing and having fun, feeding off the energy of the kids. There&#8217;s something about the joy of a walrus fart that kids just can&#8217;t resist, and that humor gives us a way to bond. But what&#8217;s beautiful about that is that it sets up the perfect moment when we shift gears and deliver something a bit deeper. I love creating those unexpected moments where the humor paves the way for something more meaningful, something that gives the audience the space to reflect and fill in the gaps themselves."</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"It&#8217;s all about pacing and timing. I want kids to have an unforgettable time, laughing and engaging with Wendy, but also walking away with a little nugget of wisdom&#8212;something they&#8217;ll carry with them, even if it&#8217;s just the reminder that they&#8217;re all worthy of love just as they are."</p></blockquote><div><hr></div><h2>Advice for Aspiring Makers</h2><h3>Her Advice?</h3><blockquote><p>&#8220;Firstly try everything and be aware of your own judgements. What you think you want and know is probably wrong.&#8221;</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>&#8220;Soak up EVERYTHING and ignore ALL the rejections. Your theatre-making journey is a process... The best people have failed hundreds of times. The world really does need your creations XX&#8221;</p></blockquote><div><hr></div><h3>On Challenges</h3><blockquote><p>&#8220;In the past I struggled with the idea that my creativity felt like an all-consuming selfish act... Now as a solo mum to an autistic boy, making art is my identity and my lifeline.&#8221;</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>&#8220;I still battle with funding bids. But the way I tackle them is to never give up and keep throwing more out!&#8221;</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>&#8220;That person with the big smile, so happy to be there and full of questions is always good to have in the room I reckon.&#8221;</p></blockquote><div><hr></div><h3>Recommended Resources</h3><blockquote><p>&#8220;Instagram is a huge inspiration. Makers tend to be really nice people and will often have you over to their workshop for a cuppa and a chat...&#8221;</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>&#8220;Check out legendary workshops at <strong><a href="https://www.littleangeltheatre.com/">Little Angel Theatre</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://nickbarnespuppets.co.uk/">Nick Barnes</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://strangefacemasks.com/product-category/puppets/">Russell Dean</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.judithhope.com/">Judith Hope</a></strong>... Get trained at <strong><a href="https://www.curiouspuppetry.com/">Curious School of Puppetry in London</a></strong>&#8212;or write to your fave companies and say: &#8216;I want to learn from you!&#8217;&#8221;</p></blockquote><div><hr></div><h2>What&#8217;s Next?</h2><blockquote><p>&#8220;I am currently researching and developing two new connecting works about the human heart... They explore how beautiful it feels when our hearts are allowed to explode but how we create our own traps and end up feeling restricted.&#8221;</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>&#8220;It is heavily inspired by graffiti art, large-scale puppetry, Bouffon and club music. It will be a bold visual feast of a rave up&#8230; probably best enjoyed with a beer in hand and a few glow sticks!&#8221;</p></blockquote><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png" width="1024" height="608" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/b7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:&quot;normal&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:608,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TXoC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7cc696a-ff44-411c-a459-8006aa067551_1024x608.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div><hr></div><h2>&#128242; Stay Connected</h2><p>Follow Kathleen&#8217;s work at:<br>&#128073; <strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/odddolltheatre">@OddDollTheatre</a><br>&#128073; <strong>Website:</strong> <a href="https://www.odddoll.co.uk">www.odddoll.co.uk</a></p><div><hr></div><p><strong>Loved this interview?</strong><br>&#128140; <strong>Subscribe to support the blog</strong> and get more in-depth conversations with artists shaping the future of puppetry and performance. Your support makes this possible.<br></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Getting Started in Puppetry: My Story So Far]]></title><description><![CDATA[Exploring the world of puppetry, one misadventure at a time!]]></description><link>https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/getting-started-in-puppetry-my-story</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hollylikespuppets.co.uk/p/getting-started-in-puppetry-my-story</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Holly Likes Puppets]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 27 Dec 2024 14:08:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c0301b22-182e-4ed0-9339-5866b679be14_505x255.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So, you want to get into puppetry, huh? Or maybe you already have and you're just not sure where to go next. Well, welcome to the club! I&#8217;m no expert by any means, but I&#8217;ve had the chance to try out a few things here and there, and I&#8217;m always learning as I go. Here&#8217;s a little peek into what I&#8217;ve been up to, filled with interesting adventures, lessons, and a few... let&#8217;s say &#8220;misadventures.&#8221;</p><p>When I first started exploring puppetry and model-making, I had absolutely <em>no idea</em> where to begin. I mean, you hear about people getting hired for big theatre productions, or making puppets for TV, and you think: <em><strong>&#8220;How do I even get started?!"</strong></em> Honestly, I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up. There&#8217;s no roadmap or easy guide, and at the time, the internet wasn&#8217;t quite the treasure trove of knowledge it is now. But somehow, I managed to stumble across a few courses and opportunities that kept me moving forward.<br></p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/56a0bd1c-dd57-485a-a4e1-d0db6986fda0_483x604.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/46af304a-0b3c-43d4-b347-71a8de78186f_604x402.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1f2e1e35-ce02-4370-bd28-27b38a543cce_720x960.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/3ba35ffd-415a-46f3-8519-1553785c350b_3500x2334.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/402654aa-a915-4372-bc65-053ba273967e_1728x3024.png&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d5cd82c1-e632-4966-a3e2-2dad2630ce9a_2334x3500.png&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8be3c3ed-8d20-4655-983c-b8f397693723_505x255.png&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/3ac78292-540b-4465-910a-6e1c04afe9a5_722x750.png&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/453774e2-814c-4bbb-8c0d-e2f7c8d6d7c0_2400x1600.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Puppets and costumes&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c38a27c2-5149-400e-8727-145e0f940066_1456x1454.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>I kicked off my puppetry adventures with an animatronics course in Yorkshire (yes, you heard that right) after leaving the seaside town of Bournemouth. I had just finished a Fine Art course at Arts University Bournemouth, and I was itching to try something new. So, I hopped in my tiny Fiat Panda &#8211; a car that was about as suited for long-distance motorway travel as a shopping trolley &#8211; and off I went. I was off to study animatronics at a university miles away (cue my terrifying nightmares about being squished between two massive trucks on the M1!). I quickly realised I had <em>bitten off way more than I could chew.</em> I thought (I was sold) I could master everything from coding to sculpting to painting to, well, everything else under the sun. Turns out, each of those skills requires years of practice and dedication. I learned a lot (including that <strong>not every course is what you think it&#8217;ll be</strong>), but the most valuable takeaway from that time? Meeting talented people and working for <strong><a href="https://www.madametussauds.com/">Madame Tussauds!</a></strong></p><p></p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f7b75cfe-c3fe-4cce-8f9c-d37eaa8c9eef_453x604.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/04305b93-e4a9-41e4-9520-905af6594b30_604x453.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2730e3cb-d7ec-4c02-bfc9-1d4af5a929f9_604x453.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f913e64b-946a-4094-b68b-7bc0b5caa275_604x453.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/55aeb055-385f-4563-95ae-396729f21a76_604x453.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/73ee9810-23c6-4c56-bf0b-2d89ad1bc171_600x395.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5c316a45-b473-40f7-9bb5-c71a363b92ed_600x450.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/74f0148d-69c3-44b2-9a74-25e4ba9ba122_600x450.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5126204f-3410-443e-8af9-bb1eae3a9506_72x96.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Make-Up Designory (MUD) LA&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/547ed776-dbe2-4b71-8b8b-b1f4a6c5662c_1456x1454.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p><br>A year and a half later, and mastering the motorways of England, I found myself in Los Angeles, studying special effects makeup at the <em><strong><a href="https://mud.edu/la-campus/">Make-Up Designory</a></strong></em><strong><a href="https://mud.edu/la-campus/"> (MUD) </a></strong>&#8211; another experience that blew my mind. At MUD, we got hands-on with <strong>prosthetics, masks, and all kinds of exciting special effects</strong>. You know, just casually making fake blood and monster masks with people who had worked on some of the biggest blockbusters. Burbank is <em>magic</em>!</p><p>I came back to Bournemouth and found my niche. I ended up studying <strong><a href="https://aub.ac.uk/course/ba-hons-modelmaking">ModelMaking for Design and Media at the Arts University Bournemouth</a> </strong>&#8211; and <em>that</em> course? Perfect. It was <strong>a creative playground that covered everything from architectural model making to 3D computer design</strong>. I&#8217;d highly recommend it for anyone who isn&#8217;t sure exactly what kind of model-making or puppetry they want to specialise in. You get to try a little bit of everything, and it&#8217;s a great introduction to the world of design.</p><p>One of the best parts of my experience was working with <strong><a href="https://rainbowproductions.co.uk/">Rainbow Productions</a></strong> in London. They create walkarounds for theatre, TV, and film. Remember the <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/wellchildlondonmarathon2024">giant nurse who ran the London Marathon</a>? Probably not, but that was one of the projects I worked on! There, I learnt about pattern making, materials, and <em>how to work super fast</em> when deadlines are tight (which is <em>all</em> the time!). I also learnt that getting paid per product instead of per hour means no time for pattern making &#8211; and mistakes are expensive!</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/87963004-0fb5-4328-b9c5-45bae7323eba_627x418.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Carnival of Object By the Sea. Whale by Holly&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/87963004-0fb5-4328-b9c5-45bae7323eba_627x418.jpeg&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg" width="1456" height="818" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:818,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1515813,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x2IN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf2ee876-3534-411f-a989-9141b2c62471_2592x1456.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><br>I got involved with some other really fun projects. One of the most memorable was working with <em><a href="https://artsbythesea.co.uk/">Arts By The Sea Festival</a></em> and <em>Zerelda Sinclair</em>, a collaboration where my puppets actually made it all the way to Canada! Another highlight was performing in a prop at the <em><strong><a href="https://steakhouselive.co.uk/longer-wetter-faster-better/zerelda-sinclair/">Steakhouse Live</a></strong> </em>in London &#8211; what an experience. And let&#8217;s not forget the <em><strong><a href="https://carnivalofobjects.co.uk/">Carnival of Objects</a></strong></em><strong><a href="https://carnivalofobjects.co.uk/"> by Nicola Baylis</a></strong> &#8211; that&#8217;s where I made the most <em>epic</em> whale puppet, which featured on BBC South Today (Local UK news).</p><div id="youtube2-vFRWIa3iFX0" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;vFRWIa3iFX0&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/vFRWIa3iFX0?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><p><em>Trailer for The Sea by Carnival of Objects</em><br><br></p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/48bdb1c0-323d-43aa-9cce-802d0c318605_400x600.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bddffd01-2676-414c-8671-9f10aad6927a_600x401.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9544205f-dc68-4646-8178-0ff57d92ba20_600x400.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Neil Gibbs as The Nose at Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival 2012 Photo: lewis and schofield photography - Nose costume by Holly&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Image 1: \&quot;A dynamic stage performance featuring a person in a large, abstract costume resembling a nose, surrounded by puppeteers manipulating expressive characters. The scene is illuminated with colorful, dramatic lighting.\&quot;  Image 2: \&quot;A performer dressed as a large nose interacts with the audience, holding a puppet of a woman with intricate details, while other puppets and props fill the vibrant stage, creating a surreal and theatrical atmosphere.\&quot;  Image 3: \&quot;Close-up of a performer in a whimsical nose costume, exuding a dramatic expression, flanked by colorful puppets with exaggerated features. The scene is highlighted with vibrant stage lights.\&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8badbac6-dc0d-4ab4-83d9-fcc893ca11e7_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>After a while, I moved to Salisbury where I spent a decade working in the marketing department for an International Arts Festival, Producing Theatre and Arts Venue. During that time, I had the chance to make props and puppets for plays like <em>Aladdin</em> and <em>Cinderella</em>, and even run a puppet workshop for <em>Stage 65 Youth Theatre</em>. But honestly, all these jobs helped me learn more about the behind-the-scenes world of theatre and event production. And boy, did I get an education in what it takes to make an event run smoothly! (Also &#8211; spotlighting a musical when you&#8217;ve never worked with a spotlight before is a <em>nightmare</em>, but hey, I survived!)</p><div id="youtube2-x4QpbkcnNnc" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;x4QpbkcnNnc&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/x4QpbkcnNnc?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><p>Now, here&#8217;s the thing: puppetry is so much more than just <em>making things.</em> It&#8217;s about <em>performing</em>, <em>character</em>, and <em>storytelling</em>. Puppets can be larger than life, full of emotion, and have a voice of their own. It&#8217;s a form of art that has such a rich and epic history &#8211; and yet, in the UK, <strong><a href="https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/craft/marionette-making/">it&#8217;s an endangered art</a></strong>. It&#8217;s a real shame, because the power of puppetry is so immense. The ability to bring inanimate objects to life and tell a story through them, It&#8217;s magical. And that&#8217;s why we need to keep supporting this art form. <strong>Whether it&#8217;s through learning, creating, or simply showing up to a performance &#8211; every little bit counts. We can't afford to let this incredible craft fade away.</strong></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg" width="1456" height="971" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:971,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:8266048,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vTt9!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b3891a0-2e08-4bae-a965-b9a0655e4f7d_3500x2334.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo Credit: The Other Richard, Cinderella at Salisbury Playhouse. Horses made by Holly Likes Puppets</figcaption></figure></div><p>So, here I am, still a hobbyist, but enjoying every step of the way. I&#8217;m having fun, meeting amazing people, and creating some really fun work. I hope this blog can be a place to share resources, workshops, and tips with others who are on this same creative path. If you&#8217;ve got any stories to share or courses that helped you, please reach out. Let&#8217;s keep the conversation going &#8211; who knows where it might lead?</p><div id="youtube2-YBYqUTap1ow" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;YBYqUTap1ow&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/YBYqUTap1ow?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div><div><hr></div><div class="digest-post-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;nodeId&quot;:&quot;e4669d13-446d-485b-b2c6-57883ad139d1&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Back in 2006, I had the privilege of attending a truly remarkable exhibition in Los Angeles that celebrated the art of puppetry and character creation. It was a mesmerising display of craftsmanship, spotlighting the work of legendary creators such as&quot;,&quot;cta&quot;:null,&quot;showBylines&quot;:true,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;md&quot;,&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Exploring the Magic of Puppetry: A Look Back and Ahead&quot;,&quot;publishedBylines&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:49364088,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Holly Likes Puppets&quot;,&quot;bio&quot;:&quot;Holly Likes Puppets is a space to share creations, highlight amazing artists, and celebrate the magic of puppetry. 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Puppets&quot;,&quot;publication_logo_url&quot;:&quot;https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e4ce625-abe5-42c6-a9b8-2d22621a3974_500x500.png&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;youtube_url&quot;:null,&quot;show_links&quot;:null,&quot;feed_url&quot;:null}"></div><div class="digest-post-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;nodeId&quot;:&quot;a1fd1a44-4cc3-4fa6-920f-6495997a9aa1&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Before the world changed in 2020, I had the incredible chance to dive into the magical, mystical world of Thra at The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Exhibition at London&#8217;s BFI Southbank. And let me tell you&#8212;it was like stepping right into the heart of one of my all-time favourite universes.&quot;,&quot;cta&quot;:null,&quot;showBylines&quot;:true,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;md&quot;,&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&#10024; A Trip Into Thra: My Magical Visit to The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Exhibition 2019&quot;,&quot;publishedBylines&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:49364088,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Holly Likes Puppets&quot;,&quot;bio&quot;:&quot;Holly Likes Puppets is a space to share creations, highlight amazing artists, and celebrate the magic of puppetry. Join us as we explore this enchanting craft together&quot;,&quot;photo_url&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/980d7822-73c6-47a9-beae-23ef16c2aac3_500x500.png&quot;,&quot;is_guest&quot;:false,&quot;bestseller_tier&quot;:null}],&quot;post_date&quot;:&quot;2024-12-28T18:47:24.296Z&quot;,&quot;cover_image&quot;:&quot;https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F35160950-4e31-4402-9974-a320f6944d17_920x517.jpeg&quot;,&quot;cover_image_alt&quot;:null,&quot;canonical_url&quot;:&quot;https://hollylikespuppets.substack.com/p/a-trip-into-thra-my-magical-visit&quot;,&quot;section_name&quot;:null,&quot;video_upload_id&quot;:null,&quot;id&quot;:153728072,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;newsletter&quot;,&quot;reaction_count&quot;:0,&quot;comment_count&quot;:0,&quot;publication_id&quot;:null,&quot;publication_name&quot;:&quot;Holly Likes... 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