Published between 1982 and 1995
Mark Hall is a co-founder of Cosgrove Hall Productions. He has been particularly associated with the puppet animation side of the studio as originator, animator, producer and director. Interview by Ken Clark. On the wall of Mark Hall’s office hang a number of British Academy Awards: Pied Piper, best childrens’ programme 1981. Prix Juenesse 1982. … Read more
The puppet workshop can produce anything from a miniature suit of armour to a two foot high model giant, writes David Jefferson. All around the puppet workshop evidence of fine craftsmanship can be seen. On the workbenches are plaster moulds and rubber animals in various stages of construction. A miniature suit of armour caught my … Read more
Bridgit Smith Mould maker Interview by Ken Clark. KC: How do you make a mould? BS: I have to be very careful when I receive the plasticine models because the surfaces damage very easily. If the character is to be clothed it doesn’t matter so much where the mould lines should fall but I take … Read more
Interview by Ken Clark in the puppet workshop. KC: There is obviously a specialised technique in making these miniature costumes. Which materials do you prefer? NC: I try to use a lot of plain cotton and dye and print it ourselves so that we can keep it all to scale. It is very difficult to … Read more
Interview by Ken Clark. KC: How do you cope with the problem of dust? CW: You see that big machine over there – that’s our brand new dust extractor. We put it over the work we are doing. Our tools, the grinders, sanders and saws etc. are fitted with dust extractors because dust makes breathing … Read more
Jackie Cockle, Director of Wind in the Willows chats with Ken Clark. KC: The Toad Hall set is large, detailed and quite magnificent. I presume you decided on this scale to enable the cameraman and animators to work within it? JC: Yes, it also scales with the puppets which are approximately nine to ten inches … Read more
Francis Vose is a puppet animation director. David Jefferson spoke to him on the set of Creepy Crawlies. Creepy Crawlies is a new series about seven insects that live at the bottom of the garden. They find things we would regard as rubbish, but they see it differently. For example in one episode a conker … Read more
When a puppet starts wearing out the animators tell the workshop who make anther one. They can take off the snail’s shell and put it on a new body. A lot of thought is given to the way the puppets move. The shape of the snail dictates the way it moves whereas the others are … Read more
John Hambley is Chief Executive at Cosgrove Hall and a senior member of Thames Television’s programme management. As former Controller of Children’s Programmes he was responsible for creating and producing a wide range of children’s programmes for ITV. He co-founded Cosgrove Hall Productions as a subsidiary of Thames Television. He is interviewed by Ken Clark. … Read more