MATT FICNER PRODUCTIONS INC.
Thank you for taking an interest in my work and various skills. This document contains information about my career in multi media performance and design. Having worked in the media industry for over 20 years, I have established myself with my professional talents in the fields of puppetry ,television production and film/ TV production design.
MEDIA HISTORY
FALLING SKIES (the series) FX technician/ Prop builder (September 2010)
-designed, built and provided special FX for new TV series produced by Steven Spielberg
THE THING (2011 release) FX studio builder / Puppeteer (August 2010)
-built special FX components for feature film and was creature puppeteer
WINGIN’ IT (Family Channel) Season 1 & 2 Designer, lead puppeteer ( May 2009 – July 2010)
-designed and performed “Dennis” puppet character
THE CREEPY PUPPET PROJECT Creator, writer, director, chief puppeteer (June 2007- Present)
-Self promotional short films created by M.F.P.
ROBINSON PARK STUDIOS (Prof. Zoomen pilot episode) Puppeteer, Project advisor (March 2008)
-Lead puppeteer and project advisor for a new television series pilot.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (feature movie) Puppeteer (2006)
-puppeteer for toy characters in this family feature movie.
WILBUR Productions Puppeteer (Feb – April 2006)
-Lead puppeteer for Wilbur television series
PLANET BIZZARO (Tigon Media Pte. Ltd / Studio Bizzaro) Malaysia Lead Designer / Puppet Builder/ Puppeteer ( June – Dec 2005 )
-Designed, built and performed over 20 original puppet characters for a Singapore / Malaysia television Sci-Fi series.
SMITH & QUICK INC. Founder / Lead Performer (June 2002 – present)
-Starring member of magical theatrical stage show that has been presented at theatres, casinos and corporate events across
North America.
SAUNDERS FARM & THEME PARK Principal Ghoul Master / Performer (April 2002-present)
-Designed and created dozens of “larger than life” zombies, ghouls and monsters for “Saunders Farm” family haunted theme
park. Perform as principal character throughout the facility.
IMAGINATION PRODUCTIONS Denmark Primary Starring Puppet Character (May 2000 – present)
-Performed starring puppet character for over 60 commercials for the Danish Railway “DSB”. This award winning advertising
campaign airs in Europe.
BBC Worldwide / ACE LIGHTNING “Captain L Productions” Creator/ Designer / Voice Performer (Jan – June 2001)
-Lead designer and creator of superhero characters for the breakthrough television series “Ace Lightning”. Also performed
principal character voices for the computer animation.
FOUR ME PRODUCTIONS / CINAR / PBS Primary Starring Puppet Character (March – April 2000)
-Performed lead puppet character in “Caillou” television series for PBS broadcasters.
GPC COMMUNICATIONS / BELL NEXXIA Mascot Designer/ Builder / Performer (Oct 1999 – Feb 2000)
-Designed, built and performed new mascot character for international internet provider.
THE CANADA TREE Producer / Co-Director (Sept. 1999) Mascot Designer / Performer (March – Oct. 1999)
-Produced and co-directed an information video for the “Canada Tree” traveling art project.
-Created a puppet mascot for a touring national art project known as the “Canada Tree” and performed this character for
audiences during the ’99 cross-Canada tour
BBC WORLDWIDE AMERICAS/ CATALYST ENTERTAINMENT / NODDY PRODUCTIONS Puppeteer / Head Puppet Technician ( Jan 1999 – May 1999)
-Designed, Built, Performed and Maintained puppet characters for “Noddy” television series (PBS, BBC, CBC) season 2
SALER STREET FILMS Mask Mechanics / Trainer (November 1998 – Jan. 1999 )
-In collaboration with Noreen Young Productions, built mechanical puppet masks for television series “Pirates”
JIM HENSON PRODUCTIONS / WARNER BROS. Puppeteer (June –Sept 1998 )
-Performed principal animatronic puppet characters for “Jim Henson’s Brats of the Lost Nebula”
BBC WORLDWIDE AMERICAS/ CATALYST ENTERTAINMENT / NODDY PRODUCTIONS Principal Puppeteer / Head Puppet Technician ( Jan 1997 – March 1998)
-Designed, Built, Performed and Maintained puppet characters for “Noddy” televison series (PBS, BBC, CBC) season 1
PORTFOLIO PRODUCTIONS Puppeteer (November 1996)
-Performed a variety of characters for “Groundling Marsh” TV series
CHERRYWINKLE PRODUCTIONS Principal Puppet Character (August 1996)
-performed lead puppet character for “Hello Mrs. Cherrywinkle” Family Channel series.
Voice Characterization (November 1996)
-Provided voices for short animation blocks for “Cherrywinkle” series.
NOREEN YOUNG PRODUCTIONS Under the Umbrella Tree Puppet Wrangler ( 1990 / 91 / 92 / 93 TV Season)
-Responsible for puppet co-ordination , costumes and puppet maintenance
Studio Assistant (Jan- March 1991)
-Involved in variety of puppet related projects
Theatre Puppeteer (March-April 1991, Nov 1991, April 1994)
-Performed puppet characters for touring theatre production of “Under the Umbrella Tree”
WACKY PALMS PRODUCTIONS Puppet Designer / Builder ( Sept 1994- Jan 1995 )
-designed and built characters for Disney pilot series “Wacky Palms”
Set Designer / Builder (Dec 1994)
Lead Puppeteer (Jan 1995)
-performed principal characters for series pilot episode
Prop Master ( Oct 1994 – Jan 1995 )
-Built and maintained props for series pilot
PUPPET PARADE COMMITTEE Museum Organizer / Installation and Conversationalist ( Jan – Oct 1996)
-Committee member responsible for exhibit installation, maintenance and operation.
MID-CANADA TELEVISION Puppet Designer / Builder (June – July 1991)
-Designed and built alien puppet characters for Sci-Fi television series “Cowboy Who”
Puppeteer (Oct. 1993)
-Performed principal and support characters for “Cowboy Who” television series.
CBC TELEVISION OTTAWA Set Designer (April 1994)
-Designed main set for “Music Works” Showcase Program
MACLEAN HUNTER / ROGERS TELEVISION Community Producer (Dec 1992 – May 1993)
Director, Editor, Script Supervisor
-produced several mini series, local programming and live television productions.
DRAGON TALES PRODUCTIONS Puppet Builder (1995)
-Rebuilt and redesigned puppet characters for “Dudley the Dragon” TV series
MISCELLANEOUS MEDIA
-TELEVISION HOST (provided puppet character hosts for numerous Ottawa CTV programs
-WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR (host variety of workshops for corporate and private clients)
-FREELANCE COMMERCIAL ARTIST (for mainstream and private clients)
-MASCOT DESIGN and CONSTRUCTION
-SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKE UP
-DESIGN CONSULTATION
AWARDS
1987,88-Ontario Association of Professional Engineers
1998-The Institute of Professional Engineers
1988- The Engineer’s Wives Association
1990, 1991 – Golden Demon Award
1992- Ottawa Teacher’s Association
1994 – Maclean Hunter Ottawa Excellence Award
1994 – Ontario Cable Producer’s Award
1994 – Canadian Cable Television Producers Award
1995 – Rogers Community Producer of the Year
1998 – Creative Engineers Artistic Applications
2000 2001- (Most popular commercial campaign ) 9 consecutive months , Denmark
2003- Artist Innovation Award , Ottawa
2006-Ottawa’s top 40 under 40 entrepreneurs Award