Mak Wilson (born 3 September 1957) is an English retired puppeteer, writer, animation director, and motion capture artist. He is also known as Mac Wilson and Malcolm Wilson.
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Early life and career
Wilson was born in Consett, England, but grew up in nearby Stanley, County Durham. He began his professional career in 1973 at the age of 15, but his screen physical performer and puppeteering work started in 1981 with The Dark Crystal. Wilson had previously toured on stage where he often did mime, mask and puppeteering.
From 1990 he became head puppeteer and creative advisor for the London Jim Henson's Creature Shop, but when it closed down in 2005 Mak Wilson began freelancing and worked extensively with the BBC.
He was forced to retire in 2014 after his longstanding M.E./C.F.S. became too severe for him to continue. He now spends his time writing on the subjects of King Arthur and the ‘Dark Ages’ in general.
Filmography
Film
Muppets Most Wanted - UK principle puppeteer
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Vogon Interpreter (voice)
Mee-Shee: The Water Giant - CGI animation director and CGI realtime puppeteer
Buddy - animatronic face puppeteer of Buddy
Doctor Dolittle - animatronic puppetry advisor
Lost In Space - CGI animation director and CGI realtime puppeteer
Muppet Treasure Island - CGI realtime puppeteer and singer
The Adventures of Pinocchio - Lead animatronic puppeteer
Loch Ness - Animatronic and CGI realtime puppeteer
Babe - Lead animatronic puppeteer and coordinator
Who Framed Roger Rabbit - FX puppeteer
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze - Lead animatronic puppeteer of Michelangelo, coordinator and the Promoter's Aide
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 film) - Lead animatronic puppeteer of Michelangelo
The Bear - Lead animatronic puppeteer and coordinator
Little Shop of Horrors - Audrey II lipsync puppeteer and Little Audrey II's vocal effects
Santa Claus: The Movie - Lead animatronic puppeteer of Donna
Television
The Furchester Hotel - Harvey P. Dull, Guest characters and Puppeteer Captain - CBeebies/Sesame Street production
Mr. Bloom's Nursery - Colin the runner bean and Tom the potato
CBBC presentation guests - puppeteer of a mad rabbit, a wacky octopus and reindeer
ABC Bear - The Bear and puppet choreographer - Austria
Mongrels - Guest characters
Doctor Who - Movement choreographer for Helen McCrory
X-Factor with The Muppets - puppet choreographer and puppeteer
2007 Brit Awards - Opening of the event with the Scissor Sisters - puppet choreographer
2005 Brit Awards - Opening of the event with the Scissor Sisters - puppet choreographer
Fur TV - puppeteer of Lapeno
Jack and the Beanstalk-the True Story - animatronic puppeteer and CGI animation director
Farscape - animatronic puppetry teacher
Saturday Night Takeaway - puppeteer assistant to Kermit the Frog
Fungus the Bogeyman - Fungus (through MoCap)
The Hoobs - consultant, OB director, puppet choreographer, puppeteer
Mopatop's Shop - Mopatop (1999-2001)
Puppeteer
Buddy - Animatronic puppeteer and Puppetry Coordinator
Construction Site - Lead Puppeteer
Dr. Dolittle - Animatronic puppetry teacher
Fur TV - Puppeteer
Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story - Lead Puppeteer
Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories - Puppet Coordinator
Labyrinth - Goblin Performer, Puppeteer
Little Shop of Horrors - Principal Puppeteer
Loch Ness - Lead Puppeteer
Lost in Space - "Blawp" animation supervisor
Mee-Shee: The Water Giant - Animation Director, CGI Puppeteer
Mongrels - Puppeteer
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze - Face Operation of Michelangelo
The Adventures of Pinocchio - Lead Puppeteer
The Bear - Lead Puppeteer
The Dark Crystal - Part-Time Puppeteer on the Mystics
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Puppeteer
The Hoobs - Creative Consultant
