Meet the Cast - Gabe Finkenstein

Gabe Finkenstein as Hunter

Gabe first came to Elmwood Productions as an art assistant and extra for Steve The Vampire and quickly moved up the ranks as a puppeteer. This is his first major acting role. 

He graduated from Bristol Central High School in 2001, and went on to Paier Collage of Art in 2006.

Gabe has spent many years as one of the only professionals in carousel restoration with his father.

In early 2008 Gabe also taught classes in cartooning at "The Place" in New Haven. He is currently working on his first printed work a children's book scheduled for release at the start of 2009.

In his off hours, Gabe enjoys life as a mild mannered art "kid" from Plainville and hitting things with rubber weapons.

For more on Gabe the artist please visit his website!

Meet the Cast - Mark Elsinger

Mark Elsinger as The Brain

Mark started off with Elmwood Productions as a puppeteer in Mr. Travel, and after a great audition Mark makes his film debut in Josh and Todd: The Story of A Man and His Puppet.

Mark is trying to deny that once dressed up in a lobster costume and terrorized a grocery store.

He said recently; "You have no proof. I was in Mexico with a lady that night. Just that night."

Set Photos

Jon here-
I wanted to show some proof that we really are making a movie! Hahaha... So here it is, some pictures from the sets. I'm only putting up pictures that don't really give any of the story away...
Stay tuned for more!

Eric Stegmaier and ToddJim: "We make movies using this thing?"Jennifer Tanner needs a coffee

Russ Bird has read over 20 Babysitter Club Books Mark Elsinger and Todd grab a beer and check out chicks at the bar

Russ and a lady Jennifer getting ready to scream, I mean act...
Yup, Jim broke the fan, but Josh Tanner fixed it!
Jim and Russ Books And Music in Plainville. I love me some Tom Jones!Amanda Regan and Todd

Ignore the man behind the curtain!

Meet the Cast - Jennifer Tanner

Jennifer Tanner as Stacy

Jenn started in music before acting and was involved in performances such as Grease and Les Miserable. She played the part of Lucy in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" and Gilmer, in "Godspell." Jenn was in selected choir throughout middle and high school and later in college; Gospel Choir, Co-ed Accapella group, and chamber choir. She has acted in a one act play from "All in the Timing." Jenn has performed in a improv comedy show and has recently acted with a comedian troupe.

Jenn has also worked behind the scenes in production and sound for Peter Pan, Hedda Gabbler, and Amadeus.

Jenn says about her work; "I've always enjoyed the process as much as the end result. My greatest 'performance/accomplishment' has been the birth of my daughter Gwenevere, who always finds me funny and loves to hear me sing. "

Meet the Cast - Eric Stegmaier

Eric Stegmaier as Josh

Eric is making his film debut in "Josh and Todd: The Story of A Man And His Puppet"

Co-Director Jon Bristol suggested Eric to play Josh after having been friends with him for several years and sharing a very unique sense of humor with him. Jon says; "Eric is the perfect fit for the lead roll of Josh, he embodies all the twitchiness and pent up fun just begging to explode out. And when it happens he steals the show."

Eric is a professional artist and graduated in 2002 from the Hartford Art School with a BFA in illustration- cum laude, then went on to graduate from Sacred Heart University with a MA Religious Studies with concentration in Biblical Archaeology/Death & Burial Practices in 2007, recieving the Medal of Academic Achievment.
Eric is a classy guy, he has been the Chief Illustrator for the Qumran Archaeological Excavation in 2002, Chief Illustrator- Qumran Archaeological Excavation: West Bank, Israel 2002, and the Archaeological Specialist: Roman Fort at Yotvata- Yotvata, Israel 2004 to present.
He has had many of his archaeological illustrations published, have you?
No. We didn't think so.
Eric has a day job too: He's the Senior Paintings Conservation Assistant at the Yale Center for British Art- Yale University.

And now the best part, Eric recently proposed to his lovely longtime girlfriend, Heather.
Congrats!

Eric and Joe Calvo ham it up inbetween takes

Meet the Cast And Crew - Russ Bird

Russ Bird is the Cinematographer, Editor, and associate producer of Josh And Todd: The Story of A Man and His Puppet.

Russ is a long time Elmwood Productions crew members and one of the lead puppeteers. He began after admitting a life long love for puppets to Jon, and Jon hasn't let him leave since.

He has shot every film Elmwood has produced and a few wedding videos just for bragging rights. Russ began as the man with the camera and lead puppeteer, but has made quite a mark as a writer and actor (as seen in "Betty And Me"). Russ is also an acomplished musician/singer.

"Betty and Me" Director Ricardo Davila called Russ "A genius with a camera"

Other than shooting and editing "Josh and Todd", Russ also has a role in the film as Jimmy, the Record Store Manager

For More on Russ see

Russ' Bio on Elmwood Productions

Meet the Cast and Crew - Jim Williams

Jim Williams is the President of Elmwood Productions.

Jim is the co-writer and co-directer of "Josh and Todd: The Story of A Man And His Puppet"

He joined Elmwood productions in 2003 as a puppeteer and quickly moved his way into writing and directing. Jim graduated with a Bachelor's Of Fine Arts in Acting from Central Connecticut State University in 2008 . He's worn many hats in his career, puppeteer, actor, singer, table dancer, and director.

For more on Jim, and his work with Elmwood Productions please check out his link-Jim's Bio On Elmwood Productions

Jim, and Peter Lucco, while on location

Meet the Cast and Crew - Jon Bristol

Jon Bristol is the founder, CEO, and creative director for Elmwood Productions.

Jon is the co-writer and co-directer of "Josh and Todd: The Story of A Man And His Puppet" and the lead puppeteer and puppet maker for Elmwood Puppets

He began the company with the plans of making one puppet film and then moving on to other things. But once puppetry gets in the blood it never comes out. He has been a life long puppet fan and jumped in head first.

There's a lot about Jon on the internet with the other Elmwood sites, so instead of putting up a full bio of him we're going to hand out some links.

Jon's Bio On Elmwood Productions