Meet The Cast - Johnnie Sojive

Johnnie Sojive makes a Special Guest Appearance as Himself

in Josh and Todd: The Story of a Man and His Puppet

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Johnnie is a man of many talents, he has a talent for womanizing, a talent for drinking, a talent for poetry, and a talent for saying things that will make you look around the room and say "Huh?"

He's known as the two fisting madman and is also famous for announcing that he's "drinkin' and stinkin!" whenever he is drinking and stinking. And we're not even sure what stinking is.

When co-director Jim Williams found out that Jon wrote a special part in the film for his long time friend, Jim said: "Jon, are you serious? He's a loose cannon. Remember last time we worked with him? No, you don't. Know one does because you disappeared with him for five months on a bender. This makes me nervous man. Very nervous."

Then Jon found out Johnnie had gone missing...

It took a while for us to track him down to get him in the movie, apparently he felt his days hosting "Poetry Corner" were over, and he was in Guam fighting in the War On Sobriety to stop the prohibition (for the record there is no prohibition in Guam) but Jon got him back, gave him some hooch and some "ladies"and he's ready to rock your socks off.

Johnnie with Josh in between shots (not of film, but rum)

For more Johnnie madness click here!

Meet The Cast - And the Rest!

Jon Here...
This time around we won't be posting pictures and bios of the rest of the cast. Just the names and a heartfelt "thank you" for being involved. One thing I did do was steal pictures of people from myspace and things like that... Yes I was looking for funny pics...

So here we go... Alphabetized... The rest of the cast!

Anna Gawel

Anna's is doing make-up for some of the cast, no she doesn't normally wear a tiara! But she should.

Sam Hugh

Chris Lemanski

Mindy Levack

Peter Lucco

Dan Nyren

Kelly Osborne

Erika Pocock

Meghan Sandelli

Kendra Smith

Jaime Williams

Ed from Books and Music in Plainville CT

And thanks to Ron and the staff of Central Cafe, Plainville CT

And make sure to

Come back on January 1, 2009 for a first look at the film!

Meet The Cast - Todd the Monster

Todd the Monster as Todd

Todd is appearing as a character with a very similar name in the film Josh and Todd: The Story of A Man And His Puppet.

After getting his chops co-starring in a failed public access series Todd went on to wait tables and sling coffee for a few years in New York. He moved back to Connecticut and re-connected with his former producer, Jon Bristol, and Jon quickly cast him in this film.

Jon said; "It's the perfect part for him, and I'm sure Todd will be a star after this film hits the streets. He has it all, looks, charm, he can sing and dance, and he's scotch guarded."

Co-Star Eric Stegmaier and Todd have become very close friends since the production began, and Eric had this observation about Todd; "Todd has a tendency to instigate matters that most people try to sweep under the carpet. He is a habitual line crosser, and he does so by badgering and annoying everyone involved. However, once the dust settles the conclusion is always the same… the little bastard is right. And he's a damn fine actor"

In his down time Todd hangs out with his girlfriend, Sherberta, and he hopes to eventually direct the film he's writing, based on the book he wrote about his adventures; "Foam Fantasies Come True: A Life in Puppet Exploitation Films".

Todd and Jon, taking a break from shooting
TOP SECRET INFO:
Todd is performed by Jon Bristol in the film!

Meet The Cast - J.R. Calvo and Josh Tanner

J.R. Calvo as A Man Named Sue

J.R. (AKA Joe) originally came to Elmwood Productions to be the Vampire Hunter in the Steve The Vampire series and he's stuck around since and continued to act with us and write. He appears in Josh and Todd: The Story of A Man and His Puppet as Sue, a neighbor of Josh and the love of Bob's life.

More on Joe can be found at his website

AND...

Josh Tanner as Bob

Josh is a recent recruit into Elmwood productions and makes his debut as both an actor and an assistant puppeteer in Josh and Todd: The Story of A Man and His Puppet. 

Josh and a proud father of one and really likes martinis.

Meet the Cast - Elizabeth Bohmier

Elizabeth Bohmier as Dawn

This is Liz’s first project with Elmwood Productions and she is ravenously excited to be involved.

She has loved acting since she was born and has given her family and friends the privilege of enduring countless of her theatrical endeavors.

Liz has her B.A. from Central Connecticut State University, where she double majored in Theater & Psychology. Liz had the pleasure of pretending to be many different people while at CCSU including: Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, Dr. Jean Loggins in The Mound Builders, Woman in Queenly Spanish Garb in Chamber Music and Mrs. Charlotte Wallace in Beyond Therapy. She also performed in Hair, Godspell, Now!, Cous Cous and Comedy of Errors, for which she got to engage in swordplay with a golf club.

In addition to acting, she dabbles in directing and playwriting. She directed ‘dentity Crisis and was the Assistant Director of Domestica Violencia. She has been involved in several projects which used theater to encourage dialogue about social issues, including the Rule of Thumb Domestic Violence Project, which she produced, directed and facilitated.

She was a finalist for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Award at The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Liz took a 6 year hiatus from acting during which she received a Masters in Social Work from UCONN, became a yoga teacher, took a husband, brought two magnificent children into the world, bought a house, tended her vegetable garden and helped save the world from almost certain destruction by voting for our next president. Now she has returned to her true love: being the center of attention.

See, when ya talk to puppets, you can’t help but attract a few stares…

Liz currently consults for the CT Association for Community Action and teaches yoga at A Healing Trail Massage Therapy Center in Harwinton, CT. She spends all available time playing with her kids Raven & James, writing stories about the end of the world and pondering all of life’s greatest questions, such as “How did life begin?”, “Is there life after death?” and “How exactly does one remove Play-Do from corduroy?”

Meet the Cast - Amanda Regan

Amanda Regan as "Todd's Dream Girl"

Amanda is making her film debut in “Josh And Todd: The Story of A Man And His Puppet”

Amanda attended E.C. Stevens Elementary School (Class of 1995) and graduated with Honors and a deep knowledge of the flavor of paste.
In the film she plays the woman of Todd the Monster’s dreams…

Amanda likes long walks on the beach, sunsets, and deep sea fishing and the soothing sounds of Frank Sinatra. She also spends her free nights knitting and can be often found doing needle point. She says of her role in this film; “Sometime I cry myself to sleep, worrying that my parents may see this someday.” And also says; “But, everyone needs to see this film, its life affirming, and if people see it, I won’t choose to end mine.” So let’s all do the world a favor and see this film, so Amanda has purpose to go on.

Amanda is also a big fan of musicals and hopes to star in one someday.

Gabe Finkinstein sizes up his co-star...

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."

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