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

First Day of Filming is complete!!!

On Saturday, we shot our first group of scenes for J&T. These were shot on location at Central Cafe in Plainville, CT. The staff there was awesome, with the lovely Michelle taking care of us, as always. We shot a scene with Josh (Eric Stegmaier) and Brain (Mark Elsinger) having lunch and discussing the origin of Josh's inner puppet, Todd (Performed by Jon Bristol). We also shot a scene with Brain and Todd having a drink discussing Todd's impact on the relationship between Josh and his girlfriend Stacy (Jenn Tanner). We got a lot of great footage, and I hope we are able to review the dailies on it very soon.

We will have still photos from the shoot posted very soon!

Till next time!

Jim

The Cast of Josh & Todd and the first week of rehearsals.

Hey all!

So Last week we wrapped up the first set of rehearsals for Josh & Todd! In order have rehearsals, you would think that we have finalized a cast. You would be correct. We took some pictures of the cast to post on the site, or rather I took said pictures. Needless to say, they came out horribly, and I will therefore not post them, as they will not do the actors justice. I will have some new pics soon, and will post them AS SOON as I take them...promise!

I will however take a minute to actually give you our cast list:

Eric Stegmaier as Josh
Jon Bristol as Todd

Jennifer Tanner as Stacy
Elizabeth Bohmier as Dawn

Mark Elsinger as The Brain
Gabe Finkenstein as Hunter
Josh Tanner as Bob
Joe Calvo as Sue
Russ Bird as Jimmy the Record Store Guy
Amanda Regan as The Blind Date
and
a special appearance by Johnnie Sojive

There are several other cameos and such, including one from yours truely (of course, my ego knows no bounds!), but this is your prinicple cast. I have to say that we put together an excellent cast. I think you will agree when you see the final product.

We are continuing to rehearse and are planning on beginning principle filming on Saturday!

That's it for now. But I assure you, there will be more to come.

Until then,

Jim

Josh and Todd Update 9/23/08

Hello all!

I thought I might give you quick update on the progress of Josh & Todd, a story of a Man and his Puppet. Principle casting is finished, and I expect to be able to post a cast list in the next few days. We are very excited about the cast, and they seem genuinely excited about the project. That's a whole lotta excitement!

Principle shooting locales have been scouted and secured, with only a few specific locations still in the air. Hopefully, we'll be able to pin these down in the next few weeks.

With the exception of one character, all of the Puppets required for this film have been built and costumed. Jon really went above and beyond with some of these pieces and with the puppet of Todd in particular. At almost 5' with his legs attached, his is bigger than some of our friends!

We have secured the rights to music from a few local artists, including Simon Sinister and Greg Wood. Their music is extremely varied and gives us quite a bit to work with.

All in all, things are moving along nicely. I imagine you will be seeing this blog updated quite a bit now that we have preproduction pretty much in can. Principle photography begins within the next few weeks. We'll keep you posted.

Until then,

Jim Williams
Co-Director - Josh & Todd: A Story of a Man and his Puppet.

Labor Day - Support the MDA

This Labor Day weekend join Jerry Lewis when you can over the Sunday nite and Monday time frame and support the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
So we hear cures for many of the forms of Muscular Dystrophy are just around a few more corners, and every little bit helps.

At Elmwood Productions we've been giving you free short films to laugh at since January...
Now it's time to pay up, by making a donation to the MDA...

Thanks,
Jon and the crew