Jamie Marks
Jamie Marks journey as a freelance prop maker, puppet builder, and 3D artist spans over a decade. He has always been captivated by the artistry and creativity that goes into bringing puppets to life, which led him to become a puppet builder. This journey started with a desire to create his own Kermit the Frog puppet after watching The Muppets on TV. As Jamie grew older, he started experimenting with different materials and techniques, and through studying the work of puppeteers like Jim Henson and Matthew Corbett he taught himself the art of puppet construction.
In his early twenties, he was lucky enough to receive his first puppet pattern from a US Puppet Builder which started his puppetry journey. After enrolling in an art and design program at a local college, Jamie honed his skills in puppet building, performance, and creature design. He started taking on freelance projects at this time as well, designing and building puppets for local theatre productions and expanding his own repertoire to include props, costumes, and sets. After a difficult experience at university, he felt lost and unsure of his path.
However, his journey turned positive when he met Phil Fletcher, who helped him improve his skills and overcome challenges. In 2021, Jamie had an incident at work which sparked an idea - to use his puppetry skills to create an awareness video about the mistreatment of people on the autism spectrum. Together with others, they created "Puppets with Purpose: Autism Awareness," which has been well-received and has helped spread a message of compassion and understanding. In addition to his work as a prop maker and puppet builder, Jamie has volunteered with Manchester Pride and worked as a youth worker, mentoring children with different learning requirements’
As a Resident Model Maker and Puppeteer at Art with Heart Altrincham, Jamie has been responsible for mentoring and educating the public on the model-making process, and he was commissioned to create the Three Little Pigs puppets for an asthma awareness puppet show for Breathchamps. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to work on various projects, including creating large-scale puppets and structures for Manchester Day Parade, working on short films for Outfox studios, and building puppets for The Little Mermaid production at The Horse and Jockey Theatre.
Jamie is grateful for the opportunities he has had, to share his love for puppetry with others and to bring joy and wonder to audiences of all ages. He looks forward to continuing to push the boundaries of his craft and to creating new and exciting works of art that inspire and delight. Throughout his journey, he has continued to evolve his skills and develop a strong proficiency in 3D modeling and printing, which has opened up new opportunities for him in the world of cosplay, and a unique passion for creating Power Ranger helmets.
_JPG.jpg)
Their journey began when they decided to make their own Lone Wolf Ranger helmet, a character that was not officially part of the franchise. Unfortunately, when a junior apprentice attempted to make a helmet for them, the results were less than satisfactory. Jamie decided to take matters into his own hands and learn how to make the helmets himself. Over the next two years, he honed his skills in 3D printing and worked with cosplayers, actors, and stunt people to create a variety of helmets. He created fan favorites like the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, as well as custom characters designed by their clients.