John Criswell

John Criswell is a machinist and the current animatronic supervisor for Jim Henson's Creature Shop, being there since 1991. One of his first major projects was Dinosaurs as a machinist for animatronics and puppets (and he was even interviewed in the behind-the-scenes featurette). Later projects John did include Cats & Dogs, The Country Bears, Turkey Hollow, and The Happytime Murders. In addition to animatronics, Criswell also puppeteered on Where the Wild Things Are and Casa de Mi Padre, where the former was based on the famous book. He even got the chance to work with the Muppets on The Muppets Wizard of Oz and Henson Company on Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. I wonder how this guy became the current animatronic supervisor, probably because of his time studying his predecessors when joining. Before joining the Creature Shop, John Criswell did mechanical and make-up effects for various films such as Nightmare on Elm Street 4, Spaced Invaders, The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, and Critters. He should be proud to have such an important role in the workshop since animatronics have been a key part of their productions. I wonder if he ever puppeteered on the other Creature Shop films for the animatronics have had complicated features that could use assistance. John is still working in the Creature Shop today and will continue to do so for the near future, or until he retires, which I doubt will happen for a while. Criswell is literally the man who supervises the animatronics design and build so everyone will know who to look up to if someone decides to join. Others like Michael Oosterom, Tim Blaney, and Scott Johnson for example, should always have faith within this man. If he ever leaves, the Creature Shop won't be the same, a master animatronics person like him is irreplaceable. John Criswell, you've done a terrific job since joining in 1991, and you still are to this day. Keep doing Creature Shop productions so your name will be up in lights, maybe. Nobody can ever take your place if you retire, whenever that is. Until then, keep being mechanical John. Marvelous animatronics Criswell!

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