Puppetry - Marianne Mettes

For Marianne, puppetry is the creative glue that fuses together all her passion in music, art, film, performance and children's entertainment.

Qualifications:

• Puppetry in Education & Therapy

  Port City Puppet Fest, Wilmington NC, USA, 2010

  In-depth workshop at Port City Puppet Fest on how to use puppetry in education and therapy and being a “teaching artist” in schools. Worked and networked with industry professionals and received valuable insight.

• Intensive Ventriloquism Course

  PuppetFest MidWest, Trenton, MO, USA, 2010

  In-depth workshop on ventriloquism with Randel McGee. PuppetFest Midwest is a conference that allows participants to work closely with some of the leading puppetry artists of North America.

• Puppetry for TV and Web Course

  Gary Friedman Productions, Sydney 2010

  Intensive training in building “muppet-style” puppets, puppetry manipulation, on-camera technique, filming puppets specially for Internet and an education history of the art of puppetry.

• Children's Television Workshop

  Australian Film, TV and Radio School (AFTRS), Melbourne, 2009

  Insight on how to approach funding bodies and broadcasters and speak the language of children's television production. Workshop into script writing, series structure and themes for children's televisions series.

• Bachelor of Fine Art - Visual Art (Intermedia)

  Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2004

  Double major in digital arts and songwriting/production, with a minor in film & TV.

• Certificate in Early Childhood Studies

  Morayfield State Highschool, QLD 2001

  Completed two year part-time course and work experience at Bright Horizons Childcare.

Experience:

• Artist in Residence (puppetry)

  Isabella Plains Early Childhood School, ACT 2011-present

  Teaching, performing and facilitating projects in puppetry to students and teachers at the school. Funded by and supported by the ACT Government and artsACT.

• PuppetOOdle (founder)

  puppetoodle.com - Canberra and Southern Tablelands, ACT/NSW 2011-present

  A puppet and music business based in Canberra and the Southern Tablelands, Australia. PuppetOOdle provides puppet shows, musical entertainment, activities and puppet-making workshops at children's parties, schools, playgroups, childcare centres, library events and festivals. For more info, visit: puppetoodle.com

• On-Camera Puppeteer

  Minneapolis, MN, USA, 2010

  “Transylvania Television” feature film aired on public TV in the Midwest, USA.

• Gallery Assistant

  Paintbox Fine Art, Canberra, ACT 2007-2010

  Oversee general administration of gallery, artworks, exhibitions, openings, and liaising with clients, art lovers and artists.

• Corporate Video Producer

  Freelance, Brisbane and surrounds, QLD 2003-2008

  Producer/director/editor for various productions for schools, non-profit organisations, community and independent groups and the Brisbane City Council.

• Photographer

  Santa's Photo Factory, Canberra, ACT 2006

  Children's photographer at Myer's Santaland.

• Workshop trainer/facilitator

  SpeakOut, Brisbane, 2005-2006

  Facilitated specialised workshops in educational software for children.

• Corporate Video Producer

  Speak Out Ltd., Brisbane, QLD 2005-2006

  Writing, filming, directing, editing, producing & promoting videos for local small businesses.

• Sound Assistant, Boom Operator & Graphic Designer

  Freelance Brisbane, QLD 2006

  Worked on film sets and behind the scenes of various short and feature films, including the independent feature film production “All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane”.

• Children's entertainer

  Gannadoo Parties for Little Groovers Brisbane, 2005-2006

  Performed several characters at children's parties, sang & performed children's songs on ukulele, face-painted, hosted games, created balloon animals, performed magic tricks, etc.

• Visual Art Tutor for children

  Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD 2004

  Worked with children and facilitated workshops in visual arts and crafts.

• Party Co-ordinator

  McDonald's Restaurant, Morayfield, QLD 1999-2002

  Hosted, organised and managed all parties at Morayfield Rd McDonald's. Also developed party structures, games and costuming and trained other staff.