Natasha McGhie went on to build this amazing animatronic Peacock, using skills, confidence and knowledge gained in our workshop. 

Natasha McGhie went on to build this amazing animatronic Peacock, using skills, confidence and knowledge gained in our workshop. 

Training and Mentorship

We have had the privilege to host workshops for Natasha McGhie and the team at Mark Tate Productions who both received the Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant from The Arts Council of England and nominated us as their mentors.

Topics covered included electronics, welding, brazing and soldering, automata and mechanical design, 3D printing, CAD, tube bending and ring rolling, layout for metalwork, achieving precision and accuracy, workshop tips and tricks, 3D scanning, puppet making materials and techniques, cable control, and eating biscuits.

We really enjoyed scooping out 25 years of making experience and cramming it into other people’s brains.  If that sounds like your idea of fun get in touch to discuss short or long term training opportunities.

“Thank you so much for last week, we’re still reeling from how much info we absorbed during our time with you.”

Adrian South, Mark Tate Productions

“Rupert was such a kind, generous, and patient thorough mentor. He patiently explained simple electronics over and over till I got it.”

Natasha McGhie, Fit Up Productions
Mark Tate and Adrian South learning how to build an animatronic head at our week long course on mechanical puppetry

Mark Tate and Adrian South learning how to build an animatronic head at our week long course on mechanical puppetry.

Training and Mentorship

We have had the privilege to host workshops for Natasha McGhie and the team at Mark Tate Productions who both received the Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant from The Arts Council of England and nominated us as their mentors.

Topics covered included electronics, welding, brazing and soldering, automata and mechanical design, 3D printing, CAD, tube bending and ring rolling, layout for metalwork, achieving precision and accuracy, workshop tips and tricks, 3D scanning, puppet making materials and techniques, cable control, and eating biscuits.

We really enjoyed scooping out 25 years of making experience and cramming it into other people’s brains.  If that sounds like your idea of fun get in touch to discuss short or long term training opportunities.

“Thank you so much for last week, we’re still reeling from how much info we absorbed during our time with you.”

Adrian South Mark Tate Productions

“Rupert was such a kind, generous, and patient thorough mentor. He patiently explained simple electronics over and over till I got it…

Natasha McGhie, Fit Up Productions

…I never thought when I got my DYCP I’d be making a robot, but inspired by Rupert, who was so generous and talented, I now have no money and a robot peacock in my kitchen!”

Natasha McGhie, Fit Up Productions

Natasha McGhie went on to build this amazing animatronic Peacock, using skills, confidence and knowledge gained in our workshop. 

Natasha McGhie went on to build this amazing animatronic Peacock, using skills, confidence and knowledge gained in our workshop. 

Mark Tate and Adrian South learning how to build an animatronic head at our week long course on mechanical puppetry

Mark Tate and Adrian South learning how to build an animatronic head at our week long course on mechanical puppetry.

3d scanned image manipulated in zbrush

“Having admired The Buttresses work and attention to detail as fellow performers, we knew that they had to be called upon to help us expand our new interest in puppetry. With our DYCP grant money, we were able to explore so many new avenues as we developed our puppetry experiences. No question ever went unanswered from the vast knowledgeable experience we asked of Rupert and Danielle. They were more than happy to adjust their focus to suit our changing needs, as we began focusing in on the direction we wanted to go. It was an invaluable experience, learning from two masters of their craft. Thank you!!”

Adrian South, Mark Tate Productions

“I never thought when I got my DYCP I’d be making a robot, but inspired by Rupert, who was so generous and talented, I now have no money and a robot peacock in my kitchen!”

Natasha McGhie, Fit Up Productions