Special effects creator Steve Allen, who is currently visiting the island giving modelling classes to all western-based primary and secondary schools, is to give a special one-off talk on his fascinating career for adults in Peel’s Sailors’ Shelter next Thursday.
Steve has been brought over from his Kent-base by the Peel Carnival organising committee, with funding by the Arts Council, and is proving a big hit with the youngsters he has so far encountered in modelling sessions in Kirk Michael, Marown and St John’s.
He’s been making sea creatures such as jellyfish and herrings, all of which will be making appearances in this year’s carnival on August 7. He will also be holding sessions on to Peel Clothworkers and the Bunschooil in St John’s next week.
A two-day session is also scheduled for students at Peel’s QEII High School where a more ambitious basking shark model is to be undertaken. His expertise is promising to bring even greater colour and variety to Peel’s big day.
For the purposes of his visit, the 49-year- old has been variously described as a puppeteer and model-maker.
There is, in fact, much more to his 30-year career, having worked on some of the most famous characters on TV and film.
He worked for Muppets and Labyrinth creator Jim Henderson, EMI studios, and on animated films for the Disney Corporation, 20th Century Fox and Pinewood Studios.
His varied assignments include designing soft toys for the commercial market, recreating characters from Fraggle Rock, Thunderbirds, Doctor Who, Wallace and Gromit and Star Wars.
He has much inside-track knowledge and many anecdotes.
Did you know, for example, that many of those fearsome-looking meteorites being dodged by the Millennium Falcon in that glorious Star Wars scene were, in fact, spuds?
His talk will also reveal many secrets about the making of animated films, which will send the audience home wanting to dig out their DVDs and revisit the films to see if they can spot the tricks and subtleties that he has related.
Steve, whose brother and sister-in- law live in Peel, will talk about the ups and down of his career, and is likely to produce a cliff-hanger half-way through his hour-long talk.
He will then break for refreshments, keeping his audience in suspense.
The talk in the Shelter, which is alongside Weatherglass Corner, is for adults, although accompanied children aged 14 and over can attend.
It is likely to prove a must-see for film buffs, artists, stage set designers and craft-makers – in fact anyone interested in film and the arts.
The event takes place on Thursday (July 21) starting at 8pm.
Admission is free, and as it’s not a big venue, early arrival is recommended.