Steve Weinrebe's Mode Studio

Thanks to my friend, and master puppeteer, Lara MacLean, I was able to visit the Johnny & the Sprites set at the Kaufman Astoria Studios in Astoria NY, the other day, to get a first hand view of this wonderful shows’ production, and of course give quite a thrill to my 4 yr. old. The facility at Kaufman Astoria Studios, where portions of many motion pictures have been filmed including The Bourne Ultimatum, to mention a recent one, encompasses a long and uncrowded city block in Queens, NY. We were ushered in to the Johnny & the Sprites set just in time to see an upcoming episode involving a pair of giant’s boots, among other great props. The atmosphere on the set was jubilant, and John Tartaglia is one of the most naturally gifted singers and dancers working today, evident both during the takes and in the between-takes playfulness of the cast and crew (seeing 3 Sprites puppets singing “We are the Champions” was a riot). If you haven’t seen the show (it’s a major hit with pre-schoolers on up), it’s on the Disney channel on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Season Two of Johnny & the Sprites will premier in (approx.) January on the Disney Channel.
Posted by Steve Weinrebe