OUR PROJECT (FOR THE LOVE OF PUPPETS)
Long ago, in an ancient forest, in the land of Avalon there lived a Druid who was known far and wide as Lafayette the bard. This bringer of light and wonder was once the apprentice to Emry's. You know Emry's by another name. Emry's, is the ancient name for Merlin the Wise. Lafayette resides in an ancient library known as the library of light. This library was discovered by Emry's as a boy, it is where he learned to be a wizard. While exploring some of the more ancient parts of the library, Lafayette discovered the ability to peer across time and space. He saw our modern times, and that we could use some of the magic and wisdom he and the library have to offer us. Lafayette uses this new magic to bring the audience to the library of light. They finds themselves magically appearing in Lafayettes study, which resides deep within the library. Lafayette then waves his staff, and the audience is magically brought to far away lands, and through time itself. The adventures the audience go on with Lafayette are nothing short of spectacular. They meet mystical figures from times long forgotten, magical creatures, aliens, dragons, phoenixes, ghosts, mermaids, pirates, all who have something to share with the audience.
SOME OF OUR CHARACTERS
LAFAYETTE THE BARD-Ancient Druid. Once trained by Merlin. Host of the show.
TREE SPIRIT-Lives in an ancient tree of wisdom deep within the forests of Avalon.
CHUNKY-A monkey who lives in the forest near the library. Annoys Lafayette almost every episode. Is constantly breaking things, opening magical books, knocking over potions. Adds humor, and a sense of whimsical fun to the story.
VERION-An owl always perched on a beautifully carved wood and stone alter at the center of Lafayettes study. It is the guardian of the Library of light, the library's ancient protector. It never moves, never makes a sound, yet is always watching. All pay homage to it, respect it, Chunky fears it. It fixes mistakes, puts things back to normal when Chunky opens a book and lets a snow storm loose in the library.
ORRITHAR-The oldest and wisest character in our story. He is a dragon, that lives in the catacombs beneath the library of light.
BLURP THE ALIEN-Thinks Lafayettes magic is a type of science. Whenever Lafayette brings the audience to Blurp's space ship to meet him, it is an inconvenience on him. Blurp is always busy, and has no time to entertain guests.
FREDRICK THE YETI-An abominable snowman that resides in the Himalayas. He is a fun loving character, that loves to make jokes. He is always trying to make the audience laugh when Lafayette brings them to his snowy mountain residence.
WHISP THE GHOST- The ghosts in her graveyard love scaring visitors. She dreams of opening her own scare school. However, The other ghosts in the graveyard make fun of her, heckle her, due to her being cute and unable to scare anyone. She tries to scare the audience when they are brought to her graveyard. The commentator is trying to introduce the audience to a real ghost who knows how to scare people, whisp pops up on screen uninvited. Her catch phrase is have a crypttastic night.
Perks
Our friends will receive monthly emails with updates, upcoming projects, news of our studio and content.
Pick your favorite character of ours. You will receive a signed picture from the puppeteer who puppets that character.
Free Chunky Monkey Studios T-shirt.
A personalized video message from our team thanking you for your support.
Also, all previous perk awards.
Major Supporters will have yearly access to our studio sets in both Los Angeles and South Lake Tahoe. If you are ever in the area, let us know, you will always be given behind the scenes access. You can watch filming, or participate in filming if you are brave enough.
We will put a puppet on your arm, and put you on set if you want to have some chaotic fun with us.
Also, all previous perk awards.
We will send you a free professional grade hand and rod puppet made by one of our worldwide puppet makers. These will be made specifically for you. Please allow up to 6-9 weeks for our puppet makers to make and ship these to you. You will receive weekly updates on the progress of your puppet.
A personal thank you at the end of every video we produce.
Also, all previous perk awards.
Added to our website as a sponsor of the studio.
Free Chunky Monkey Studios Patreon membership for a year.
Free 2 day hotel stay at either Los Angeles or South Lake Tahoe. These are where we film most of our content. We will give you a guided tour of the city you join us in. Come visit us and join in the chaos.
Also, all previous perk awards.
Invited to every studio zoom team meeting. You will have a say in ideas being tossed around in these meetings. You will be able to be apart of the inner workings of our studio. If you have a content idea, new character idea, joke to tell, when you talk all eyes will be on you so tell us every crazy idea you have.
You will be added to our team section of our studio as a producer.
Also, all previous perk awards.
Our Team
James William
Co Creator/Artistic Director
James began in the world of Puppeteering volunteering at local hospitals. He fell in the love with seeing the joy Puppets brought to the kids in the pediatric wards. His love for this art form brought him to the Jim Henson Company. James trained under many current and former Jim Henson Puppeteers. His vast knowledge of this art form, and imagination have been vital to the success of the studio.
Andy Clinton
Lead Puppeteer/Character Developer
Andy is a veteran in the world of Puppeteering. He has been building his own business with his Puppet characters for many years. He has been influential in developing the storylines, and tying all of the worlds and characters together.
Kayla Taiviti
Creative Development/Program Director/Artistic Director/Manager
Kayla has been working in the professional world since she was a teen with a focus on customer service and helping people. She is a motivated positive and hard-working person who strives for the best. Kayla holds an associate’s degree in economics from Cañada College and a bachelor’s degree in human communication from California State University Monterey Bay. She helped create the studio, and will use her vast knowledge and experience to ensure the studio runs smoothly.
Brianna Belladonna
Live Event Producer
Breanna Belladonna has been featured on many television shows such as AMC's Freakshow, How I Met Your Mother, Anderson Cooper Live, Auction Hunters, Full Throttle Saloon, Steve Harvey Show, Inked, Good Day LA, Great Day Live, News Nine OKC, 8News Las Vegas. Breanna is an international performer. She has performed in New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, India, Canada, Mexico, Thailand. Located out of Reno Nevada, Breanna brings her decades of performing knowledge and live show expertise to Chunky Monkey Studios.
Who We Are
WHO WE ARE
Our studio began as an idea. We wanted to create a show featuring puppets, that is unlike anything in the world today. For over a year, we have been recruiting puppeteers, puppet builders, social media influencers, writers, comedians, voice actors, bloggers. Anyone with talent who can help bring our ideas and stories to life.
Sadly, the Los Angeles fires have put a stop to production. We lost a storage unit that was housing cinema cameras, green screens, set props, puppets. Two of our lead puppeteers lost their homes in the fire. We have lost a significant sponsor, who is unable to help us financially anymore. It is a rough time for our studio at the moment.
We are looking for supports to help us afford to replace all of the equipment lost in the fires. We need to help our team members financially who lost their homes so they get back to work on our content. We also need funds to rent film sets, props, more talent to help bring all of our stories to life.
We thank every single one of you who decides to help us in this difficult time. We know we are not the only ones struggling after the fires. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of LA, the families, business, lives affected by this horrible tragedy. God bless all of you.
Our friends will receive monthly emails with updates, upcoming projects, news of our studio and content.
Pick your favorite character of ours. You will receive a signed picture from the puppeteer who puppets that character.
Free Chunky Monkey Studios T-shirt.
A personalized video message from our team thanking you for your support.
Also, all previous perk awards.
Major Supporters will have yearly access to our studio sets in both Los Angeles and South Lake Tahoe. If you are ever in the area, let us know, you will always be given behind the scenes access. You can watch filming, or participate in filming if you are brave enough.
We will put a puppet on your arm, and put you on set if you want to have some chaotic fun with us.
Also, all previous perk awards.
We will send you a free professional grade hand and rod puppet made by one of our worldwide puppet makers. These will be made specifically for you. Please allow up to 6-9 weeks for our puppet makers to make and ship these to you. You will receive weekly updates on the progress of your puppet.
A personal thank you at the end of every video we produce.
Also, all previous perk awards.
Added to our website as a sponsor of the studio.
Free Chunky Monkey Studios Patreon membership for a year.
Free 2 day hotel stay at either Los Angeles or South Lake Tahoe. These are where we film most of our content. We will give you a guided tour of the city you join us in. Come visit us and join in the chaos.
Also, all previous perk awards.
Invited to every studio zoom team meeting. You will have a say in ideas being tossed around in these meetings. You will be able to be apart of the inner workings of our studio. If you have a content idea, new character idea, joke to tell, when you talk all eyes will be on you so tell us every crazy idea you have.
You will be added to our team section of our studio as a producer.
Also, all previous perk awards.
