Most of the VFX and editing team from Seth MacFarlane's Peacock original series TED should have known what they were in for when they signed on for the show. Editor and assistant editor Tom Costantino ACE and Justin Ulrich had already been across the universe with MacFarlane for his cult sci-fi favorite, THE ORVILLE. And VFX and puppeteering vet Blair Clark was the guy behind the bear for the TED feature films, as well as VFX Super for Seth's A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST (2014). Newcomer Allie Mitchell was not only taking her first tour of duty with Seth, but she was also learning VXF and puppeteering on the job, relying on her background in dance and theater. Together, the four brought a feature-level quality to Ted's reintroduction on the small screen.
Set in 1993, in between the opening sequence in the feature film, TED (2012), the series depicts the early life of a sentient teddy bear toy named Ted, as he lives with John Bennett and his family in Framingham, Massachusetts. In addition to John and Ted, the Bennett household includes John's father Matty, his mother Susan, and his cousin, Blaire, who is living with them while attending a college nearby. Ted is soon forced to attend school with John, getting him bullied and in all sorts of trouble.
TOM COSTANTINO ACEEditor Tom Costantino is known for his work on; 48 HOURS (2004-15), SCARRED (2007), CSI: MIAMI (2010-12), AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR (2014-15), 9-1-1 (2018-19) and THE ORVILLE (2017-22).
BLAIR CLARKVFX Supervisor and puppeteer, Blair Clark is known for his work on Seth MacFarlane's feature films, as well as HELLBOY (2004), THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (2008) and CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG (2021).
ALLIE MITCHELLAllie Mitchell is a singer/actor/dancer/silk aerialist/writer/yogi/vegan/brunette/dog-loving native of Austin, TX. Prior to plying her significant performance background in the world of VFX and puppeteering, Allie earned a BFA in Contemporary Musical Theatre and Film.
JUSTIN ULRICHAside from being the "secret VFX weapon" in the cutting room, Justin's assistant editing duties can be seen on HOUSE OF CARDS (2018), NOS4A2: GHOST (2019) and THE ORVILLE (2022).
Editing TedIn our discussion with the VFX and editing team from the series Ted, we talk about:
- Looking Back to the Features
- Stuffies and stunt stuffies
- Chrome balls, laser pointers and the trouble with eyelines
- Being a contortionist on set and in the cutting room
- How Stu the Key Grip saved the day
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