Latest news with #WilbertAwdry
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Thomas & Friends was the best job of my career' says Suffolk man
A senior sculptor who worked on the Thomas the Tank Engine series - and three related films - said it was "the best job of my career".Sean Hedges-Quinn, who lives in Great Bricett, near Stowmarket, Suffolk, worked on the show Thomas & Friends from 2002 to was in charge of sculpting the faces of the characters and even helped develop several new Hedges-Quinn, who had three young children at the time, said it made him a "cool dad". "I get asked by loads of people all over the world, all the time, about my time on Thomas the Tank Engine," he said."It's such a phenomenon, it's everywhere."I ended up working on Thomas the Tank Engine for six years and three feature films."It was an absolute joy to work on." Wilbert Vere Awdry created the Thomas the Tank Engine character in his 1945 children's book series, meaning it celebrates its 80th anniversary this first television show debuted in the UK in 1984, using real models and stop-motion part of a team, Mr Hedges-Quinn would sculpt the faces of the characters, giving them different facial expressions."I think 16 of the last 17 new faces were designed all by myself, including all the expressions," he continued."I'd get told they wanted sad, happy, joyful, quizzical, and then I would make up an expression to match whatever they needed."But I also did the Fat Controller, landscapes, I did animals, basically anything that needed sculpting on the series was down to me." It could take about a week to create the different faces, depending on how familiar Mr Hedges-Quinn was with the said some facial expressions could be more difficult than others. In 2012, the show turned into an animated cartoon, meaning sculptures were no longer from Thomas the Tank Engine, Mr Hedges-Quinn said he has worked on Star Wars films, Saving Private Ryan, Phantom of the Opera and has also sculpted the statues of Sir Alf Ramsey, Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Beattie, which stand outside Portman Road stadium in Ipswich. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Glasgow Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Thomas & Friends to release unseen pilot episode of TV show
The character of Thomas the Tank Engine originated from the series of British children's books The Railway Series, which was first published back in 1945 by Wilbert Awdry. The books were then used as the basis for the TV series Thomas & Friends, which lasted from 1984 to 2021. Having dug deep into their archives, the unseen footage from 'Down The Mine' - the original 1983 pilot episode - is a celebration of the classic model series. The 40-year-old recording was crafted on 35mm film trims (Image: Mattel) The 40-year-old recording was crafted on 35mm film trims and has been pieced back together before being rebuilt and digitally remastered audibly and visibly. Mike O'Donnell, the series composer between 1984-2003, has also crafted a bespoke musical arrangement to accompany the special episode. Voiceover from musician Ringo Starr will also be included, which will also contain previously unheard narration. The episode will be available to watch on the Thomas & Friends YouTube channel. Roberto Stanichi, executive vice president, Hot Wheels and Global Head of Vehicles & Building Sets at Mattel, said: 'For 80 years, the Thomas & Friends brand has brought joy to generations, sharing timeless stories and valuable life lessons. 'As we celebrate this momentous year, we're unveiling 40-year-old footage and newly uncovered stories from the vault for the first time ever, offering longtime fans and new audiences the chance to reconnect with the beloved adventures of Thomas & Friends in new and nostalgic ways.' Thomas & Friends to launch auction of brand memorabilia The franchise has also partnered with specialist memorabilia auctioneer Propstore to give fans of the show the exclusive opportunity to own original pieces from the brand's history. More details on the auction can be found on the website here, which will be open for bidding from May 12-28. Recommended reading: The collection includes signed items from celebrity friends, original artwork and props from the iconic stop motion scenes that first aired in 1984. Also to be auctioned are one-of-a-kind pieces signed by the iconic British actors to have voiced some of the many characters over the years - including Olivia Coleman, Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Bonneville. Mattel UK will be donating all of the NET proceeds collected from the auctions to the National Autistic Society, the UK's leading charity that provides support, guidance and advice for autistic people and their families.
Powys County Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Thomas & Friends to release unseen pilot episode of TV show
An original, unseen version of the pilot episode of Thomas & Friends is set to be released to mark the 80th anniversary of the property. The character of Thomas the Tank Engine originated from the series of British children's books The Railway Series, which was first published back in 1945 by Wilbert Awdry. The books were then used as the basis for the TV series Thomas & Friends, which lasted from 1984 to 2021. Having dug deep into their archives, the unseen footage from 'Down The Mine' - the original 1983 pilot episode - is a celebration of the classic model series. The 40-year-old recording was crafted on 35mm film trims and has been pieced back together before being rebuilt and digitally remastered audibly and visibly. Mike O'Donnell, the series composer between 1984-2003, has also crafted a bespoke musical arrangement to accompany the special episode. Voiceover from musician Ringo Starr will also be included, which will also contain previously unheard narration. The episode will be available to watch on the Thomas & Friends YouTube channel. Roberto Stanichi, executive vice president, Hot Wheels and Global Head of Vehicles & Building Sets at Mattel, said: 'For 80 years, the Thomas & Friends brand has brought joy to generations, sharing timeless stories and valuable life lessons. 'As we celebrate this momentous year, we're unveiling 40-year-old footage and newly uncovered stories from the vault for the first time ever, offering longtime fans and new audiences the chance to reconnect with the beloved adventures of Thomas & Friends in new and nostalgic ways.' Thomas & Friends to launch auction of brand memorabilia The franchise has also partnered with specialist memorabilia auctioneer Propstore to give fans of the show the exclusive opportunity to own original pieces from the brand's history. More details on the auction can be found on the website here, which will be open for bidding from May 12-28. The collection includes signed items from celebrity friends, original artwork and props from the iconic stop motion scenes that first aired in 1984. Also to be auctioned are one-of-a-kind pieces signed by the iconic British actors to have voiced some of the many characters over the years - including Olivia Coleman, Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Bonneville. Mattel UK will be donating all of the NET proceeds collected from the auctions to the National Autistic Society, the UK's leading charity that provides support, guidance and advice for autistic people and their families.
