Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge

Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge is an exciting reality-competition show that aired on Syfy in 2014. The series, which is an unexpected twist on the typical reality show theme, puts a creative spin into the world of movies, specifically on creature design and fabrication. It's a look behind the scenes into the intriguing world of animatronics, puppetry, and character creation, the same world that brought magic to dozens of iconic films and TV shows.

This captivating series unveils the artistry, craft and spellbinding talent that goes into creature creation. Its platform is particularly special, being set in the creature shop of Jim Henson, a legendary pioneer in puppetry and animatronics. These contestants are not fighting to sing the best song or cook the best meal. They're competing to create the most believable, technically stunning creature that can perform in real-world situations designed to emulate film sets and scenarios. Ten aspiring creature creators take part in the series, each hoping to win the grand prize—a juicy contract to work in the world-famous Jim Henson's Creature Shop.

The very essence of the show requires a diverse range of skills from the contestants; sculpting, mechanical design, animation, painting, and costuming. They need to balance aesthetic appeal with functionality, creating creatures that not only look fantastic but move convincingly. Contestants are pushed to their creative limits as they are asked to create everything from whimsical, lovable creatures to menacing monsters.

Each episode features a different challenge requiring the designers to work individually or in teams to bring their imaginative creations to life. The challenges are designed to test their abilities in different areas, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and meeting deadlines, replicating the real-life pressures of working in a professional creature shop.

Just as important as the fabrication process, however, is the creature’s final performance, as featured in a screen test where their creations come to life. It's not just about creating a visually impressive creature, the contestants also have to ensure that their creations look realistic on camera, with fluid movements and expressive features.

The contestants themselves range in background, from professional special effects artists to amateurs who have been honing their craft in the garage. Each contestant brings a unique perspective to the competition, reflecting their diverse influences and personal style.

Presiding over the show are judges who happen to be some of the top professionals in the creature design field, well-equipped to critique the work presented. Brian Henson, Chairman of The Jim Henson Company, and a veteran innovator in the field of puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation, leads the panel. The other esteemed judges are creature fabricator Beth Hathaway and creature designer Kirk Thatcher. Their critique and evaluation centered around three main aspects - design, mechanization, and performance.

Adding charm to the show, Gigi Edgley, notably from the science fiction TV series Farscape where she played the role of a humanoid alien created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, serves as the host. Edgley's own experiences working with puppet creatures lend an insider perspective to her role, and her warm, enthusiastic personality complements the overall tone of the series well.

As a series, Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge offers an enchanting peek into the often invisible art of creature design and the amount of detail, creativity, and work it demands. The series is dedicated to keeping Henson's legacy alive by testing a new generation of innovators who will continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in imagination and creativity.

Simultaneously, it also manages to entertain and educate viewers about the behind-the-scenes mechanisms of movie magic. For any fan fascinated by the magic of movies, character creation, fables and fantasy, or anyone who grew up admiring Jim Henson's creative genius, this show is a must-watch!