Life and Work with Maria Andreotti

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Andreotti.

Maria, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in Argentina and moved to Hollywood at the age of two. I was always more interested in art & films than literally anything else, and I grew up to study animation in high school & college. Through experimenting with different projects, I decided I wanted to focus on stop-motion animation and handmade films. From 18-21, I was taking any kind of puppetry-related workshop I could find while supporting myself as a portrait/headshot photographer and part-time comic book store clerk. Upon graduating, my path led me to Portland, OR to work for LAIKA studios on stop-motion animated films The Boxtrolls and Kubo and the Two Strings. I worked as the Puppet Department Assistant and learned so many amazing things, had so many great experiences and met so many people I still talk to every day. After the second film, I decided to move back to Los Angeles and try my hand at some other studios.

When I got back to Los Angeles, I got a job as a PA on the Peabody and Sherman show at Dreamworks TV which was just the most fun ever. Coincidentally at the time, someone I had worked with at LAIKA was now a producer at DWTV and needed a puppet fabricator for their show The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants. I said yes and worked on it for two years as the puppet fabricator for the whole show. Throughout my time on Captain Underpants, I worked on other freelance projects as well as a season of Bob’s Burgers, the funniest cartoon on television. I left in February this year to once again focus on freelance puppet projects, as well as teaching. I am teaching stop motion animation at the LA County High School for the Arts & Cal State Northridge (both my own schools) and I love seeing what the students come up with in class. Aside from teaching and commercial freelance, I am currently working on a personal pitch for a puppet show that I hope to shop around this summer. Fingers crossed!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has definitely been bumpy. When I left LA, it took an entire year of working at random shops in Portland, a call center, volunteering at a random children’s puppet theater & three interviews at LAIKA until I got my job. Learning to actually do the job once I got it was a whole other story! After three decades on this planet, I can say the best advice I remind myself constantly is not to compare my own life or path to anyone else’s. So many people become successful at different stages of their lives and it’s important to remember no two people are the same. Don’t forget Alan Rickman didn’t take an acting class till he was 30.

Please tell us about your work.
I am a puppet fabricator, puppeteer, and animator. I specialize in making all kinds of puppets, ranging from sock puppets to rod puppets to stop motion puppets. I have even made a few giant wearable costumes in the last couple of years. I am probably best known for my puppet work on The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants tv show on Netflix, and for wearing my HR Pufnstuf cosplay everywhere I can in Los Angeles!

I am proud of the fact that I have been able to produce so many different types of pieces over the years. I have been able to maintain a good quality level, keep the clients’ visions loud & clear while adding a tiny piece of myself. I think the variety, as well as personal touch, sets my work apart. I’m a huge fan of everything I’m making so a lot of love goes into these little puppets.

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I always go to conventions that are relevant to my industry, for example, San Diego Comic Con, Wonder Con, Monsterpalooza, CTN Expo, etc. Also, I’m never afraid to professionally reach out to anyone on Instagram or other public internet platforms if I am a fan of their work. I have met some great puppeteers I really admire. Did you see a film that had an incredible set design that moved you? Watch the credits, look that person up. Write to them. Where did they study? What did they study? Do they have any advice?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mariathemuppet.portfoliobox.net/
• Email: mjandreotti88@gmail.com
• Instagram: mariathemuppet

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