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David Barclay at Popcon in 2012
David Alan Barclay (b. November 5) is a puppeteer and animatronic supervisor with extensive experience in Muppet and Henson productions. For the Muppets, his most notable contribution was performing Sprocket in multiple international co-productions of Fraggle Rock, in some cases even re-dubbing the barks. He has also been involved with the London Creature Shop from the beginning, working on The Dark Crystal through more recent projects.
Barclay helped to build Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back, and served as Frank Oz's understudy for the character. He also performed Jabba the Hutt for Return of the Jedi. Expanding on his work in animatronics, Barclay has also worked extensively in the use of motion capture and animatronics for CGI characters, as well as actual key frame computer animation.
Barclay's non-Henson credits include Little Shop of Horrors (as part of the Audrey II team), Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (as chief puppeteer for the live props handled by animated characters), and Looney Tunes: Back in Action (puppeteering Bugs Bunny in test green-screen footage).
Muppet/Creature Shop performer
- Fraggle Rock: Sprocket (British and French versions), Uncle Traveling Matt (German and French versions)
- The Dark Crystal: uncredited puppeteer for Aughra and UrSkeks
- Labyrinth: Sir Didymus (marionette version, eyebrows on handpuppet), Firey 1 (assistant); uncredited on Shaft of Hands, Goblins (including a riding goblin), The Worm, and other assistance
- The StoryTeller: Devil ("The Soldier and Death")
- The StoryTeller: Greek Myths: Vulture ("Daedalus and Icarus")
- The Muppet Christmas Carol: Additional Muppets
- The Neverending Story III: Mr. Rockbiter, Unlucky Rabbit
- The Odyssey: Cyclops (facial puppeteer), Polites as Pig (puppeteer)
- Lost in Space: Blawp (puppeteer)
- Alice in Wonderland: Dormouse, Gryphon (face and beak sync), Flamingoes, Hedgehogs, Guinea Pig Jurors, Cheshire Cat body
- The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas: Head Puppeteer (Puppy Dino, Alarm Bird, Mammoth, Vaccuum Cleaner, Other Appliance Creatures)
- Snow Dogs: Demon, Chief Puppeteer
- Studio DC: Almost Live!: Additional Muppet performer
- Where the Wild Things Are: Puppeteer for Terry
- The Muppets: Additional Muppet performer
- Muppets Most Wanted: LA Muppet performer
- Disney Movies Anywhere: Bunny in "Bunnies Go to Muppets Most Wanted Movie Premiere"
- The Muppets Take the Bowl: Additional performer
Crew credits
- The Dark Crystal: Creature fabrication (Aughra and UrSkeks)
- Dreamchild: Mechanical designer (Dormouse and The Mock Turtle)
- Labyrinth: Creature workshop team (Sir Didymus)
- Lost in Space: Blawp (keyframe animator)
- Merlin: Dragon animator
- The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas: CGI Remote Control Bird animator
- Cats & Dogs: Animatronic Effects Supervision
- Snow Dogs: Performance/Build Supervisor
- Stuart Little 2: Animatronics supervisor
- Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic: Visual effects coordinator
- The Ladykillers: Digital puppeteer/keyframe animator