James Chai has worked as part of the Muppet Workshop and Jim Henson's Creature Shop on various Muppet and Henson projects since the early 1990s, often in the foam and mold labs.
In addition to his Henson work, Chai also worked on fiber carbon molds of character heads for the 2007 Kennedy Center revival of Carnival, based on clay sculptures by Muppet Workshop colleague Ed Christie.[1]
Further outside of Henson, Chai worked on special effects makeup and miniature effects for several 1980s horror films directed by Tim Kincaid for producer Charles Band. He also worked on the titles for George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead. Television credits include episodes of Tales of the Darkside (including one with William Hickey) and Monsters.
Muppet/Henson credits
- The Muppet Christmas Carol: Foam lab technician
- Muppet Classic Theater: Puppets
- The Animal Show
- Muppet Treasure Island: Foam lab technician
- Muppets Tonight: Muppet Workshop
- Aliens in the Family: Jim Henson's Creature Shop
- The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street: Jim Henson's Muppet Workshop
- Bear in the Big Blue House[2]
- Muppets from Space: Foam/mold lab supervisor
- The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland: Foam/mold lab supervisor
- Elmo's Alphabet Challenge: Jim Henson's Creature Shop
- Sesame Street: Puppets, Costumes, Props (seasons 45 and 56)
Sources
- ↑ Marks, Peter. "The Man With Quite a Hand in 'Carnival!'" The Washington Post, February 21, 2007.
- ↑ "Daytime Emmy Nominees List 3." Variety, March 11, 1999.