Joe Blanck
Discipline: Puppetry/Creature Designer & Fabricator/Scenic Painter/Event Producer Company: A Blanck Canvas Learn more about Joe
Joe Blanck’s career has spanned from street art to scenic artistry through to creature design, building, and production. Joe began his journey at Scenic Studios, training under master painter Ross Turner and working on backdrops for major ballet and theatre productions. His passion for creature creation was ignited during his six years at Creature Technology Company, where he served as Concept Designer and Head of Painting for productions like "How to Train Your Dragon" and the Academy Award-winning "KING KONG." Ever curious, Joe would hop from department to department in his breaks, learning all about creature making and absorbing all the information he could from his talented coworkers. Joe put this knowledge to good use when he founded his own company, A Blanck Canvas, which has become a hub for world-class artisans and emerging talents. Based in Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne A Blanck Canvas specialises in large-scale illuminated puppets and art installations, delivering impressive works enjoyed by millions globally. The company’s portfolio includes notable installations at events like the Moomba Festival, UAE National Days, White Night Festivals- metropolitan and regional, the World Expo in Dubai 2020, and the Ithra Museum in Saudi Arabia. One of A Blanck Canvas' most celebrated creations is the 10-meter-long "Guardian" puppet, a crystalline lioness-like creature designed by Joe and built and performed by A Blanck Canvas. This puppet has toured Australia and performed at the World Expo in Dubai 2020 for months, captivating audiences with its impressive scale, realistic movements, internal lighting and ambient soundscape. In recent years, A Blanck Canvas has expanded to produce its own events, collaborating with internationally renowned children’s book authors, First Nations artists, and international zoos. With a focus on sustainability, conservation, and inclusion, the company works with clients who share their values. One of A Blanck Canvas’ standout projects, Electric Kingdom, is a walk-through experience featuring giant illuminated and kinetic endangered animals, some of which include First Nations storytelling elements. This includes a 27-metre-long skink installation, a collaboration between Aboriginal artist Elizabeth Close, the Kaurna People and Jack Buckskin. Joe is deeply committed to the company’s values, using art to inspire audiences and shift their perspectives on themselves and the world around them. 
Michel Linet-Frion
Discipline: Creative Director Company: Studio Concepts & Innovations Learn More About Michel
Michel Linet-Frion is a Paris-based leader in the themed entertainment industry, renowned for his innovative contributions and extensive experience spanning over three decades. Michel is recognized as a key player in redefining themed entertainment in Europe. Michel began his career as project architect at Walt Disney Imagineering in Paris in the early 1990s, working on Fantasyland and leading Space Mountain. Michel left Disney for Grévin &Cie. where he oversaw developing concepts and masterplans for the Parc Astérix and newly acquired family entertainment sites. He revitalized the Parc Astérix, envisioned its first hotel and was instrumental in developing numerous attractions that brought the parc and its stories to life. In addition to Parc Astérix, Michel led the reimagining the 120-year-old Grévin Wax Museum in Paris, offering visitors a fresh way to experience French history, culture, and contemporary celebrities. Michel then spent 15 years as director of creation and innovation with the Groupe Pierre et Vacances/ Center Parcs. There he led the team that reinvented the concept of Center Park by revisiting and modernizing every component. He has become a world leader in indoor water parks. His innovative approach enhanced guest experiences by offering a unique blend of outdoor activities, luxurious accommodations, and engaging entertainment options. In 2020, Michel founded Concepts & Innovations, providing consultancy and design services for eco-friendly, themed family leisure developments and resorts. Michel's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards including Thea Awards for Space Mountain - Disneyland Paris, L'Oxygenarium - Parc Astérix, Le Nautibus - Aquarium de St Malo 2001, Center Parcs Bois aux Daims eco-resort 2017. Beyond his professional achievements, Michel was instrumental in growing TEA’s European presence, and expansion into the Middle East market. He is an advocate for growing talent and supports the next generation of themed entertainment professionals. Michel shares his knowledge, inspiring others to pursue excellence. He was awarded the Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award in 2019. Michel Linet-Frion's legacy is one of commitment to creativity, innovation, and to shaping our industry. 
Ida Muldrow
Discipline: Costume Designer/Illustrator Company: Independent Consultant Learn More About Ida
Ida began her journey with Disney in 2012 as a costume designer for Walt Disney World. Today, she expertly crafts costumes for iconic characters, theatrical productions on land and sea, atmospheric entertainment, and daily operations across the Disney parks. Her design talents have been integral to projects such as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, “Tale of the Lion King” at Disneyland Resort, “Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic” on Disney Cruise Line, as well as operational costumes for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney Explorers Lodge at Hong Kong Disneyland. Beyond Disney, Ida boasts an impressive background in costume design for both stage and film. After earning the prestigious NAACP Image Award for Best Costume Design for “Five Heartbeats – Live Theatre” in 1995, she transitioned her focus to designing for the screen. Her film credits include costume design for Leon in “The Temptations,” Whoopi Goldberg in “Call Me Claus,” Martin Lawrence in “Big Momma’s House,” Jean-Claude Van Damme in “Universal Soldier II,” and Samuel L. Jackson in “The Negotiator.” Ida has also designed for renowned performers such as Debbie Allen, Chaka Khan, Wynonna Judd, The Emotions, and Michael Jackson. |
Bettina Buckley
Discipline: Live Entertainment Executive Producer Company: Independent Contractor Learn More About Bettina
“Over the years, I was part of the live performing side of things, then I transitioned to a technician, and then became a senior producer. It’s a perfect example of the career path a company like Disney provides.” With a career spanning over four decades, Bettina Buckley currently serves in the capacity of Vice President of Disney Live Entertainment - North America. But her entertainment career began much earlier and has covered every aspect of live show production. Other than babysitting, Buckley says she has never had a job that wasn’t in the theatre. As her parents were entertainers, her eyes were opened to show business at an early age. However, it would be a family move to Orlando that would pave the way for her to start her career at Walt Disney World. “While I started as a performer, I was always more interested in what was going on backstage,” she said in 2018. Bettina moved into the role of Stage Technician, where she helped launch Illuminations, the EPCOT nighttime spectacular, and countless other live shows. Bettina contributed to several significant theatrical productions for the Walt Disney Company, including four Super Bowl halftime shows and the debut of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway. After a period of time spent running her own company, producing entertainment for clients around the world, Bettina returned to Disney in 2017 to lead the Walt Disney World Live Entertainment team before expanding her scope to all of North America. With Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line all under her purview, Bettina leads one of the largest production teams of live shows, spectacles, and entertainment in the world. Today, Buckley’s entertainment team thrives in delivering cutting edge, culturally relevant live entertainment experiences. Bettina has always been a teacher and mentor, looking to give back to the next generation of talent and truly understands that passion for performing happens at all ages, all economic backgrounds, and in all environments. Colleagues describe Buckley as a strong and resourceful leader who is helping to foster that passion in youth to also train our industry's future talent pool. As an industry leader, Buckley has served has Co-Chair of SATE 2018, and was named on the Blooloop 50 in 2020. If there’s anyone who has earned the mantle of TEA Master from the ground up, it’s Bettina Buckley. 
Haruo Masuda
Discipline: Art Director/Exhibition Planner and Designer Company: Independent Contractor Learn More AbouT Haruo
Haruo Masuda was born in 1948 in Japan. He attended the Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Sculpture between 1968 and 1972. Initially on leaving art school, he worked as an independent artist and designer. In 1980 he joined the Oriental Land Co. (Tokyo Disneyland - TDL) and was sent to the USA. He learned about the work of multiple departments at WED (now Walt Disney Imagineering) California and then Florida, studying all aspects of attraction show production. He returned to Japan in 1982 to head up the attraction installation for OLC. This was the first overseas theme park built by any US company. Haruo lead the maintenance dept at TDL, and then in 1986 he established the Show Quality center at the park. From 1986 -2001 he worked on the master plan and facilities development for TDL, and was involved in the concept development of Tokyo Disney Seas, the second park on the property. In 2001 he left OLC after the opening of Tokyo Disney Seas and became an independent advisor and consultant to theme parks. Between 2005 and 2012 he transitioned to exhibit planning and design, working on 4 major exhibitions about animation, US, Japanese and European: 2006 "Art of Disney" 2007 "Ghibli Artist Kazuo Oga" 2009 "Art of Mary Blair" 2011 "Art of Frederick Since then, he has been giving lectures and seminars at local Universities and writing magazine articles. 
John Polk
Discipline: Water Technologist/Animated Water Features, and Technologies Inventor Company: Technifex Learn More AbouT JoHN
In an industry known for its unique creative and technical disciplines, John Polk stands out. He is “the water guy.” John has built a forty-year career around the creation of beautiful, spectacular and atmospheric water effects. He began his career in the lighting and water feature industry with The Fountain People Inc. He was then recruited by Walt Disney Imagineering where he ultimately worked as the Manager of Special Effects. There, he was responsible for integrating the electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, audio, and lighting systems for engaging guest experiences in one-of-a-kind choreographed show fountains and rides. John gained valuable experience at Aquatic Design and Engineering and The Hettema Group, before joining his current position as Senior Vice President and Executive Producer at Technifex. John is a true renaissance man when it comes to his thorough understanding of water technologies and how to use them to create new and magical guest experiences. Whether for simple interactives, or massive nighttime spectaculars like World of Color, Polk thinks outside the norm and develops features that delight creative clients while meeting stringent operational criteria. While many industry professionals spend their careers working with one or two themed entertainment companies, John’s specialized skills have brought him to virtually every major player: Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland, Chimelon, as well as water parks, museums, and even stadium concerts for Taylor Swift and others. There are precious few in our industry who possess the skills that John has relative to water technologies, as reflected in his many inventions and one-of-a-kind solutions to creative challenges. John has developed numerous water features, nozzles and animated water technologies that are unique to our industry. They are designed specifically to meet the needs of his clients and the stories they are trying to tell. John thoroughly understands the need to be a “team player” in our industry and strives to make all who are invested in the success of a project feel they are a valuable contributor to that success. He is also passionate about educating others in the art of his craft, as well as teaching the notion that those who are successful in our industry do not do it alone. Some TEA Masters create with words, paint, sculpture or fabric. John Polk is a Master who transforms water into art. |
