CREATURE SUIT ACTOR · DIRECTOR · PRACTICAL EFFECTS
Matthew Mason
Physical storytelling for screen and live productions.
I bring realistic animals to life through movement, timing, and close collaboration with the people behind the camera. My work spans creature suit acting, puppetry, directing, and practical effects consultation.
The brief might call for natural behavior or a playful moment. I shape the work to fit the scene.
Based in Toluca Lake, California, with a UK hub in Watford. Available worldwide.
Selected work
A few projects that show the range of my on-camera and production work.
Nike Air Max DN | Erling Haaland
Bear actor · Commercial campaign · 2024
I was the bear actor opposite Erling Haaland in the campaign film. With only the two of us on camera, the scene relied on physical timing and the bear’s response to his coaching.
Watch the campaign film · Rosco Production · Creative archive
Lowes Foods | Brown Bear
Principal bear actor · Commercial campaign · 2024
I brought the bear to life on set, working with a live voice actor to shape its timing and reactions. The finished campaign received a Platinum Viddy Award.
Production: Cardboard Spaceship · Agency: Walrus · Director: Joe Pernice · Cinematography: David Kruta
Dare Foods | Bear Paws and UNO
Director and client lead · Commercial campaign
I directed the commercial and led the client relationship from the initial brief through production and post. The story follows a proud dad celebrating the furniture he has built after winning a home improvement competition.
My remit included crew hiring and management, location scouting, set decoration, contracts, and shoot planning. Fernando Escovar supported the production as assistant director. Our relationship with Dare Foods has continued, including a Bell and TSN spot in Ontario, Canada.
Exit, Pursued by a Bear
Bear actor and additional crew · Musical comedy short · 2022
I brought the Person Control Bear to life and coordinated the other bear actor for director Jessica Redish’s musical comedy short.
The film was one of six Grand Prize winners in the 2022 Stage 32 Short Film Contest and appeared in the 2023 HollyShorts and Raindance festival programs.
About Matthew
I have more than two decades of experience in television production and acting. As founder of TV Bears International, I lead bear work for screen productions and live events, bringing the animal suits together with experienced actors and on-set coordination. I previously served as CEO of Animatronic Bear Studios Inc.
My personal work also includes creature suit acting, puppetry, directing, and consultation for other studios. I work closely with directors and assistant directors to serve the story while keeping the practical needs of suit work clear to the crew.
For bear costumes and a complete bear unit, visit TV Bears International.
Professional profile
Location: Los Angeles and London; available internationally.
Representation: Self-represented; open to representation discussions.
Union status: Nonunion; open to discussing applicable SAG-AFTRA waiver work.
On-camera details
Height: 5′10″ (178 cm)
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Playing range: 30–45
Accents: British and American
Why practical effects
My fascination with practical effects grew from the films and television I loved as a child in the 1980s and 1990s. The creature work and hands-on movie magic in Aliens, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jurassic Park, The Country Bears, Gremlins, and Back to the Future made a lasting impression on me. I was also inspired by Jim Henson’s imaginative work with the Muppets, and I have always loved Bear in the Big Blue House. I still think it would be incredible to travel back in time and work on those unforgettable productions. Today, that early inspiration informs my own practical and special effects work, where movement, timing, and close collaboration help bring a director’s vision to life on camera.
How I work on set
The action has to read clearly on camera and work practically for the crew making it happen.
Creature suit acting
I build movement from observation, blocking, and the needs of the scene. I work to marks, respond to scene partners, and adjust the timing to suit the camera. That can mean restrained animal behavior or a moment of comedy when the script calls for it.
Bear unit and production coordination
I plan movement with directors and assistant directors, communicate visibility and mobility limits, and coordinate practical needs with costume and effects teams. Where a scene involves weapons or specialist action, I liaise with the relevant departments before the bear enters the set.
I also support productions with puppetry and practical effects consultation. The scope is shaped around the brief, the suit, and the shoot.
A practical stand-in for real bears
I have a deep love for real bears. When a shot would be impractical, too stressful, or unsafe for a live animal, a realistic suit can take on the action instead. I work with the director and crew to bridge those shots so the physical performance fits the sequence while the bear is spared that demand.
That has included fill-in stunt work for Bowser, a large bear, with a shot in which I crashed through a door in the suit. It is one example of how practical effects can fill the gap between what a production needs and what is appropriate to ask of an animal.
Additional credits
Screen: Forgiving God · The Late Late Show with James Corden · NCIS · The Emily Atack Show · The X Change Rate · The Late Show with Stephen Colbert · Animals on Drugs
Stage: White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland and Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, both in Retford. See my Stage 32 profile for more credits.
From collaborators
“Excellent work Matt and Team! Your professionalism, passion and commitment to the creative process was best-in-class and we’re excited to see the output of the production come to life in early 2024. Thank you again for all your hard work and partnership! Lots of love for our Bear Family!”
Scott Chapman, Director of Marketing, Dare Foods Limited
“He was incredibly responsive and helped make the production run seamlessly.”
Sophia Lafleur, Program Director, TSN
“Matthew was collaborative, flexible, and extremely helpful on a project I worked with him on.”
Jessica Redish, director, writer, and choreographer
A film in development
I am developing a film project and hope to build a neurodivergent-inclusive crew. I will share more as the project takes shape.
Studio and production inquiries
For creature suit acting, puppetry, directing, or practical effects consultation, tell me about the project and the role you have in mind. For bear costumes and full bear unit bookings, please contact TV Bears International.
Email: m.mason@tvbears.org
PDF résumé download coming soon.