40,000 visits and still going strong..

This morning I noticed that our visitor counter, below, has hit the 40,000 mark. This means the interest in the puppetry arts is still growing across the globe. Thank you to all who have supported me over the past few years and sorry I can't update the blog daily, due to lack of time. I do enjoy hearing from you, so if you have any ideas or news to share here, please do share your thoughts!

For those of you watching our Puppetry Films, listed on the right, I will continue adding stuff as often as I can and will start including new topics soon, so keep your eyes open for impressive new works.

Our international 'Puppetry for TV and Web Course' scheduled to take place in January at the Wesley Institute in Sydney will go ahead, although a few minor details might change, like we might shorten the course slightly to assist participants internationally who are working and can't take much time off work. Final details will be posted here soon, so keep your eyes open!

Jim Henson's Creatures Shop wins Engineering Emmy Award

Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™ has won an Engineering Emmy at the 61st Primetime Emmy Engineering Awards, which was held in Los Angeles on Saturday .

The Engineering Emmy was awarded for the remarkably innovative Henson Digital Puppetry Studio, a real-time animation system that allows performers to puppeteer and voice digital characters in real-time, dramatically reducing both animation time and cost.

This proprietary animation system has been utilised for the production of the highly successful, Emmy-nominated animated children’s program “Sid the Science Kid,” produced by The Jim Henson Company and KCET/Los Angeles, and has enabled the Creature Shop to

Puppet Centre Trust, UK, seeks new director

With only a few days left to apply, there is a one-year prime post available from September 2009, with a possible extension, for any puppetry maniacs in England.

The Puppet Centre Trust, is England’s national development agency for the dynamic art-form of contemporary puppetry, seeks a new Director. The successful applicant will be a strong self-starter, clear-sighted leader and experienced arts business developer able to propel this energetic, ambitious organisation to the next stage of its future.

The Puppet Centre Trust has worked as a development agency for puppetry since 1974. Based in Battersea Arts Centre, the organisation has been responsible for programming festivals and publications, a wide variety of training initiatives including artists bursary schemes, commissions local and schools projects. For further information please see their website here!

Should you wish to discuss your application further please contact Beccy Smith, Interim Director at PCT via 07977 511556.
Application is by CV plus covering letter before 1 September by email to Beccy Smith, Interim Director
(Photo: Ellen Rixford Studio)

Polish Theatre pays homage to Chagall

Teatr Groteska, a well respected puppet company in Poland opens a fascinating new production in September.

"A Homage to Chagall" was inspired by the life and work of the great painter Marc Chagall and his love for his wife, Bella, as the main theme. It is a story about fulfillment and harmony between two people, which goes beyond the socio-political realities of the real world. Metaphorically treated historical events of the 20th century loom in the background, interpreted as an apocalyptic experience on the basis of Chagall’s own life story.

The artist’s paintings are performed on stage, assuming three-dimensionality. Visual means of expression blend together harmoniously – actors in masks, puppets and multimedia. The great story of life featured on stage translates the language of painting into the language of the theatre of form with great perfection. It is a performance without words – created using colour, movement and music. This idea accounts for its uniqueness and the power of its poetic influence on our imagination. For more information, you can contact the theatre's publicist here!

Corporate Creatures films from the ABE Expo 2009

After a successful two-days at the Australian Business Events Expo last week and walking away with the 'Best New Product of the Year' Award, CCBN Presenter, Con Quest has put up three new films on his blog site here!

The short films are Con's visit to the Expo, Con interviewing an 'IT' girl; and Corporate Creatures receiving their Award. You can also find them on You Tube here, here and here! For further information, check out their website here. Enjoy!