'Being Elmo' released at Sundance

A bright new documentary film Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey was released this week at Sundance Festival. It is a light-hearted documentary about the puppeteer behind Elmo. His name is Kevin Clash and this is his story.
Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator, Kevin Clash, who dreamed of working with his idol, creator of 'The Muppets', Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.

There are a few previews of this fascinating film on the web. You can meet the directors here and get a taste of the film here!  The crowds at Sundance Festival went crazy when Kevin Clash discussed his life and adventures with Elmo. You can get a taste of this here!
Thanks to PuppetVision.

A Happy Puppetry New Year...

Trust that you all had an excellent Xmas. We are ready to get into an exciting and curious 2011. We are all asking what will the new year bring? I am optimistic. Before we discuss the new year, we do have one more short workshop this year. In fact we are running our end-of-the year workshop, for those that will be in Australia, at Pete's Ridge on 30 December. What's Pete's Ridge I hear you asking?  It's a great music festival in New South Wales and we are performing in a venue called Boudoir de la Fox on 30 December at 11am to 1pm.

But what are your plans for 2011? If you have anything exciting planned, please let us know and we will be happy to share this with everyone. We have another Asian Tour coming up soon and many other exciting tours planned for later in the year too, but one step at a time. As usual, we in Australia will be leading the world in bringing in the new year, as we are still way ahead of everyone else. Wishing you all a wonderful 2011...

WikiLeaks Global Puppetry

During the past months, WikiLeaks have been targeted by the US government and more recently many other country's condemnation of the whistle-blowing website which landed it's director, Julian Assange in hot water. But let's look at Assange, who comes from a family of puppeteers.

Today I spoke to his mother, Christine Assange, who runs the Fairytale Puppet Theatre in Queensland. She told me about Julian growing up with his roots in theatre and masks, even in the days before she embarked on her puppetry journey. While growing up in Australia, both Julian and his father used mask and theatre as a means of making social comment. It seems like this must have had a profound influence on his later choice of career, in which he developed his social commentary into the infamous whistleblowing website WikiLeaks.

But what is it about puppeteers that drive them to become involved in social and political commentary in our world. The truth is this tradition goes way back. In eighteenth century England, actor, writer and puppeteer Samuel Foote took his traditional Punch and Judy Show onto the streets of London to critique the British Monarchy, after actors criticizing the monarchy had been banned. When the police came to arrest him, he calmly stated "It wasn't I that said a word, it was these puppets here that should be arrested!"

This tradition has continued to our very day when puppeteers throughout the world have brought their puppets onto the streets to comment or critise the regime, as I even did during those dark days of Apartheid in South Africa. United States puppetry troupe 'Bread and Puppet'
and the British television series in the nineteen-eighties, 'Spitting Image' both used their media to criticise and protest against the government of the day.

In 2005, see my post here, a British Punch and Judy man was banned from using Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden puppets in his Kent seaside show in England and in 2004, see my post here,  during George W Bush’s re-inauguration campaign puppetry was banned in the United States. Now what does that say?

Meanwhile, Mr Assange remains remanded in custody in Britain pending proceedings to extradite him to Sweden to face sex crime allegations. Revelations embarrassing to governments all over the world, divined from the hundreds of thousands of US State Department cables leaked by Mr Assange, continue to be published by media organisations internationally.

Back in Australia from an Asian Adventure

My apologies for not keeping you all updated on our SE Asia Tour during the past six weeks. It was just a really hectic time and especially traveling with a twenty-month old and doing 'Paper and Puppetry' workshops throughout Malaysia and Singapore, followed by a two-week break in Bali, which was great, despite the fact that I fell in the rain in the last week and fractured my spine. It was a really memorable tour and I believe it opened up the Asian market to our Creativity work.

The highlight of the workshops was our two-week stint at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore (NTU). Our topic was ‘Demystifying Creativity and Moving beyond the expected, and into a space of novelty and uncharted territory in every aspect of life’.  Our brief was to carry out a pilot programme of study in the use of puppetry to break down barriers that currently exist: thus overcoming inhibition and establishing a 'safe' environment for unleashing innovative potential.

During the NTU season, we worked with Administration staff of NTU Ventures, a department which offers assistance to business start-ups in Singapore. We also had a two-day workshop with the Entrepreneurs of these start-up companies. (See the short video above!) We held a workshop for the Faculty of the university, where we worked with professors and lecturers from Engineering, Business School, Education, Humanities & Social Sciences and Arts. Even the Associate Provost of the university attended. The final workshop was the only arts-related one for stop-frame animation students. You can view a slide show of each workshop by clicking on the name links!

The evaluation outcomes of the workshops were extremely positive. One of the comments from the  faculty of education stated: "The workshop reminded me of the importance of communication and team work – critical in a big organization and in the area of education. It was also a humbling experience (there are so many creative colleagues around me!) It was a comfortable platform for me to meet people of other nationalities and from other schools within NTU. I also took comfort that creativity need not be in the form of a patent for a product which the engineers produce, but that we teacher educators are also being creative as we teach and prepare teachers for the next generation (abstract and not so measurable). My greatest take-away would be the reminder to celebrate life and humanity. I will make sure I pass this passion and compassion on to our student teachers."

We look forward to continuing our creativity work in Asia early next year. Watch this space!

Fly me to New Zealand with a puppet

We just flew back to Sydney early this morning on a dreadful Tiger Airways flight from Melbourne. This was a bit of an anti-climax after a fabulous few days of workshops and great meetings with fellow-puppeteers, theatre agents and friends in Melbourne.
On our return, I discovered a new series of commercials made by Hensons for Air New Zealand, starring Rico. I think I'll certainly chose them over Tiger for our next flying adventure. There will be three more cute ads screening on You Tube from 20 October. Check them all out here!
Another interesting interview on Face Book you might like to watch is the launch of Rico's new book about the South Island, which he refers to as a good read by the toilet. Watch it here!
Thanks to PuppetVision.

Elmo & Katy get too hot for Sesame Street

Before pop star, Katy Perry could get her milk teeth into young Elmo, their Sesame Street debut was canceled by the producers. Sesame Street's You Tube site apparently had US parents up in arms cause Katy wasn't dressed accordingly for her Sesame Street appearance. But who's being conservative here? You judge for yourselves. No porn, no nudity, not even any sexual innuendos, just a misunderstood fashion statement made by the American hit singer. It has given Katy 3.5 million You Tube hits though. You can watch the actual report here!
PS. If you want to watch a bizarre report on how they make her smell like cotton candy, click here!

The Puppet Film

In this documentary by American David Soll, we discover that, unlike many other countries, where puppets are embedded in religion, folk crafts, and high art – America has long thought of puppetry only as a children’s medium, relegated to sock puppet shows and kids television. Since the nineties, however, serious, adult puppetry has exploded in the United States. Although it still sits at the fringe, there has been a marked increase in press coverage of the puppet world and every year sees more high-profile productions featuring puppets. On Broadway, in the avant-garde, and even at the Metropolitan Opera, puppets are suddenly on the American mind. 

This ‘puppet renaissance’ suggests a key question for the film: Why was puppetry first marginalized in America, and what does it mean that we’ve returned to this ancient form? Some have argued that the explosion of puppetry is part of a larger reaction against technology and digitization. As puppeteer in the film puts it, “Can you take apart your iPod and fix it? Of course not. But you can fix your bicycle.” In other words, puppetry symbolizes a yearning for mechanical, analog, basic interactions with the world. Others have suggested the disappearance of puppetry in the West was in line with the ascendance of realism, and thus the reemergence of puppetry signals a decline in realism. Is it possible that puppetry is a symptom of a culture-wide backlash against these pillars of the modern era?
We now wait with baited breath for the release of another interesting puppetry doco!

The life of a British Muppeteer

I discovered this fascinating short documentary by Max Clendaniel, on the life of British puppeteer, Mak Wilson, who has worked on many of Jim Henson's iconic films, such as Labyrinth, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Storyteller series, Babe and Dinosaurs. He describes his work with Jim Henson and how when he really started getting close to Henson, was the time when Henson suddenly passed away. Mak played some great characters and describes some of these fantastic opportunities in his life, a life in which he also battled with depression. It's a great little doco. Enjoy.

Workshops in Vienna

Our first two weeks in Europe were spent in Vienna. We ran workshops at both the Vienna Inter- national School and the American International School all of last week. During our three days of workshops at the VIS, besides our paper and object improvisation, we also ran a short puppetry for film workshop with film students. On Friday we ran paper workshops at the American International School. The participants were IB theatre students from years eleven and twelve and their creativity was extraordinary. I am working on a short film of their work which I'll post as soon as it's done.

This week we are working in Slovenia. Based in Velenje, we are working with schools, teachers and puppeteers throughout Slovenia, before heading to Italy. Keep tuned for our news on the road!

Beaker dies on the net

After month's of secret rehearsals, Beaker has finally persuade Disney Studios to let him post his new song 'Dust in the Wind' onto You Tube. As expected, the song has finally killed his blossoming singing career. Check it out!

ABBA - The Last Puppet Video

In 2004, the most expensive music video ever made in Sweden was Abba's The Last Video. Four puppets, manipulated by puppeteers from the Jim Henson company together with some British and local Swedish puppeteers were brought to Stockholm to make this film.

The puppets, miniature caricatures of the original Swedish super group from the seventies ABBA, were trying to get a recording contract in Sweden in 1974. The record boss, however, isn't very impressed by their size. The four original ABBA members also made cameo appearances in this video, which was especially made for the Eurovision Songcontest. You can now watch the 'Making of the Abba's Last Video' here!
(Thanks to PuppeteersUnite)

New Puppet Festival launching in China

'The Shanghai International Puppet Festival' is being launched by UNIMA China from 4 to 9 November this year. This newborn festival will be a grand celebration for puppeteers from all over the world.

UNIMA is looking for performances between 45 to 70 minutes with the maximum of 12 performers in a group. The organization committee will pay accommodation, meals, and transportation charges in Shanghai for each performance group participating in the festival. The organisation committee will give awards to Best Performance, Best Performer, Best Director, Best Creative, Best Design, Best Composition, etc. The performance groups have to cover travel fees from their country to Shanghai and back to their countries, including transportation charges for performance facilities. Any interested in participation in this festival, should contact the organisation committee before 31st of May, 2009. The coordinators are Ms. He Xiaoqiong & Ms. Zhao Xue and are contactable here! The festival firmly believes that their festival and competition will contribute to the development and prosperity of world puppetry.
In Photo: Puppet master, Subur, shows the Chinese puppets Poo Tay Hie (Credit: Getty Images)

2007 International Workshop Videos launched

Just launched are our 2007 World of Paper Workshop tour videos. These short pieces encompassing workshops for both Corporate and High Schools took place throughout Europe and Canada. Our workshops combine storytelling, performance with paper and creativity skills. This year I was joined by occupational therapist, Sharon Gelber to bring sustainable science into the mix - leaving participants with specific tools and techniques that are being used in both the classroom and corporate environment, in keeping participants focussed, organised, de-stressed and in a most creative space.

You can watch these short films now (Corporate Promo and film and High School Promo and film) in the new video player on the right of this website. Enjoy!

We are now available for Australian bookings - both Corporate, as well as High School and Universities and international bookings for 2008. If you are interested in organising one of these workshops, or only in more information, you can contact me here!

Cyclops in Seattle

I am writing this from Bainbridge Island, off the Seattle coastline. It is fascinating being in the United States again, especially the going through the border post from Vancouver on Sunday. Now I understand the 'fear factor' which is injected as you enter at your own risk! This is very similar to the 'fear' portrayed in our 'Looking for a Monster' production, scheduled to open next April, at UNIMA 2008 Festival in Perth . In the photo is yours truly close to the mouth of the beast and below is my US namesake and friend, Gary Friedman Snr from Seattle. Yes, there is another out there!

Ventriloquist in Vancouver

While in Vancouver last week we visited my vent-
riloquist friend, Stan Shear and out came the puppets for a chat. It was odd for me to be doing that 'ventriloquism' again after not having done vent for many years. This gave me the excuse to look online at what's happening in the World of Ventriloquism, not heard much about unless you are involved. I found some fabulous vent artists online. What really caught my eye was the work of Nina Conti. Take a look at it here!

Puppet Power Conference opens in Canada

The Puppet Power 2007 Conf-
erence opens in Calgary next Friday. On Wednesday we fly from Montreal to Calgary to participate. This year's conference theme is 'Puppets as Agents for Social Change'. This has always been a subject close to my heart. One of the things I'll be discussing is how puppetry is used to reach out and touch people across the globe, in often profound ways, to create transformation in their lives. The puppet allows difficult issues to be discussed in a safe and often light-hearted way, which opens people up and gives them the ability to accept messages from puppets, which are often too difficult for their human counterparts to tackle. The perfect example of this was in dealing with HIV-Aids, politics, corruption and many other tough social and politically sensitive issues. Today in our workshops, we use the puppet to help people express stories from their own lives, often personal issues, which need closure and this is achieved through the puppet being another step removed from the real world of our everyday lives. See you in Calgary!
The photo is from Puppets Against Aids, taken on tour in Southern Africa in 1990.

Puppetry in Prague

In Prague, coincidence has it that we met with a great puppet maker, designer and performer, Michaela Bartonova this week. Michaela runs Tineola Theatre and has worked as artist, puppet designer and performer throughout Europe and Japan since 1989. Michaela also runs workshops in Europe and Australia for puppet design, carving and communication through puppetry. She has recently worked on a production Étaín- based on a Celtic Myth and The Haywain - a production about the fantastic world of Hieronymus Bosch's painting performed with wood-carved Czech figures, through an interpretation of Bosch's painting by figures, music, light and rhythm. Check out her website.

Playback Paper Theatre - a first in Austria

A world's first in using paper for Playback Theatre was achieved yesterday when the students of Vienna International School in Austria began using Paper Theatre in Playback. Our high school workshop began with a Paper Meditation and after some warm-up games, began to tell their own personal stories to the group. These stories were then performed on the stage to their peers and the story teller had the opportunity of interacting directly with the performers, who were all characters, quickly put together using brown paper, representing the actors in the each story. The head of drama of VIS, Mhairi MacInnes commented after the workshop: "I realised how my students opened up on a completely personal level through these stories, which would never normally occur in a classroom environment. The puppet often reflects incidents in our own lives, which have happened and have had a great psychological impact, which can often be resolved or examined through this exciting new medium." See our previos Playback post here!

Still Looking for a Monster

This morning we experienced a loud siron throughout Jerusalem marking 'Yom HaShoah' or Holocaust Memorial Day. It was really a strange feeling, cause at the time I didn't know what on earth it was and thought the city was under seige. But after a few minutes we realised it was a Holocaust tribute. This was also on the day in which we again interviewed Terezin survivor, Yehuda Bacon in Jerusalem for our documentary film 'Looking for a Monster'.

Yehuda was one of the boys who was transported, together with our protanganist Hanus Hachenburg, from the concentration camp of Terezin to the death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in December 1943. Yehuda was selected as one of 89 boys to be transfered to the work camp, just days before the rest of the 'family camp' were sent to the gas chambers on the night of 12 July 1944. Today Yehuda tells his story to the world and the fact that Hanus perished on that fateful day. The documentary film and Hanus' live puppet play, (written by thirteen-year old Hanus in 1943), will be released internationally next year. See our previous post. Keep tuned for details!

New Visual Theatre Production from Israel

Three Desires and Silence - I was invited by a friend to check out a new visual theatre production performing in a theatre in Tel Aviv this week. Three different episodes were woven together to create a mad, sensitive show. In each episode, the actress-puppet relationship is used to powerfully reveal an inner conflicted reality, that is concealed. From amongst objects and furniture emerges an internal force that can no longer be restrained. In the depth of a wardrobe, a shy, suppressed woman, unexpectedly meets a rude, inhibited character who drives her beyond herself. Seated in front of a letter desk, are a puppeteer and her "shoulder puppet". Two woman at a deadlock . For all their physical proximity and attempts to connect, they are doomed to fail.
A childhood memory unravels through personal objects and a human – doll. An autobiographical nightmare, a circle not broken, a music lesson, all come to life as beneath the sweet tale another story emerges and a secret is whispered. The production was created and performed by Yaara Goldring, Maayan Resnick and Yael Rasooly in English. I would strongly recommend this to any festival producer. For further information, you can contact the company here!