Anita Starts Her Summer Puppetry Season!

Anita performed her first show of The River Otter Circus today! She'll be appearing at libraries all over northern California - and for free! - this summer. If you want to see some super-cute puppetry, check out her schedule, and bring your kids!

Toy OTD: Mindstyle Dark Crystal Vinyl Figure: UrRac The Scribe (2007)

Dark Crystal fans have waited a long time for character figures - twenty-five years - but MINDstyle has finally given us a toy that's worth the wait (no offense to Plan-B Toys, who has also produced some fantastic mini-busts). This recent Mystic figure is simply gorgeous!

Everything about this vinyl figure is top notch - the sculpt is beautiful and extremely accurate. The pose is straight out of the movie, and the paint apps are on-model and appropriately complex. If you want a vinyl version of this character, you simply couldn't ask for better!

Granted, there could be more articulation, but I think to maintain the design integrity, MINDstyle could have gone the jointed-figure-in-a-cloth-costume route, a la Hot Toys. To get hair that isn't sculpted, they could've gone the hard-core-clothed-resin-figure route, a la Sideshow, but both of those routes would make the figure much more expensive. Now you know I love both of those approaches, but to make a figure this accurate and this detailed for under a hundred dollars is really terrific!

And then there's the box. Even the box is incredible! Its design is on theme to the film's style, and it's covered with lovely photography and eye-catching foil passes. There's even a front-panel-door that allows you to check the figure out if you're one of those mint-in-box types. I think it had magnetic fasteners, but the may have been Velcro. Either way, the packaging is stand-alone great!

This toy sold a year ago for $70-$80, but you're in luck! It's available for sale at toynk.com at the lower price of $59.99 + shipping - grab one now, before they wise up!

Comic-Con Hosts Red Fraggle!

It's official! Red Fraggle herself will be at San Diego Comic-Con on Sunday, July 27th! Come and watch Red dance her cares away right in front of you!

Red's going to be there (along with the always amazing puppeteer, Karen Prell) to beat the drum for the Fraggle Rock DVDs (especially the upcoming season four box - the last set of the series!):

2:45-4:15 Fraggle Rock— Help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Fraggle Rock and learn more about this fall's newest DVD release! Join Red—making a personal appearance—as she sneak peeks the DVD special features and some other DVD surprises! Room 6B

See you at the 'Con!

Fraggle Movie Moves Forward

"The Weinstein Co. will turn the Jim Henson series 'Fraggle Rock' into a live-action musical feature.

Cory Edwards, who directed the animated 'Hoodwinked!' for TWC, will helm the picture and write the screenplay. The Jim Henson Co. will produce and TWC will distribute.

Just like the series, the film will be populated by a mix of human characters and Fraggle Rock puppets. TWC co-chair Harvey Weinstein, who has been steering his company more aggressively into the family film arena, made the marriage with Lisa Henson, who runs JHC with her co-CEO brother, Brian Henson."

If you want to read the rest of Michael Fleming's Variety article, click here.

Dave Barclay Interview

"Films like Star Wars, Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal were graced with the inventive and imaginative characters brought to life by Dave Barclay. Carole Bouchard had a chance to talk to the puppet master about his unique career.

Now that he has embraced new technology like motion capture, CG and real-time digital puppeteering, he is definitely pioneering an exciting future for a craft that injects real and unique personality into storytelling."

To read the rest of Carole Bouchard's CG Channel interview with my buddy Dave, click here!

New Muppet Film In The Works

VARIETY: Segel and Stoller take on Muppets
'Marshall' duo to write, direct film for Disney
By MICHAEL FLEMING - Posted: Wed., Mar. 12, 2008, 9:00pm PT

Disney has enlisted scribe-thesp Jason Segel and helmer Nick Stoller to create the next Muppet movie for the studio.

Segel and Stoller will write the script and Stoller will direct.

Segel, who graduated from Apatow-produced skeins "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared" got his first sole writing credit on the Apatow-produced "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Universal releases the pic, which Stoller directed, on April 18.

In "Sarah Marshall" Segel's character writes a "Dracula" musical performed by puppets. Those cloth creatures were custom-made by the Henson puppeteers, and the experience emboldened Segel to pitch his concept for a Muppets movie when he was invited in for a general meeting with exec Kristin Burr. Segel got a deal in the room and enlisted Stoller to co-write and direct the project.

Segel and Stoller just made another U deal to co-write the comedy "Five-Year Engagement," with Stoller helming and Segal starring.

Segel, from the CBS laffer "How I Met Your Mother," next stars in "I Love You, Man" at DreamWorks.

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Well, this could be cool - I hope they're both fans of the show. It'll be interesting to see how the transition to writing for puppetry goes. I'm assuming it's significantly different from writing live-action.

Henson Biopic A Possibility

EMPIREFILMGROUP.COM: Empire acquires rights to Jim Henson screenplay
Empire has scheduled the film for production in late summer with a $30 million budget
February 4, 2008

Empire Film Group, Inc. has acquired the motion picture production and distribution rights to "Henson," an original screenplay by Robert D. Slane that chronicles the life and achievements of Muppets creator, Jim Henson. Empire has pegged the film for production in late summer with a $30 million budget to be funded through a consortium of international presales and co-production partners.

"This is a major project about an entertainer of legendary stature and worldwide acclaim," said Dean Hamilton-Bornstein, CEO of Empire Film Group. "The script is superb and should provide a terrific roadmap for a completed film that will satisfy both mainstream audiences and critics. We're very excited about this acquisition and the commercial caliber of this project."

"Henson" covers the life of puppeteer, filmmaker and entertainment mogul Jim Henson, from his early fascination with television as a teenager, through his spectacular career and life achievements. Empire anticipates hiring a major director, such as Penny Marshall, and hopes to attract notable star cast in key roles. Bornstein will act as Executive Producer, with Empire Home Entertainment President Eric Parkinson producing the film along with Xavier Mitchell.

"Jim Henson is one of the best known and most beloved entertainers of all time," said Parkinson. "His story is inspiring, tragic, heartwarming and epic, and will make for an important and entertaining motion picture. This is the sort of movie that Empire will be pursuing as we build the company into a leading independent studio."

Learn more about Empire Film Group by visiting www.empirefilmgroup.com.

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Sounds great to me! I'd love to see a good film about Jim Henson. His work has been languishing for years, and a well-made biography might help inspire a new generation of puppeteers.

Greetings From Hell

Swazzlers Sean and Patrick Johnson performed the characters (from pre-recorded voice tracks) for a series of JibJab Sendables - short clips that are clearly a cut above your average e-card! Check out all six and mail them to your friends! Where else can you watch a puppet Hitler (background) being tortured? Don't answer that.

New Swazzle Workshop Episode Now Online!

In episode 8, guest star Louie The Snake helps Tiger and Mousedeer to build a snake puppet. Tiger is horribly ophidiophobic, and Louie takes full advantage of the situation. At least Tiger gets something for his trouble - but what? Find out for yourself!

PS - Doesn't Louie The Snake sound like he should involved in trafficking grey market craft supplies or something? I'll bet he has a cousin Paulie.

Swazzle Workshop Episode #7 Now Online!

The latest episode of Swazzle Workshop guest stars Mayor Mole! He tries to help Tiger and Mousedeer teach everyone how to build a garbage monster puppet. How does he do? Go find out!

Swazzle Gets More (Digital) Ink!

This time at theunion.com (and presumably the paper version of the Nevada County Prospector as well)! The story take a while to load, so be patient. I did a frame grab so you can see Anita's three photo credits! WOO! Congratulations, babies!

Swazzle Article @ PuppetVision Blog

Swazzle is featured in yesterday's PuppetVision Blog post! Andrew wrote a great piece about the Rex & Boots video that's currently linked to the Nancy Drew movie site. Thanks, Andrew!

Degrees Of Separation

Swazzle shot a video to help promote the Summer Library Reading Program's theme - Get A Clue - for the California Library Association convention.

As it turns out, Get A Clue is also the tagline for Warner Brothers' upcoming Nancy Drew movie. Since that was the case, the studio made the SLRP its partner and is now promoting it on their website. And because of that, the CLA donated the Swazzle Rex & Boots video to view on the Get A Clue with Nancy Drew page.

So - Anita's puppetry is linked to the site of a major motion picture! Cool!

Anita At Work

If you'd like to see a little video of Anita working with the Images In Motion crew on the Leap Frog Little Leaps game, click here!

James Frawley Interview

SFGATE/THE POOP: Q&A - "The Muppet Movie" director James Frawley
Posted By: Peter Hartlaub (Email)

When we decided last month to go forward with The Poop Presents: "The Muppet Movie" (at the Cerrito Speakeasy this weekend; noon and 3 p.m. on Sat.; 2 p.m. on Sun.), I wanted to interview at least one person connected with the film.

James Frawley was at the top of my list, and not just because he directed the movie -- he gets bonus points for being behind the camera during more than half of the episodes of "The Monkees."

I got his e-mail from an old friend who works at the Director's Guild of America, and Jim wrote back the next day. He was in the middle of a directing job, but gave me some time on the phone early this week.

The Poop: Here's the most important question. How did you get Kermit the Frog to ride a bike?

James Frawley: Every time I show the film -- whether it's to film students at USC or UCLA or I'm going to a festival -- that's always the first question: How did Kermit ride the bicycle? And my stock answer is: I put him on a three-wheeler until he got his balance, and then I put him on the two-wheeler.

TP: I'm looking at your IMDB entry. You started out as an actor, and then all of a sudden you're directing "The Monkees."

JF: I was an actor in New York, and I had studied with Lee Strasberg and The Actors Studio and I did Broadway and off-Broadway, but at the same time I was very interested in photography. ... I picked up a 16mm camera and I shot two short films and edited them myself. They won a lot of awards and attracted the attention of Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson, two young producers in Hollywood at that time. Because I had been an improvisational actor and done a lot of comedy, they thought I'd be a perfect combination to direct "The Monkees."

TP: How did you get "The Muppet Movie" job?
JF: Jim Henson had seen "The Monkees" and liked my work on that, and seen some other television that I had done. He knew that I had been an actor, and thought that I was the right combination for The Muppets. He flew me to London where they made "The Muppet Show." We met, and we had an immediate connection.

TP: Why didn't they direct it themselves?

JF: Up until that time they had never shot film. They had only shot tape, and they had never shot outside the studio. So (Henson) knew that he needed somebody who was a filmmaker and knew what to do with the camera. And he felt pretty good about my sense of humor. It seemed like a good combinations of talents for his Muppets. I had a very childlike approach to my work, and the Muppets fit in well with that.

TP: You also directed the pilot episode of "Ally McBeal." It seems like you specialize in blending fantasy and reality.

JF: You're absolutely right. I'm very comfortable with things that are of another world, or are not real. I've always enjoyed things that were quirky and off the beaten path.

TP: How did you approach directing "The Muppet Movie"?

JF: I had seen the show on the air, but I had no idea how they did it. So I learned the technique of Muppet performers -- they use cameras to watch themselves perform, and sets had to be built six feet off the ground, so the floor could be taken up and they could work from underneath.

TP: How was "The Muppet Movie" different than "The Muppet Show"?

JF: They had never been shot outdoors, or in car or real locations, and we pretty much had to invent it as we went along. Every shot had never been done before, because nobody had taken Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy and Kermit and put them in a Studebaker. It's the same thing that Peter Jackson had to do on his ("Lord of the Rings") films. None of that had ever been done before in the style that he did it.

TP: It doesn't sound like it was fun all the time.

JF: We just had to approach it like an adventure, and have the confidence and humor and good will to know that you can't make a mistake. And there was such a sense of comraderie and love and community that Jim Henson and his people brought to the work. I had no choice but to embrace it and let it carry me along.

TP: Was there one scene that was the most challenging?

JF: You have to figure that you had four grown men under the dashboard of that Studebaker. Fozzie Bear was operated by two people, Kermit was operated by somebody else and then Miss Piggy by somebody else. They had to have video imaging of what they were doing, so they could watch their own performance as it happened. And then we had a little person in the back of the car, steering and driving. We had a video camera on the nose of the car so he could see where he was going.

TP: Jesus.

JF: (Laughs) That was the most challenging. And all it looks like when you see the movie is a pig, a frog and a bear driving down the road.

TP: What was it like working with all the guest stars. You were a pretty young director, and you're on a set with Bob Hope and Milton Berle and all these other legends?

JF: They were all a pleasure to work with. We agreed to have them one day and one day only. They agreed to do it because they loved the Muppets. Some had more belief in the Muppets than others, but they were just a joy. Richard Pryor had a great deal of fun. And Jim Coburn was a friend of ours.

TP: What about Orson Welles?

JF: Orson Welles was just a joy. He had a history of magic and he knew that the Muppets were a form of magic and he knew every character's name. He even knew we had changed the color of somebody's hat.

TP: Our readers almost unanimously picked this movie as our blog's first children's film presentation. Do you get excited that people still appreciate your work.

JF: I'm so flattered and thrilled that you chose "The Muppet Movie." It's my favorite movie in my career. I wish I could be there this weekend to see the reaction.

Posted By: Peter Hartlaub (Email) | March 02 2007 at 03:30 AM

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Thanks to the PuppetVision blog for the link!

Jarrod Boutcher, Awesome Puppet Builder

Take a gander at Jarrod's website, packed with awesome Muppet and Avenue Q replicas that he makes for fun, as well as original creations. You can even custom-design a puppet yourself, and pay him to make it! I'm sure they're not cheap, but it looks like they're totally worth it.

Thanks to Muppet Central for the info!

Episode 6 Of The Swazzle WorkShop Now Online!

Prairie Dog Pete visits the workshop, and teaches Tiger and Mousedeer how to make a multi-charactered glove puppet. Have fun... Yee-haw!

More Swazzle Videos!

Now playing in The Swazzle Workshop: Tiger and Mousedeer present funny shows to demonstrate how their puppets work! Check out their first skit, “The Hungry Dragon”!

Cute Kid's Show On Noggin

Jack's Big Music Show is a very cute new puppet show (well, new to me, anyway) that's a lot of fun for kids and adults! Appealing designs, great puppetry and catchy songs, too! Take a look at their web page and Tivo an episode or two. Make sure to check out Sheldon the Grumpy Squirrel!

A New Swazzle Podcast!

Frosty's 12 Days Of Christmas, where he'll be counting down the days (each with its own episode) to his favorite holiday! First up, an interview with Dasher, the second most popular reindeer. Be sure to click on the ad link when the video's over!

UPDATE: Episodes 2, 3, and 4 are now up and running. Check 'em out!