Little Leaps: Behind the scenes

Here's a quick little snippet from behind the scenes @ the shoot for the Little Leaps game I worked on. In this clip, Lee Armstrong and Kamela Portuges are the primary puppeteers. Lee is performing "Bun Bun" the bunny and Kamela is "Sammy" Squirrel. I'm assisting Lee with "Bun Bun's" feet, making it look like he's hopping with happiness!

Enjoy!

NOTE: That link is now working...so go ahead. Click on it. You know you want to!

"Walking with Dinosaurs" LIVE!

I admit it, I have a soft spot for Dinosaurs! Our "Harry and the Tyrannosaurus Rex" puppet show clinched it, DINOS RULE!

That is why my heart went *pitter-patter* when my husband sent me this awesome YouTube vid of Dinosaur puppets being built for "Walking with Dinosaurs: LIVE!" They also have on their website an additional vid of the dinos in action!

Enjoy!

Knee update!

So, I busted my knee a little while ago and thought I'd let ya know what I did to it! I sprained one of my latteral ligaments, fractured the bone, and partially tore my ACL (one of the bits that keeps the knee stable).

I begin physical therapy in May and my Doc assures me that I'll make a full recovery--well, as much as you can recover with a torn ACL. Apparently, that sucker never heals up all the way! I'll have a trick knee (but, it won't be able to make coins disappear!) up until I decide to have surgery on it!

The surgery options are not fun but, I've managed to crack a very good joke about it! One of the options for ACL replacement is an Allograft, which uses the ACL of a cadaver (someone who has passed away). My Doc said that this graft is stronger (almost 150%) than the original ACL--and I said that's because of Zombie power! Hello?! Zombies bust through walls! Imagine what they'll do for your knees!

I'm not saying I'm getting a Zombie knee! I won't know more until after my therapy but, I thought I'd drop ya an update!

Oscar by Gund!

A super cute, super soft Oscar the Grouch by Gund! I adore Gund puppets! I've blogged about Gund before and I can't get enough! Gund puppets are easy to use, and the materials are always divine!

Applause used to have the license for Sesame Street toys. Well, they did when I worked at Puppets on the Pier...many years ago!

Enjoy!

Chef Lambchop

I found this adorable little Lambchop finger puppet @ Puppets on the Pier last week! It's made my Aurora World Inc.

Puppets On The Pier has a small number of these little guys left (I was told they've been discontinued...but, Aurora World's page still has them up--so I think they're still being made...it just might mean that the store will no longer be carrying them.

So cute!

Finger puppets @ Attention

In the store (Puppets on the Pier) right at the counter are various finger puppet displays. I love these little guys! We sold them when I worked there too. Notice the wacky Bert in the front? Awesome!

Puppets on the Pier! A fun place!

The week before I fell and hurt my knee (still awaiting results from the Doc), I took a pal of mine to San Francisco to play tourist. We made it down to Fisherman's Wharf and took a visit to Pier 39.

Years ago, I worked in the tiny puppet store "Puppets On The Pier" and I loved it! I met tons of puppeteers from around the world who gave me great advice and pointers on improving my performance (I'm looking at you Drew!).


*NOTE: This pics was published in an earlier post.

The store (and it's website) got a complete overhaul some time ago and it looks great! Bright and cheerful! So, here's a pic of the new stuff!


Enjoy!

OUCH!

Busted my knee over the weekend...tripped over a trash can in my own house. The shame! Anyways, I'm laid up with my foot propped up and covered in ice. I snuck out to quick post this (sshhh! I'm not supposed to do that! Don't tell!) but, I didn't want too much time to pass without a post. Hopefully, I can get an "all clear" from a Doc soon and resume daily life...hopping about on one foot! but, a life nonetheless!

Thanks!

- A

Display Case - Up Close.

Here I have one pic of the little display case. I really wish I had had more time to photograph the entire thing! As it was I had to sprint to the gate and made it just in time!

Pittsburgh Airport

While visiting family back East, I happened to pass through the Pittsburgh airport. I was running to make my connection when I caught this window display. Of course, I had to stop to snap a photo!

I didn't have time to read all the signs or take tons of pictures but, I DO know that Mr. Roger's Neighborhood was produced in part by the Pittsburgh PBS station WQED--and I am guessing that is why they have a display in the airport.

I have no idea what the little character's are made out of, or who made them...if anyone knows, please drop me a line!

Enjoy!

INTERVIEW: Art Grueneberger pt. 8

Are there performers out there who influenced you? Inspired you? If so, who?

Stephen Mottram, Wendy Morton, Jim Hensen, Richard Bay, Ronnie Burkett, and the list goes on....

Thanks again!

Art Grueneberger Pt. 7

Are there any particular styles of puppetry to follow? I've seen you with
Shadow Puppets and Bunraku style puppets and puppet shows...are these your
preferred mediums?

I love bunraku! It's so challenging to make it work. I also love shadows but I think that's because Wendy Morton has infected me with her passion for that medium. I'll use just about any style of puppet if it appropriate for the show I'm doing. I just love puppetry when it's done well, and when it's done for a good reason. I built puppets for a show in San Francisco once and I asked them why they wanted to use puppets. Their answer was "well, kids like puppets." This is true, but not a good enough reason to use puppets. I think it's got to work in and with the story. I don't much care for most marionette acts. I like Phil Huber's work and I love Steven Mottram's stuff. He's the most incredible marionette puppeteer I've ever seen. I wish someone would bring him to the US!

Little Leaps Demo

Hey all!
Sorry for the posting delay! I'm in New York (upstate, not swanky city) visiting the family--and they don't really have themselves the internet...so I've incommunicado (and will be again). I'll be back "in the office" April 9th and will resume regular postings!

In the meantime, I can share a little of the work I did on the Leap Frog Little Leaps "Grow with me" game system. On their website, they have a cool demo! And it showcases the puppets! YAY! To check it out click here. I performed Lulu, the Letter Spinning Spider!

Enjoy!

UPDATE: The link was busted! OOPS! I should work now! Check it out!