Puppet101

See the Pee-wee puppets in Action!

2010-01-29T02:07:00.001-08:00

Pee-wee Gets An iPad! from Pee-wee Herman

Swazzle puppeteers and Pee-wee Herman

2010-01-22T00:05:00.001-08:00

The Swazzle puppeteers hang with Pee-wee Herman on the set of the new Pee-wee Herman Show now playing at Club Nokia.

From left to right: Victoria Johnson (Magic Screen), Erik Kuska (Clocky, Mr. Window), Artie Esposito (Chairry), Pee-wee Herman (Himself), Haley Jenkins (Flowers, Ginger), Sean Johnson (Pterri, Randy, Shamwow), Russ Walko (Conky), Patrick Johnson (Globy, Pterri), Carla Rudy (Pterri, Randy, Mr. Window).

Populating Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Swazzle creates 19 puppets for Pee-wee Herman’s triumphant return

2010-01-18T14:46:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Populating Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Swazzle creates 19 puppets for
Pee-wee Herman’s triumphant return

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 18, 2010 – Glendale, CA-based puppet company Swazzle has re-created many of the classic puppet characters from Pee-wee’s Playhouse and built a handful of new puppets for The Pee-wee Herman Show, now playing at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. Directed by Obie Award winner Alex Timbers and starring Paul Reubens, Lynne Stewart, John Paragon and Phil LaMarr, the stage show reunites Pee-wee Herman with many of his puppet pals from the hit television series Pee-wee’s Playhouse.

That show was appointment television for Swazzle Creative Directors Sean and Patrick Johnson as kids, so when they learned of plans for a stage show, the brothers jumped at the chance to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime production. Swazzle’s team worked with design consultant Jimmy Cuomo and puppet producers The Chiodo Brothers to build Clockey, Randy, the Flowers, the Fish, Pterri, ShamWow and Cowboy Curtis’ horse, Ginger. “Working on this show is a dream come true. When I was 9 years old watching Pee-wee’s Playhouse, I never dreamed that I would get to work with Pee-wee Herman one day,” says Patrick.

The Pee-wee Herman Show features hand puppets, rod puppets, marionettes and walk-around costumes, and each posed unique building challenges. Sean, Patrick and fellow puppet builders Russ Walko and Artie Esposito worked round the clock carving foam, dyeing fleece, and stitching Spandex to complete the puppets on a demanding schedule.

The marionettes proved to be particularly challenging. For example, Pterri the Pterodactyl has to fly in from the ceiling, swoop around the room, and crash-land—a vertical distance of more than 20 feet. Swazzle relied on the advice of UNIMA-award winning puppetry consultant Basil Twist, whose idea for a split controller was essential to pulling off the stunt.

In addition to building 19 puppets for The Pee-wee Herman Show, Swazzle provided all of the puppeteers. Working as Puppeteer Coordinator, Sean assembled a team whose combined credits include work for The Jim Henson Company, The Walt Disney Company, the Muppets and the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. “The puppetry in the show is challenging,” says Sean. “I worked from the top of my list to pull in the most talented puppeteers in Los Angeles.”

Because so many different forms of puppetry are employed in the show, puppeteers are hidden everywhere—behind, beneath, on and high above the stage. Several of the characters are performed by multiple puppeteers, who trade off or work together depending on the puppet’s location and method of operation. At one point in the show, five puppeteers work together to perform Pterri as he crash-lands as a marionette and pops up as a hand puppet.

In addition to Sean Johnson (Pterri, Randy, ShamWow, the Fish, Mr. Knucklehead) and Patrick Johnson (Globey, Pterri, Mr. Knucklehead), the show features the puppetry of Artie Esposito (Chairry), Russ Walko (Conky), Carla Rudy (Pterri, Randy, ShamWow, Mr. Window, Mr. Knucklehead), Victoria Johnson (Magic Screen), Haley Jenkins (Ginger, Pterri, the Flowers, Mr. Knucklehead, Magic Screen), and Erik Kuska (Clockey, Mr. Window, Mr. Knucklehead).

Swazzle’s team members have spent years honing their puppet-building and performing skills in live puppet shows for libraries and schools, along with stage and screen projects for clients like Patton Oswalt, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, W!ldbrain/The Dan Clark Company, and Overbrook Entertainment. The Pee-wee Herman Show is the next leap forward for this young puppet company as it continues to develop and expand.

About Swazzle

Founded in 2004 by twin brothers Sean and Patrick Johnson, Swazzle is a Glendale, CA-based company specializing in puppetry for film, television and the stage. Together with their troupe of professional puppeteers they have performed hundreds of shows in venues across California.

Sean and Patrick have worked with leading children’s entertainment companies including The Jim Henson Company, PBS Kids Sprout, The Walt Disney Company and The Baby Einstein Company. They also teach puppetry technique to actors and comedians from The Groundlings for The Jim Henson Company.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Sean Johnson
Swazzle
866-792-9953
sean@swazzle.com

Swazzle Building Puppets for Pee Wee Herman!

2009-11-30T14:01:00.000-08:00

Everyone here at Swazzle is very excited to announce that we will be recreating many of the classic puppet characters from Pee Wee's Playhouse for The Pee Wee Herman Show: Pee Wee's triumphant return!

We're working with the creative team to make all new stage versions of the shows' most beloved characters. At this time we're unable to share anymore info, but please standby for updates and information.

In the mean time please visit peewee.com, or click here to get tickets.

Follow Swazzle on Twitter

2009-09-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

Swazzle is now on Twitter. Keep updated on the cool puppet stuff happening at Swazzle by following us on Twitter! Click here to follow Swazzle.

Muppets at D23 Expo

2009-09-14T22:31:00.000-07:00

This past Friday and Sunday I had the pleasure of seeing the Muppets live at Disney's D23 Expo. During the big Walt Disney Pictures presentation, the Muppets made a surprise appearance. Over 20 Muppets, including Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo (and of course a handful of chickens and penguins) rode in on the Mark Twain steam boat, pushed by Sweetums, and sang a few Muppet classics. The highlight was Kermit the Frog singing "Rainbow Connection".

Sunday was the Muppet presentation - a whole hour dedicated to the Muppets! There were cool announcements (Muppet*Vision 3-D remastered, more Muppet YouTube videos, Whatnot Workshops coming to the parks, Mobile Electric Mayhem Band, and more), raffle prizes, and a live appearance by Sam the Eagle.

The highlight of Sunday was meeting Gonzo, Fozzie and Pepe in person! We happened to be the very last people in line - The Muppets visited and took photos with guests for at least two hours.

Aside from the cool live appearance, there was also some very cool Muppet product on display. My favorite were the Pook-a-Looz plush - think of them as Disney characters by way of Ugly Dolls.

I've got a lot more photos from D23 Expo, check them out here.

Man Eating Plant Loose in Swazzle Workshop!

2009-08-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

Swazzle's Audrey Two killer plant puppets are nearing completion. In this video, Swazzle puppeteers and puppet builders, Patrick Johnson and Russ Walko, test out Audrey II's man eating ability.

Swazzle and Patton Oswalt

2009-08-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

Swazzle provided puppets and puppeteers for a short sketch at the beginning of Patton Oswalt's new comedy DVD, My Weakness is Strong. The unrated DVD (not for kids) hits store shelves today.

Swazzle puppeteers Grant Baciocco, Brian Clark, Artie Esposito, Patrick Johnson, Sean Johnson, Victoria Johnson, and Russ Walko all helped out on the shoot.

Swazzle's Audrey 2 on Notcot

2009-07-22T23:32:00.000-07:00

Notcot.org featured the link to our Audrey 2 behind the scenes photos. Swazzle has been building a new set of Audrey 2 puppets over the past month or so. Soon they will be available to rent for productions of "Little Shop of Horrors". Check out the Notcot blurb and the behind the scenes photos on Swazzle's Facebook fan page.

Little Shop of Horrors

2009-07-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

Swazzle's puppet builders are hard at work on our next exciting puppet project. We are building a brand new set of Audrey II puppets for the hit musical "Little Shop of Horrors". The puppets will be completed in late August - once finished, they will be rented to high schools and theaters presenting the Off Broadway smash.

Check out Swazzle's Facebook Fan Page for exclusive behind the scenes photos.

For more information on renting our Audrey 2 plant puppets for you production of "Little Shop of Horrors" please call Swazzle 866-SWAZZLE (792-9953)

Swazzle on Notcot.org

2009-06-20T17:11:00.000-07:00

Notcot.org a website all about art, design, and culture posted a link about Swazzle's light up puppet show, Water Color. Check it out here.

Light up Puppets - Before and After

2009-06-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

The puppets for Swazzle's new light up puppet show Water Color were covered with Electroluminescent Wire, also know as EL Wire. Hundreds of feet of EL Wire was painstakingly hand stitched to the puppets with transparent thread. Water Color is now on tour all over Southern California, to see when Water Color is playing in your town check out our online tour schedule. To see what the puppets look like with the stage lights on, and with the lights off, I've posted some before and after photos.

The cast of Swazzle's light up puppet show, Water Color, before and...

...after.

The Cycloptopus from Swazzle's light up puppet show, Water Color, before and...

...after

Ellie Fish the Jelly Fish from Swazzle's light up puppet show, Water Color, before and...

...after.

Adolfo the Dolphin from Swazzle's light up puppet show, Water Color, before and...

...after.

Gray the star of Swazzle's light up puppet show, Water Color, before and...

...after.

Star the starfish from Swazzle's light up puppet show, Water Color, before and...

Light Up Puppets

2009-06-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

The light up puppet cast of Swazzle's light up puppet show Water Color. Water Color is now touring in Southern California click here to view our tour schedule.

Swazzle is Go!

2009-06-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

Swazzle's summer puppet show season officially kicked off today with Water Color in Southern California, and River Otter Circus in Northern California. Monday, Goldilocks and the Three Buccaneers begins it's Los Angeles tour. Check our online schedule to see when Swazzle is performing in your town.

Glow in the Dark Puppets

2009-06-08T23:34:00.000-07:00

Swazzle's new puppet show Water Color features a cast of glow in the dark puppets. The puppets are covered with EL wire. Pictured above are the dolphin, jellyfish, starfish, and nautilus.

New Large Puppet Stage

2009-06-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

This is the new puppet stage that we will be using for the new Swazzle puppet shows, River Otter Circus, and Water Color. Swazzle's summer puppet show season begins in just over a week.

New Forest Fables Puppet Stage

2009-06-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

The new puppet stage for Swazzle's summer puppet show, Goldilocks and the Three Buccaneers is finished, and ready for it's debut. New Swazzle puppeteer Artie Esposito will be touring this show at many Los Angeles Public Library branches.

River Otter Painted Drop

2009-05-20T18:13:00.000-07:00

Swazzle's new puppet stages feature a large painted drop between the two playing areas. Here are some photos of me painting the drop for River Otter Circus, and the final product.

New Water Color Puppets

2009-05-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

Patrick just finished a bunch of puppets for Swazzle's new glow in the dark under water puppet show, Water Color. Check them out.

New Swazzle Stage

2009-05-08T16:31:00.000-07:00

I just created a mock up for Swazzle's new puppet stage. This stage has four major playing areas. One on the left, one on the right, an optional shadow stage in the middle, and one out front (with the puppeteer visible). This stage will be impressive, colorful, and easier to set up than our current stage.

New Puppet

2009-05-06T20:15:00.000-07:00

This is the latest puppet for the new Swazzle puppet show, The River Otter Circus.

Busy Day in the Swazzle Workshop

2009-04-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

This is a busy time for Swazzle. Right now we are working on a couple of custom puppet builds - One of the puppets is a seven foot walk around. We are also building puppets for Swazzle's summer puppet show tour. Along with that we doing some creative development on some very cool projects... top secret, for now. Here are some photos from the day. Enjoy.

By the way, Swazzle is having auditions on April 30. Click here for more.

Swazzle Creative Director/puppeteer/puppet builder, Sean Johnson sews sea monster tentacles for the new Swazzle puppet show, Water Color.

Swazzle Creative Director/puppeteer/puppet builder, Patrick Johnson sands a nautilus shell for the new Swazzle puppet show, Water Color.

Puppet show creator/director Dan Clark in the Swazzle Workshop.

Puppeteer/puppet builder Russ Walko builds a seven foot walk around puppet for a short film.

Puppeteer/puppet builder Artie Exposito builds a puppet for a short film in The Swazzle Workshop.

Puppeteer/actor/writer Brian Clark develops a couple of new Swazzle projects in the Swazzle Workshop.

Swazzle Puppeteer Auditions

2009-04-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 30th, beginning at 10am

Swazzle
4525 San Fernando Rd., Unit F
Glendale, CA 90035

Swazzle is looking for puppeteers to perform live puppet shows at libraries across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

These 45-minute puppet shows will be presented during the summer as entertainment for the libraries’ summer reading programs.

The puppeteer will be required to transport the show to the venue; interact with the client and the public in a professional manner; and set up, perform and break down the show. There may be multiple performances per day.

Performers will be paid a flat fee per show.

To schedule an audition time, please call 866-792-9953 or e-mail puppetshows@swazzle.com and put “Audition” in the subject line.

The Ringmaster's Son

2009-04-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

This is the latest puppet for the new Swazzle puppet show, The River Otter Circus. I built him based on Patrick's design. The River Otter Circus will begin it's Northern California tour on June 16, 2009, it moves to San Diego on July 20, 2009. Check out Swazzle.com for a complete tour schedule.

Ringmaster

2009-03-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

This is the Ringmaster the newest puppet I built for the new Swazzle The River Otter Circus. He's and hand puppet and his arms move like a glove puppet. The fur was dyed and boiled to get that fun color and texture. I think he looks like cotton candy, which is perfect for a circus. This little guy also has a black top and a bow tie.