How they operate the Muppets

[muppetational]

Is there any site that shows how they operated the Muppets in the old Muppet Show I really want to know how they do it without being seen. For example, The Swedish Chef. He runs around chasing the chicken, but you don't see a human running around - but you do see a floor. Is someone dressed in a costume running around for him? How can you not see Jim (from what I remember reading, those are actually Jim's human hands through the Chef's sleeves), or a shadow of Jim?

Another question is, in cases where they are against a set and they have the Muppets up really high and their hand up the Muppets (so the camera doesn't look down and see them or anything), how do they put the set on the same level as the Muppets way up there? Thanks!

 

[MWoO]

When would you see a floor??

 

[muppet_dk]

heres a few behind the scenes pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/muppet_dk/behind/OMAM27.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/muppet_dk/behind/OMAM17.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/muppet_dk/behind/HENSON2.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/muppet_dk/behind/back1.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/muppet_dk/behind/frankoz2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/muppet_dk/behind/aebio_20.jpg

I haven't seen the swedish chef running around where the floor is seen. Most times the set are higher and the puppeteers just rasie the puppets above the head. Other times they sit on chairs or boards with wheals on.
The chefs hands are not Jims but Frank Oz.

 

[ryhoyarbie]

Those are great behind the scene pictures. Operating the muppets seems like it's hard work.

ryan

 

[Harvey Towers]

Those are great pictures - especially the Spike Milligan one; I've always wondered how they got the muppet on the same level as the guest star.

 

[muppetational]

When would you see a floor??

Like for example, when the Swedish Chef is chasing after the chicken...you would think you would see some old guy's shadow..lol. No seriously, it looks like you can see a floor, no hands.

And for some of those pictures, for example http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/muppet_dk/behind/HENSON2.gif

On the TV of course, you can't see Henson's head

 

[MWoO]

Well I don't think there is ever a floor seen in the shot, unless it's done like that picture where the performer is in a trch like space and the floor is seen in the back ground. It's all an illusion really. I've never seen a floor during a Chef skit.

 

[D'Snowth]

Those are some great pictures! Hmmm, who's the one with Steve and Richard in this pic?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ehind/back1.gif

 

[Pug Lover]

I love those behind the scenes photos.

Harvey Towers,you took the words right out of my mouth.I myself have so often wondered how they managed to get the guest stars and muppets seen on the same level on stage and backstage.Especially backstage.

 

[That Announcer]

Those are some great pictures! Hmmm, who's the one with Steve and Richard in this pic?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ehind/back1.gif

That would be Louise Gold. Dunno who she's performing in that shot, though.