Oobi - Good or Bad for puppetry?

[staceyrebecca]

Stacey, I think you are thinking of Senor Wences instead...

Either way, I totally agree that what Oobi is doing is most certainly valid puppetry AND a very positive benefit to the artform.

Oh blast my brain! Yes I am! thank you.

 

[D'Snowth]

Something I just happened to think of!

You can actually DO things to the puppets on Oobi withouth having to worry about damaging them - for example, a muppet puppet can't touch anything oily or greasy because it will damage them (Cookie Monster's cookies aren't real cookies, they're fat free oatmeal cakes), however on Oobi, they can touch anything, or have something splatter on them without having to worry about damage (like when Oobi, Kako, and Uma are having a mud bath).

 

[staceyrebecca]

Something I just happened to think of!

You can actually DO things to the puppets on Oobi withouth having to worry about damaging them - for example, a muppet puppet can't touch anything oily or greasy because it will damage them (Cookie Monster's cookies aren't real cookies, they're fat free oatmeal cakes), however on Oobi, they can touch anything, or have something splatter on them without having to worry about damage (like when Oobi, Kako, and Uma are having a mud bath).

Downside: You can't set oobi on fire.

 

[Toasty]

Downside: You can't set oobi on fire.

Well, maybe once...

 

[Jinx]

It puts me in mind of Burr Tillstrom's "Hand Ballets". Nothing but the man's bare hands and able ton convey emotion like nothing I've seen before or since.

Check one out at http://kukla.tv/berlin.html

It's really quite small on the screen, but well worth the watch.Truth be told, I think if one is able to make believable characters with bare hands they are much better prepared to bring a puppet to life.

 

[Blink]

I think if one is able to make believable characters with bare hands they are much better prepared to bring a puppet to life.

I agree.

 

[biblebetty]

that was very beautiiful, I love to see simple things that speak volumes.

 

[Convincing John]

Don't forget the little segment on Muppets on Puppets. Jim said that even just using your hands was a kind of puppetry. Then Jim, Don and Frank did a little sketch with just their gloved hands and a few props.

Frank also did a little finger puppet demonstration with just his hand and a little bit of cloth, etc. If you have Season 3 of The Muppet Show, check it out.

Convincing John

 

[Mad Puppet Lab]

For The Love Of Oobi

I agree with you all. You know the amazing thing about Oobi? Every child has one at the end of their wrist ("...and he's always with you"). It's pure genius.

My little two year old is obsessed with Oobi. I got ahold of some Oobi eyes and she was just amazed.

As simple as it may seem, I have seen some amazingly creative puppetry, including designs and emotions. My hats off to the creators. My little girl has learned more through Oobi than any television show she has watched. (Or any book for that matter!).

I still have to laugh. Here she is, living in a home full of puppets...but it is a pair or eyes that holds her attention. Now THAT'S something!

 

[ATG]

Oh, I loved that show! I TiVo'd every episode and watched it obsessively! It was a fantastic program. I thought the messages were wonderful, the stories well told, and the characters lovable (come on, how can you not adore Grampu with his "lovely" voice). I don't believe they are making new episodes any longer and it's a shame! That just leaves me with "Jack's Big Music Show"!