Operating the Big Bird puppet

[jeffkjoe]

OK.

Here's a question about operating the Big Bird puppet.

Saw Journey to Ernie today, and Matt Vogel was using BOTH wings and moving the beak at the same time. Unless he has a third hand, how does he do this?

It wasn't the old wire moving the hand up and down. There was clearly hands in both wings.

What are your theories?

 

[Splurge]

OK.

Here's a question about operating the Big Bird puppet.

Saw Journey to Ernie today, and Matt Vogel was using BOTH wings and moving the beak at the same time. Unless he has a third hand, how does he do this?

It wasn't the old wire moving the hand up and down. There was clearly hands in both wings.

What are your theories?

It was most likely a third hand. That probably is done when Big Bird is matted on the screen, as he is with Journey to Ernie. I've also seen that when he's standing by the stoop, but only when he's standing still.

I wouldn't think you'd see that done when Big Bird is walking down the street, or rollerskating, etc.

 

[scarylarrywolf]

Also you'll notice that Big Bird has a lot more close-ups in JTE that cut off his legs (sounds painful...). It makes it that much easier to put some more life into his wings.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

They do this for almost all Matt's "Journey To Ernie" segments, which I think is pretty cool. It's definately a third puppeteer. They do a lot of this on Sesame. Ever seen pictures or video of "Team Elmo" making him do one of his little dance numbers? They have four or more puppeteers working on him.

 

[Daffyfan4ever]

Yeah. Maybe that's why Carroll Spinney stays away from JTE. That does seem to be a complex process. Carroll's just not as young as he used to be, so I guess these days it would be hard for him to handle that. I hope he doesn't read this message and take offense at what I said. Lol.

 

[Splurge]

The only other time I saw both Big Bird's hands being operated with in a hand close-up of "Hand Talk". But his head wasn't in shot and anyway, I don't think it was Caroll.