Puppet Demo

[rtgentry]

Hey can anyone give me any advice on how to make a demo dvd to turn into Kevin Clash? Like what info do you include, what skills do you show? Any info will help.
Kevin is going to be in Austin Texas in a month and I want to drop it off to him.

Thanks
Randy

 

[TherianPrime]

Well I suppose that would depend on why you're doing it. If I remember correctly he's the guy that operates Elmo on SS. From the tone of what you wrote it would seem that you're looking to get a job as a puppeteer from him... personally I think that approach most likely won't get you far (unless that's why he's going to be in Texas) because if he's a performer and not necessarily a producer. Think about it from his perspective.

If I came to town promoting something that I was involved in and someone came up to me and gave me a "demo tape" I may or may not be inclined to pass it along to my manager or producer depending on (a) how nice and genuine -- and non-creepy I felt they were (b) how interested in me as well as my craft -- I am promoting something remember and (c) if I felt there was some sort of rapport with that person in the brief time we spent chatting to merit me sticking my neck out and telling my manager/producer/who-ever to look at the tape. Remember, unless he's ALSO the producer he's most likely not going to have much if any pull with the people who are doing the hiring.

Now on the other hand if someone were to come up and give me a tape of a sketch or something like that I may be more inclined to look at it because it takes the pressure off of me to be responsible if the guy gets hired or not.

So my advice would be to strike up a conversation, be cool, have a good time, mention that you're a puppeteer as well, maybe talk shop, mention that you have a couple skits that you think he might like (post them on YouTube so he can look you up later if he chooses) and IF he solicits a copy then say, "yea I think I might have one on me" .... doing it this way does a couple things. If he asks for it then he's more likely to actually look at it. Also if he solicits the material then it gives you (some) protection legally should material that you do shows up in a project that he's in. This is why movie studios and record companies don't generally accept unsolicited material. Remember though, he may be under strict orders from his handlers NOT to look at ANY material that's handed to him for just that reason.

I'm not trying to discourage you, I'm just letting you know some of the realities IF he's not out looking to hire people. Bottom line, just go to whatever this event is and have fun -- if you get the chance to meet him, treat him like a human being, remember there are probably going to be a couple dozen other people that are going to try to pass their demo tape to him so if you do it, try to be cool about it. And please please please don't do any Elmo-esque skits in the tape you give him. If you copy his work, he'll think of you as a fan, if you show him something original he may think of you as a peer.

/soapbox

 

[rtgentry]

If you just think Kevin MIGHT be elmo you probably would not know that he does a lot of recruiting for sesame workshop and he does puppet workshops with those prospects. So I am sure if I give him the demo he would the man to see it. But thanks for your advice... just still did not answer my question... but thanks....really I mean it.. thank

 

[TherianPrime]

Ah, see I didn't know that he recruited for Sesame Street. In that case let me send you my demo to give to him too ... seriously though, I think that if you video taped a couple skits of your own, maybe had a friend (or even yourself if you're good at it) edit the footage to polish it up a little bit so it doesn't look like a "home movie"; that in itself would speak volumes about how serious you are about puppeteering. I also think that putting stuff up on YouTube or on your own website could do nothing but make yourself more visible not only to him but to anybody else that might be looking for new talent.

 

[Blink]

Hey can anyone give me any advice on how to make a demo dvd to turn into Kevin Clash? Like what info do you include, what skills do you show? Any info will help.
Kevin is going to be in Austin Texas in a month and I want to drop it off to him.

Thanks
Randy

Hi rtgentry,

I've never made a puppet demo before, but that being said here are my thoughts. Some basics that Kevin would most likely be looking for are things like:

1) Entrance (make sure your arm is not seen, give the puppet a nice natural bounce).

2) Find the centre of the screen (make sure you can stop dead in the middle of the frame with your puppet and turn to monitor)

3) Find eye focus (you should be able to find focus with your puppet's eyes as soon as your puppet turns to the camera. Your puppet should look like it is looking directly at the person watching the television screen)

4) Good lip sync (you should be able to have a convincing sync with your puppet mouth and your words)

5) Good character (your charcter should be original and interesting/funny)

6) Good exit (your puppet's exit should show an understanding of the illustion of weight. For example the puppet should shift its weight as he turns to exit, not simply glide off the screen like a ghost)

7) Keep it short (most people I know don't want to spend a lot of time watching demos. I would keep it under 1 -2 mins; others may disagree with this point).

Aside from those things just be creative and have fun. Again these are just my thoughts. I hope they help.

 

[muppetperson]

I think it is better to hand him a physical tape so he has quick axcess or can pass it on to recruitment, rather than telling him to look it up on you tube, where he has to look for it and wait for it to download when he is busy.I would film a short skit that has a few characters in it so he can get an idea of vocal range and something dramatic, which would showcase emotions and dont forget to film your contact details so it comes on screen to, because if you just write it on the cover, it can get lost.Good luck.

 

[TherianPrime]

I didn't mean put it on YouTube just for him... If you're going to do something worth showing to someone for a job, you should make it accessible to more than just him because you just don't know who else might stumble across it. I know so many "aspiring" film makers that have short films that they don't show anyone. It seems a shame that they don't because they aren't going to grow or learn or get "discovered" if the only person that sees their work is their parents.

 

[dkmontgomery]

Interesting info

Just listening to the various advice. I found it interesting.