A deer and cyclist in Banff

I just got back from vacation and found a bunch of emails requesting more “How to” videos. I’ll try to get them out soon before the Project Puppet Building Contest ends!

Sorry for not posting but I was in Banff -Calgary- Canada and wasn’t able to get online regularily.

Here is the next video in my puppet building series. Can you say advanced mouthgrip?

This is an article taken from CBC News, from the Associated Press…

British bandleader, drummer and composer Jack Parnell, who led The Muppet Show’s music for its five-year run, died on Sunday at age 87 after a year-long battle with cancer.

London-born Parnell’s musical career stretched almost seven decades. The son of a showbiz family — his father was a music hall performer and his uncle ran a chain of theatres — he studied piano as a child, but found his niche on the drums, making his professional debut as a teenager in the English seaside town of Scarborough.

Serving in the Royal Air Force, he was part of a band that performed at the RAF Bomber Command HW in High Wycombe. Later he joined the renowned Ted Heath Band with jazz musicians Kenny Ball and Ronnie Scott, playing on dozens of recordings and broadcasts.

He also had his own band at this time, and left Heath in 1951 to lead a 12-piece band and later a 16-piece band.

As musical director at British broadcaster ATV in the late 1950s, Parnell oversaw the music for the long-running variety show Sunday Night at the London Palladium, produced specials featuring Tom Jones and Barbra Streisand, and served as The Benny Hill Show’s musical director.

Conducted all 120 Muppet episodes

In 1976, ATV began producing The Muppet Show, with its cast of Jim Henson’s puppets and human celebrity guests. Parnell conducted the orchestra for the variety show series’ 120 episodes, although its ostensible bandleader was the pop-eyed Muppet conductor, Nigel.

Parnell retired from ATV in 1982, but continued to perform with jazz bands near his home in Suffolk until three years ago, the Telegraph said.

Two days before his death, he celebrated his 87th birthday with his family and a glass of champagne.

He is survived by his wife, Veronica, two daughters and three sons — two of them drummers.

Here is the 2nd part of the Mouthplate building process!

Project Puppet has just announced this years Puppet Building contest theme…HEROES AND VILLANS!

This year there have been some changes made to the judging of the contest. There is also a seperate Kids Contest for the younger puppet builders out there!

For more information go to www.puppetcontest.com
 

Here is the next Episode in my Puppet Building video series. Enjoy!

I’ve always admired the puppet builder- Norman Schneider at http://www.figurenschneider.de/ 

I can’t say enough about his craftsmanship and attention to detail. Here is his latest video demonstrating some of his most brilliant works of art.

The following was posted by Pasha from Puppet Buzz…

Puppet Heap has released “Exit Row”, a new comedy web series that joins two air sickness bags, Ralph and Chuck, as they grapple with everything from love, betrayal, friendship, identity, in-flight etiquette, and life ad nauseum from the perspective of a seat back pocket.

Puppeteers James Godwin (Chapelle’s Show, The Muppets, Henson’s Stuffed and Unstrung) and Tim Lagasse (Chapelle’s Show, The Muppets, Sesame Street) lend their inimitable talents to the characters of Ralph and Chuck. Exit Row will premiere on Puppet Heap’s YouTube channel starting NOW, with new installments added each week. (Puppet Heap’s YouTube channel can be found by following the link HERE.)

“Exit Row” is a great example of just how simple AND great a “puppety” idea can be. Long live paper sack (bag) puppets!

For just $10 a ticket you can get a chance to WIN a baby monster of your own in the color of your choice.

Money contributed towards the raffle goes to the National Puppetry Conference Alumni Scholarship fund; allowing the art of puppetry to continue to grow for people who may not have the funds to go to the National Puppetry Conference.

Jon Little will only be selling 100 tickets for each baby monster build.

What does that mean for you?

Well if you buy 100 tickets. Then you win!

If you buy 50 tickets. Then you have a 50% chance of winning.

If you buy 10 tickets. Then you have a 10% chance of winning.

So, the more you buy the better chance you have to win.

If you are interested in getting tickets here is how you do it.

Please make checks payable to: “Flock Theater”
Please note on face of check: Alumni Scholarship

Mail a check to:
Jon Little
42 Metcalf St. #1
Medford, MA 02155

For each $10 increment you donate there will be a ticket with your name on it. Once they hit 100 tickets they will pull out a name and Little’s Creatures will contact the winner for what color they would like their puppet to be.

Buy your ticket now and good luck!

Emmy Award-winning puppeteer Michael Earl (formerly Mr. Snuffleupagus on Sesame Street), will be in NYC teaching a one-day TV puppetry workshop on October 1, 2010 from 10AM-5PM. Former students include the who’s who’s of Hollywood puppet professionals.  

Now it’s your turn! Tuition: $275, limit 8 per class. To sign up, visit www.puppetschool.com and make a $100 deposit to reserve your spot.