Elly's Puppet Blog

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26434717144457279812009-12-18T11:26:04.182-08:00Elly's Puppet Blogelly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-67525892760981291952009-12-17T21:49:00.000-08:002009-12-17T21:57:56.494-08:00The Muppet Whatnots are Back

FAO Schwartz has brought back the Muppet Whatnots for Christmas:http://www.fao.com/whatnots/index.jspThis is the final weekend for seeing Thistle Theatre's new Show:http://www.thistletheatre.org/shows/tale_of_two_bad_mice/index.htmClay Martin is invading PLOP:http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/91354And the best Glove Puppet Pantomime I've ever seen is playing at NWPC:http://www.nwpuppet.org/

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-28869093659765943452009-10-31T10:06:00.000-07:002009-10-31T10:31:17.735-07:00Lessons Learned from Momotaro this Year

When you say you have sound stuff to sound guys, be sure to tell them if you like it or not. When you say “I’ve got a wireless headset mic.” They hear: “I must use my own mic, because I love it and you must make it happen.” When you really meant: “I’ve got a lousy cheep-o karaoke wireless headset mic that we can use if we don’t have the budget to get everyone the cool ones.” Communication…it’s

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-72597791076254475452009-09-19T09:42:00.000-07:002009-09-19T09:54:59.803-07:00Final Shows of Momotaro at the Aki Matsuri

What? Yes, I plan to build a new show next year, so this last weekend was the final time you could have seen Momotaro at the Aki Matsuri.You’ll never do Momotaro again?I’m not saying that. In fact, it looks like a group in Spokane is interested in having us perform. Also, if Sakura Con has us perform at the next one, it’ll be Momotaro because I don’t think I could have a new show up by Easter.

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-73839290041313503032009-08-28T11:02:00.000-07:002009-08-28T14:23:22.857-07:00Next Shows

This blog post will be forever updating and moving forward in time--so don't be surprised to see it over and over again.Momotaro at the Aki Matsuri at Bellevue CollegeBellevue, WADate: September 12th and 13th, 2009Time: 11:00am & 3:00pmPunch and Judy at Ye Merrie Greenwood Faire #24Richland, WADate: June 26th and 27th, 2010Time: TBD (two shows daily)

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-54578972799274349972009-08-13T21:49:00.000-07:002009-08-13T21:50:34.578-07:00How Does Your Muppet Walk?

On Tuesday, as I promised, I attended Brian Henson’s talk. It was sold out…well, members didn’t have to pay and got first dibs so I guess it wasn’t sold out…just there were no tickets left for the general public. There was a queue of hopefuls waiting outside on the off chance a member didn’t show, but I understand only 2 of them got in. I found a spot down in front…second row behind a taped off

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-47566533518012442572009-07-29T15:43:00.000-07:002009-07-29T15:45:22.646-07:00Brian Henson at the EMP/SFM

I'm going to this next (cut and paste from here):Oral History Live! "The Future of Digital Puppetry" with Brian HensonJoin us for an evening with award-winning director, producer and puppeteer Brian Henson.Brian Henson, Chairman of The Jim Henson Company, will present an overview of the history of puppetry at The Jim Henson Company. Henson will explore the different technical achievements that

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-24559754127024739612009-07-19T07:41:00.000-07:002009-07-19T07:41:56.054-07:00Friday Workshop

I just took one today. I went to the Instructional Center to learn about Italian Punch—Pulcinella…for a bit…until we all were informed that Georgia Tech had once again double booked the class room. Allow me to say that again emphasizing the key points: The Georgia Institute of TECHNOLOGY once again double booked a classroom. Now, that’s just sad, isn’t it? I mean…we do have the scheduling

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-11533857812813329122009-07-16T12:25:00.000-07:002009-07-16T15:11:25.096-07:00Thursday Workshops

My first workshop today was attended because Paper-mache is currently my favorite puppet building method to employ and I enjoy very much seeing how other people do it. It was “Lightweight Marionette Bodies using Paper Mache” by Kevin Menegus. He starts in a similar fashion to the Thistle Theatre method which I learned originally from Brian Kooser—with a Styrofoam base. He also employs only 3

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-28397495275408636092009-07-16T12:08:00.000-07:002009-07-16T12:10:48.446-07:00Wednesday’s Performances

Yesterday had a great line up of performances. However, we did not have a great scheduling of them. Who ever thought putting a show with lullaby in the name right after lunch was a good idea was…wrong. It was a lovely SHADDOW show with SOFT music, SMOOTH transitions and GENTLE colors…and as a lullaby—it sure worked on me. It was a good show too and I really wish I remembered more of it. Other

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-66349142791376882182009-07-15T14:57:00.000-07:002009-07-15T15:12:05.239-07:00Wednesday Workshops

My first workshop was with Lee Armstrong: Video 101 for Puppeteers. It was a Q&A session for how to put together a demo reel or a puppet shoot. There were many questions and many answers, but my goal was satisfied without me saying a word. I wanted to know what software people use and recommend. Lee uses Adobe Primer Pro, and others had good things to say about the slimmer version: Adobe

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-12921782380534331962009-07-15T04:33:00.000-07:002009-07-15T05:00:04.715-07:00The Opening Night of the Natl Puppetry Convention

I'm so excited! Here I am in the sweltering heat of Atlanta, GA, and I don't care in the least. Why? Because I'm at the National Puppetry Convention. Wahoo!As most opening days go, it was a lot of get here, get checked in, drag your stuff to a not-so-nearby dorm and such...finding it all easily on multiple maps of this huge campus.The Exhibit and Store are both being set up, so there's not much

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-65382267632787508752009-07-09T15:15:00.000-07:002009-07-09T15:16:57.211-07:00Will Elly blog the National Puppetry Festival?

Yes!Watch this space!It starts next Tuesday!

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-32727156419899192092009-07-07T09:54:00.000-07:002009-07-07T09:56:51.472-07:00The Puppet Box

The Puppeteers of Puget Sound have a brand new forum created by our new President, Tony.It's called The Puppet BoxThe link is :http://tonydefilipps.com/phpBB3/index.phpThe purpose, as I understand it, is to facilitate the planning of the 2010 Regional Festival which we are going to host.Yay!

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-6447482419226678612009-06-05T07:43:00.000-07:002009-06-05T07:47:37.262-07:00Joan's Hand Puppet Neck

I posted these pictures ages ago and meant to blog it! Alas. Here's the link to the set:http://www.flickr.com/photos/elly_leaverton/sets/72157617161442246/Read the descriptions under each picture for what's going on in the picture.I've refit a few of the Momotaro puppets with this neck and I must say...it's a great improvement.Joan King just recently gave me a glove puppet body pattern too.

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-88596787588167104832009-06-04T23:26:00.000-07:002009-06-10T13:12:34.755-07:00My Judy Bit

So here's a little bit of my Punch and Judy show. This was taken about 4 years ago at Greenwood Faire...this is the first crowd bright and early in the morning. First show I did that year too. BTW: Violence Guaranteed!

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-83664399659555044262009-06-04T12:03:00.000-07:002009-06-04T12:06:25.804-07:00Food Party

I just got this in my email...I don't know about you but I'm kind of intrigued by the idea of an amorous baguette...FOOD PARTY, a fantastical, food-centric series created and hosted by Brooklyn fringe artist, Thu Tran, and a motley mix of unruly puppets who serve as her culinary crew, is coming to IFC June 9 at 11:15 p.m. ET/PT. This six-part IFC Original Comedy’s hallucinatory hijinks will be

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-27954087824326195072009-05-17T13:01:00.000-07:002009-05-17T13:04:23.532-07:00Pictures up

Here's a link to my pictures from Yesterday at the Day of Puppetry for Puppeteers.http://www.flickr.com/photos/elly_leaverton/sets/72157618249819185/It was a great event and everyone performed so well! I was so pleased.

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-62277668515981538562009-05-09T12:14:00.000-07:002009-05-09T13:01:18.799-07:00Day of Puppetry for Puppeteers

I’m very excited by the up coming Day of Puppetry for Puppeteers because we will be performing Momotaro for them. This is the first time for Mylinda and Beckett, both long-time guild members, to perform for the guild and so several other guild members have told me they are looking forward to the show merely on that account. There is "gee wiz" about our show that would excite fellow puppeteers…

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-54713228012741052072009-05-05T12:17:00.000-07:002009-05-06T07:18:59.635-07:00Debut Performance of the West Cascade Puppet Brigade

First I would like to thank everyone who has helped me with the difficult task of coming up with a name, especially Joan King, Rob D’Arc, Wes Thompson, Mylinda Sneed and Frank Reinart. We have picked our name…one of the most difficult and time consuming thing I’ve ever done in Puppetry. It is “West Cascade Puppet Brigade” and the consensus of everyone I’ve told it to that it is a good name. It

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-39581842198339360972009-04-26T22:34:00.000-07:002009-04-26T22:43:48.013-07:00Help from Facebook Friends

Status Update #1: Elly Leaverton is on the bus pondering what to call her puppet groupComments:Jon BoleyLeaverton's Puppet MeanagerieElly LeavertonA good one...I'll put it on my list. Thanks.Dylan GreeneHow about "Puppets for Poppets"?Elly LeavertonWes came up with that one too. I think it's limiting...sounds like I'm aiming for a very young audience. I do perform Punch and Judy you know.Status

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-45924864954352026632009-04-25T10:17:00.000-07:002009-04-25T10:19:28.157-07:00Event Annoucement--Day of Puppetry for Puppeteers in Ballard

On May 16, 2009, the Puppeteers of Puget Sound [http://www.geocities.com/pofps/] will be hosting a Day of Puppetry for Puppeteers in Ballard.This is a day dedicated to showcasing the work of local puppeteers. Showcase performers will be announced on the website [http://www.geocities.com/pofps/] May 1, 2009.The event itself will occur at the Sunset Hill Community Club[http://

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-78637523004914530292009-04-16T23:08:00.000-07:002009-04-17T13:09:55.461-07:00Pick-up Rehearsals Have Begun

It is so difficult to “Pick-up” from where you left off on a puppet show way back in September. We must relearn lines and blocking. Also, remembering the configuration of props and puppets behind stage is a challenge. Luckily, with no fore-thought at all, I had taken “Behind the Scenes” shots of the inside of the stage and we were able to use those to re-construct the set-up. Another difficulty

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-1363493132844099492009-04-09T08:57:00.000-07:002009-04-09T09:00:17.945-07:00We are the [Fill in the Blank] Puppeteers

It is time.My Japanese folktale puppet group is getting more and more shows. I’ve been asked several times what my group is called. Heh.Right now we are called: Aki Matsuri Volunteers in association with Puppeteers of Puget Sound, a guild of the Puppeteers of America. What a mouth full! When we got to the Aki Matsuri, the schedule read “Momotaro by Elly”So I have been thinking for some time

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-80745203984969291892009-03-26T17:48:00.000-07:002009-03-26T17:56:38.428-07:00Coralline Show and Tell

At the second guild meeting of the year, Tony Defillips showed us his souvenirs from his work on the stop-motion animation movie “Coralline”. I unfortunately only had my cell phone camera with me so, the pictures aren’t the best. But if you’ve seen the movie, you’ll probably recognize a few things:The circus mice spelling her name.One of the dogs in theater chairs. One of the circus mice in a

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2643471714445727981.post-24032381223304337682009-03-10T17:55:00.000-07:002009-03-10T17:57:11.390-07:00New Officers for the Puppeteers of Puget Sound 2009!

Slate of Officers: PresidentTony DeFilippstonydefilipps@comcast.netcell 206- 940-0889 Vice- President of ProgramsJean Enticknapjme@bigplanet.comcell 239-8866 work 206 524-3388 Vice- President of MembershipAlyssa McFarlandalyssamcfarland@gmail.com 206.789.8079SecretaryMary Shaverlacopine@comcast.netcell 360-259-4419 home 425-458-6558TreasurerCheryl Handleychalice@comcast.net home 425-556-9761

elly_leavertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840834798483250672noreply@blogger.com0