I am surprised I haven’t heard anyone talking about this before.  I’ve wanted to post about it for a while now, so here is is.  Playmotion! is a company that produces a next generation videogame technology of the same name.  It allows the user to interact with a computer environment in real time.  It only makes sense to apply this to puppetry.

  I was so impressed with this puppet show that was posted on Youtube, that I just had to write about it.  It is awesome!

Contributed by Kanja

I have been a fan of Custom Puppets for a long time now and I am happy to see a great little video of their new live show is floating around the internet.  If you haven’t visted their site yet, make sure you do.  They build some great puppets.

Contributed by Kanja

I have had the chance to meet both Russ Walko (puppet builder and puppeteer for the production) and to briefy see the puppeteering of Ray Castro (another puppeteer).  This is a great little video and a lot of fun.  Super job guys!

Thanks to Kellen B. for the heads up.

Contributed by Kanja

I think Rob and Soli Joy are fantastic.  If you haven’t vistied their website yet please do.  Any parent of a young child knows the value of a great children’s enteretainer.  They write:

Contributed by Kanja

I just received and email from the director of a short video that I built the puppets for and puppeteered for.  He let me know that it was now on Youtube.  I wanted to post this on my new blog, but I am having trouble with it.  I decided to share it here.  The short was made in 2005 by Carmen Gillespie (aka Mistress of Sunshine Productions) who also puppeteered.  Enjoy.

Contributed by Kanja

Here is a great behind the scenes interview with members of the show Avenue Q. I am a fan of hearing people talk about the puppets they work with. A short but interesting clip. Enjoy.

Contributed by Kanja

Okay, so I am thinking that for someone who wants to try their hand at animatronic puppetry, but doesn’t know where to start…could Lego Mindstorms be the answer?  People who know me, know that I enjoy the challenge of thinking aoutside of the box, especially when it comes to mechanisms for puppets.  I just think that Logo Mindstorms offers a very unique application possibility.

I may just have to try it out.  Unless anyone out there wants to beat me to it.

Contributed by Kanja

Forget your spacebook and myface, there’s a new network for puppetmakers, puppeteers or just fans of puppetry.

A lot of the usual faces are already there but it looks like it could be good place to make some new contacts and learn some new things, why not pop along.

Visit Puppet Hub

Contributed by Tony

The film is called Agent Crush and it looks very interesting.  The puppets are very reminiscent of Team America, but it seems that the movie is not intended to be as silly of a comedy (but I may be wrong).  I have always been interested in the use of puppetry in dramatic or adventure film and video projects. 

To read more about it please go to their website here.  You can also see the trailer along with behind the scenes video here.

Contributed by Kanja

I have said it before and I will say it again, I am a big fan of fellow Canadian Mathieu René and his company called Créaturiste.  The thing that people may not know is that he has several blogs that he posts on and he is very generous with his discoveries and ideas.

I am putting this plug (which he knows nothing about) out for his online workshop that he is offering and to encourage others to go and see his newly posted online portfolio.  It is beautiful.

While you are there poke around and check out more of his stuff including this cool little puppet he built (among other things).

Contributed by Kanja