Puppet Buzz just got a “call” on the buzzline from Carmelo Hernando in Barcelona, Spain with clips of four great puppet plays done with traditional hand puppets from El Gran Teatro de Maese Travieso. The plays are in Spanish with English subtitles. I thought these shorts were excellent examples of taking traditional, familiar stories and telling them in a new and interesting way for the audience.

The Arabian Nights
Little Ridding Hood
Don Juan Of All Hells
The Encyclopedia of Enlightment

You can also check out Carmelo’s website - hernandoshideaway.es.

Thanks for sharing, Carmelo!

In 2004 there was a puppetshow on Swedish television during Christmas that was called Höjdarna - The Hotshots in english. I was doing a Google search for Petter Lennstrand, a talanted puppeteer/puppetbuilder from Sweden, and I came across a photo gallery from the set of Höjdarna. I thought I’d post the gallery for you here. Click here to go to the gallery.

dotBoom is a web-based show with puppets, about a website development firm in Toronto, Canada. I find it simply hilarious, and cutting edge. Brian Hogg, the Writer, Director and Producer of dotBoom is searching for the following positions to fill:

dotBoom Press Agent: To assist with the promotion of dotBoom.

dotBoom executive assistant camera/level monitor/what’s the next shot is next person…basically a helping hand.

If you are available to work on a volunteer basis, live in the Kitchener or gthereater Kitchener area. Let Brian Hogg know at: brian@dotboom.ca

Paul Louis with PuppetsNStuff has posted several puppet videos on YouTube. They have two wonderful characteristics…they’re fun and they’re free. Check it out.

You may remember a recent PuppetBuzz posting with a link to Paul’s how-to videos on ExpertVillage.

When I first started looking into puppetry seriously about six years ago, I came across a local organization called the OPA (Ontario Puppetry Association). They are an organization that supports puppetry and people involved in puppetry throughout the province of Ontario (Canada). It is a great way for any aspiring puppeteer, puppet builder or puppet enthusiast to make connections with reputable puppet people in Ontario.

For anyone interested, they are having their annual general meeting this November.

There are not many people who haven’t been touched by Sesame Street at one point or another in their lives.  Well, the original early episodes have now been release on DVD.  This summer I was fortunate enough to visit the set of Sesame Street and I was flooded with memories and inspiration. Inspiration can be a puppet builder/puppeteer’s best tool at times.

I plan on getting this DVD set, if for nothing else, at least for pure enjoyment.  But there is much more to be gained.  The early episodes were a totally different format than what is on television now.  They were originally a series of shorts that ran for the length of the episode.  Also, there was a tremendious amount of creative energy and puppet/animation/live action artistic experimentation that went on.  Much of it as a result of it being the 70’s and a time that encouraged “alternative thinking”.

The result is a very interesting and enjoyable experience.  For anyone looking for a trip down “memory lane” or for a little puppetry inspiration, I would recommend reading this review and considering picking up Sesame Street Old School Volume 1.

I came across Jef Mallet’s comic strip Frazz by accident while surfing the internet about a year ago and have been a devoted reader since. Although there has been some comparison (and criticism) of Mallet’s characters to those of Bill Watterson the writing is exceptional in its content and scope. (Read this interview with Jef.)

Frazz is a simple guy, down to earth, well-read and sees life a journey. He takes joy from physical and mental exercise and challenges people to envision life beyond the status quo. Frazz is a polymath.

I want to be like Frazz. (Don’t misinterpret this: I want to be the best “Ben” I can. It’s the only thing I’m really qualified to do.) I have many things in common with Frazz: cycling, running and reading, but I want to become a Renaissance man? I want to begin enjoying life on a deeper level and rid myself of the self-inflicted stress associated with daily life. I want to expand knowledge about philosophy, sociology, logic, arts and music. I want to grow as a person.

I am reminded of the words of Abigail Adams: Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence. I’m encouraging you to learn something new today and apply it to your life. (Wow! From Jef Mallet to Abigail Adams in four paragraphs.)

Stepladder Productions and Flaming Rabbit Games presents Skitzo The Rabbit. It is a disturbing piece of horror puppetry and animation that recalls early expressionist German filmmaking with bold, noirish cinematography and character design. Inspired by the Judderman Metz commercials and Tim Burton’s stop motion films, Skitzo is a memorable and haunting fairy tale, not for the faint of heart.

There’s a new Guru in town. Through his BLOG (and Youtube) Puppetji makes clear all the questions in life. I believe it is a little P.I. (Politically Incorrect), but you be the judge. This new series was produced by SPRANGLE PRODUCTIONS, they have had their hand in many productions, and are very talented.

Duck Walks Into A Bar was created by Kevin Susman & James Murray. The show is divided into short films and follows the lead character (DUCK), who is in the pursuit of “booze, babes & free drinks”. DUCK also wants anyone who is a bartender to contact him and they will shoot a episode in your bar for free. Check out the videos on Youtube HERE.