Jason Segel has revealed to the world that he is in Pre-Production of a new Muppet movie- here is the latest interview from/film!

When we reported last week that Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nick Stoller and writer/star Jason Segel had signed on to develop the next Muppet movie, I speculated that these would be the guys to get it right (”The early Muppet films were absolutely genius, but the last few failed due to an attempt to dumb down the plot/jokes to appeal to young viewers”). Segel spoke with MTV, and his views seemed to mirror my early thoughts.

“I’ve just grown a little disappointed with ‘Muppets in the Old West,’ ‘Muppets Under Water,’ and all these weird concept movies. I just want to go take it back to the early 80’s, when it was about the Muppets trying to put on a show. That’s what I’m trying to bring back,” said Segel, who also wants to bring back the big name cameos of the earlier films. “All of our friends that I’ve brought it up to are pretty excited by the prospect of it. Everyone loves the Muppets; they’ve got a warm place in most people’s hearts. We want a lot of cameos. You look back at Charles Grodin, Charles Durning, there were just such great performances in those movies.” “We’ve got a great plot. I think if we can execute it right, it will be terrific. But I can’t tell you more - it’s top secret.

When asked if he plans to star as the lead human role in the new film, Segel admitted “We haven’t figured that out yet. Right now, we’re just focused on trying to turn in an amazing script.” Segel would only say that the plot would focus on Kermit the Frog (duh). And if Segel has not yet convinced you that he might have the vision to make the next big muppet film, I think this next quote will:

“I remember thinking that Kermit was the original Tom Hanks - he was the everyman for a kid. I remember watching Kermit and thinking ‘That’s what I want to do when I grow up.’ I don’t think I realized he was a puppet.”

One of the fey factors of the original muppet movies was that the muppets were treated like normal people in the real world, and I think Jason gets that. The later films focused on Muppets being part of these magical fantasy worlds (be it Pirates, Oz, or Treasure Island).

Calgary’s indie-rocking chanteuse, Leslie Feist, is home this week creating her next music video with fellow-Calgary artists, The Old Trout Puppet Workshop.

Feist is combining with them to create her next video, which will be directed by Anthony Seck.

This isn’t Feist’s first experience working with puppets.

“I’ve always been fascinated by puppetry,” says the Calgary native who once worked as a singer/dancer/rapper/sock puppeteer with singer Peaches.

I don’t know about you, but I am a personal fan of all of the hard work that The Cheap Show creator Michael Paraskevas has done with this puppet series.  I think there is much that can be learned for his “keep it simple” approach.  I for one am planning on using some of his logic to creating more of my own video projects.

 Well, The Cheap Show has just updated their website and we are honuored to see that Michael has linked directly to Puppet Buzz.   Thanks so much Michael and keep up the great work!

This is another late post, but here is a picture from the film shoot in Toronto, Canada of Mike Myers’ new film called The Love Guru.

Thanks to movie magic man, Ron Stefaniuk with referral by puppet master Frank Meschkuleit (Fraggle Rock, Follow That Bird), puppeteer Michael Ziegfeld was given the opportunity to assist on the shoot for gag props, FX and puppets for the film. 

Ziegfeld said, “This was my first opportunity to work on anything on such a large scale and budget from life size elephant and ostrich puppets, to creating ‘body flossing’  in the mouth and out the a**, and a yoga moment-gone-wrong when it actually looks like Mike has pushed his head up his own a**!”.

It sounds like another funny Mike Myers film.  I look forward to seeing this one when it comes out in theatres.  Who says puppetry is just for kids.

My apologies for this late post.   I have been interested in toy theatre and I regret not being able to attend this workshop. 

I hope that interested people can still enjoy the workshop (even if they are late in joining).

THE TORONTO SCHOOL OF PUPPETRY

Invites you to participate in the

Toy Theatre Course

Saturday afternoons, February 2, 9, 16 & 23

12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

At Puppetmongers’ Studio 1110 Dundas Street East (at Logan )

COSTS: $200, plus $50 materials fee = $250

In this weekend course you will design and build your own miniature theatre, sets, puppets and props.

Come and discover how to stage vast productions on a shoe-string budget!

Come and find out why this antique form of puppetry is currently undergoing such a theatrical revival in Europe and the USA.

For more information please visit http://www.puppetmongers.com/schoolcourses_toytheatre.html

I am a big fan of people who “do”.  Especially when it comes to puppets.  Here is a great example of that.  Mr. Furry Fur Fur is a pilot children’s show concept that looks to teach children about the environment.  Produced by Ingaldson-Smith Productions and featuring puppets made by Furry Puppet, this is a classic example of people setting out to make a show and not just talking about it.

 If you are curious to learn more about Mr. Furry Fur Fur then be sure to check out the website and to see videos you can check out their videos page or their Youtube channel.

Speaking of German puppets, I came across a wonderful collection of videos on Youtube for a German kids show called Hallo Spencer created by Winfried Debertin and produced from 1979 until 2001.  I don’t speak German, but I really enjoy watching the puppets, sets and camera framing used.  If you understand German then these will be a treat for you.  If you don’t you can enjoy them the way I did, for how they look.

Check out the awasome Youtube Channel called OinkramProductions that has a ton for videos for you to enjoy.

So for those of you who don’t know, a Puppet Slam is when a bunch of people get together to try out experiemental puppetry in front of others. The themes are often “adult” and they are generally not intended for children. Toronto will be having one soon and I will make every attempt to be there.

Some of the performers will include (and the list is currently growing):

David Powell (Puppetmongers)
Jamie Ashby and Grey Muldoon (PuppUTopiate)
Lisa Pijuan-Nomura (GirlCanCreate)
Joel Brubacher (Banjo Puppets)
Dahlia Katz (draft89)
Helen Androlia (Fiat Ars Theatre)
Ann McDougall (Tinderbox Theatre)
Jamie Shannon (The Grogs: CBC’s Nanalan’, Mr. Meaty)
Michelle Gram
Beth Washburn
Madison Cripps (Strings Attached Marionettes, USA)
Meghan Thompson

Time and Place Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Puppetmongers studio theatre
Street: 1110 Dundas East (at Logan)
City/Town: Toronto, ON

So come on out if you would like, admission is $10.00 at the door.

I can say that Jamie Shannon and Todd Doldersum are two of the many talented puppeteers I have met who have puppeteered for the preschool show Nanalan’.  There was a special day when Jamie’s own Nana (who was the inspiration for the show) came on set.  This song was written for her and performed with two of the show’s puppets.

 There is a great part where the camera pulls back and you can see Jamie and Todd performing. 

Enjoy.  Oh and Happy New Year everyone!

Okay, I love puppets.  Yes.  And although I am not always a big fan of ranchy humour I can always appreciate well made puppets and well made puppet videos.  I had a chance to watch a new online puppet series called *Time Suck.  It is definately not for children (*adult language and themes).  It may not be to the tastes of all but I quite enjoyed it.  The production value was very good, and especially liked the dog puppet (it was very well made).

The video series was made by Brooklyn based prodcution company Charged and included a familiar name in the puppeteers credits.  James Wojtal was listed as one of the puppeteers.  James is a fellow puppet builder and puppeteer and it is nice to see familiar names attached to projects that I have enjoyed.  I will definately keep tabs on the series and I look forward to more updates in the near future.

A big thanks to Alex for the heads up.