Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011) directed by Constance Marks
Elmo was an unpopular and misused Muppet on Sesame Street that was on his way out until he was thrown into the lap of Kevin Clash and told, "See what you can do with him." Elmo would wind up being a staple on the show for years and perhaps its most recognizable character. Clash's secret for revitalizing Elmo? The love, warmth and affection that is more about Kevin than the furry puppet on his arm. Ever since Kevin Clash was young all he wanted to do was play with puppets. Even at a young age he was able to see the transformative properties they had and their ability to light up a crowd. It was also a way for an introverted and shy kid to be able to express himself. Kevin fondly recalls making his first puppet out of his father's wool coat when he was a kid, not even thinking about what his father might say. Luckily for him, his father was understanding and simply said, "Ask next time."
Being Elmo is a feel good look into the life of Kevin Clash, renowned puppeteer, voice actor and currently co-executive producer of Sesame Street. There are no hardships, childhood traumas or abject living conditions, no villains or conflicts. It is simply the story of a man who has dedicated his life to puppets and making audiences, particularly children, laugh and learn. He retells his humble beginnings at a local Baltimore TV show and his early days with Sesame Street and his experiences with his idols Jim Henson and Frank Oz. It is a mild mannered and warm story though somewhat lacking in some of the stuff that really interested me. For instance, I would have loved for Kevin to have given a detailed lesson on how to control a puppet or some of the other technical aspects of what he does. It's clear though that he is great at what he does, but I would like a better understanding of why. Perhaps that is something that cannot be explained in a handbook or training video. Perhaps his genius doesn't come from years of training, but rather years of love and care for his craft. Few people come across as genuinely likable as Kevin Clash and it shows off in his work. Elmo is so warm and loving only because Kevin is.
Grade: B-
Elmo was an unpopular and misused Muppet on Sesame Street that was on his way out until he was thrown into the lap of Kevin Clash and told, "See what you can do with him." Elmo would wind up being a staple on the show for years and perhaps its most recognizable character. Clash's secret for revitalizing Elmo? The love, warmth and affection that is more about Kevin than the furry puppet on his arm. Ever since Kevin Clash was young all he wanted to do was play with puppets. Even at a young age he was able to see the transformative properties they had and their ability to light up a crowd. It was also a way for an introverted and shy kid to be able to express himself. Kevin fondly recalls making his first puppet out of his father's wool coat when he was a kid, not even thinking about what his father might say. Luckily for him, his father was understanding and simply said, "Ask next time."
Being Elmo is a feel good look into the life of Kevin Clash, renowned puppeteer, voice actor and currently co-executive producer of Sesame Street. There are no hardships, childhood traumas or abject living conditions, no villains or conflicts. It is simply the story of a man who has dedicated his life to puppets and making audiences, particularly children, laugh and learn. He retells his humble beginnings at a local Baltimore TV show and his early days with Sesame Street and his experiences with his idols Jim Henson and Frank Oz. It is a mild mannered and warm story though somewhat lacking in some of the stuff that really interested me. For instance, I would have loved for Kevin to have given a detailed lesson on how to control a puppet or some of the other technical aspects of what he does. It's clear though that he is great at what he does, but I would like a better understanding of why. Perhaps that is something that cannot be explained in a handbook or training video. Perhaps his genius doesn't come from years of training, but rather years of love and care for his craft. Few people come across as genuinely likable as Kevin Clash and it shows off in his work. Elmo is so warm and loving only because Kevin is.
Grade: B-
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