Monday Song - Lust For Life - Iggy Pop

I'M WORTH A MILLION IN PRIZES!

And with this Monday Song... I'm gonna retire them for a bit, unless a song really hits me!

Prince Album of The Week - Graffiti Brigde

Monday Song - Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy Bing Crosby and David Bowie

All I Need Is Love...

With Subtitles!
Hahaha!

Bonus Prince Album of the Week - Scandalous! EP

These guys need a comeback...

Prince Album of The Week - Batman

Monday Song - Main Street Eyes- Iggy Pop

"The Wandering"

On a normal day I wouldn't premiere an Elmwood Productions film on my personal blog.

But this isn't a normal day, and it hasn't been a normal year.

We started our Ten Years Of Elmwood celebrations in March.  And we'll be wrapping them up in March of 2013, with the premiere screening of Animal Behavior at Paris In Plantsville.

When we shot the movie "Josh and Todd: The Story of A Man and His Puppet" we had an extended sequence in it that was cut even before we started filming about Todd's brief life when he was homeless.  A small part stayed in (all the funny stuff) but I never forgot about the other ideas.  When we were putting together songs for the film this one song Russ found and we used for the homeless part struck me, moved me.  And I wanted to make a video.  I asked my friend and then room-mate Jordan to play the lead.  And he was all for it, he was after all one of the first people to see "Josh and Todd" and he loved it.  The we postponed the shoot a year, waiting till the following fall.

And Jordan passed away this summer, before we had a chance to make the video...

With all the joy and madness Elmwood has brought me and my lovely friends and family who are involved and support it, and all the fun we have making our comedies...  Sometimes it gets serious.  And it sucks.  A lot.

Sometimes out of that though, you pull through, no matter how hard it hurts your heart and brain, and you get back out there and make the funny again.  And we have been.  We've been cracking each other up.  This has been my favorite year in the history of Elmwood, we have kicked so much ass...

But for a moment - we get serious...

Prince Album of The Week - Lovesexy

Monday Song - Who Wants To Live Forever - Queen

Prince Album of The Week - The Black Album

Old Lyrics - Rock Says Dream

Rock Says Dream

It's a place that you
Don't care to be
Some place I go to
Try and find me

So I sit next to a rock
Written on it - dream
You've made me realize I have
A place in this world
Somewhere to start finding my peace

It's not something that
Can happen over-nite
Months and years aren't
Even quick
But if we run away without a fight
We're giving up too easily

Monday Song - Cry Over Me - Meat Loaf

Prince Album of the Week - Sign 'O' The Times

Monday Song - I'm Afraid Of Americans - David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails

Prince Album of The Week - Parade

Monday Song - Something - Frank Sinatra

Sinatra doing George Harrison's classic...
This song always makes me think of Brie, lucky to have her!

Prince Album of the Week - Around the World In A Day

Still None Of Our Business - But Glad The Truth Is Out

So can Kevin go back to his amazing and important work now?

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-international/Elmo-Accuser-Retracts-Sexual-Misconduct-Allegations-179189481.html


And now...  Some joy or your day!

Old Lyrics - Trouble Girl

TROUBLE GIRL

SO YOU’VE DECIDED NOT TO BREAK DOWN WITH ME,
YOU’RE GONNA LET GO OF THE GUNS.
YOU WANNA STAY WHERE YOU ARE NOW,
AND NOT COME HOME TO ME.
DOES THAT MAKE YOU THE LUCKY ONE?

GOOD-BYE, TROUBLE GIRL
HAVE A GREAT LIFE WHILE YOU CAN.
GOOD-BYE TROUBLE GIRL
JUST DON’T FORGET I WAS ALMOST YOUR MAN.

SO NOW I LAY HERE IN THIS BED
WHERE LESS THAN A WEEK AGO
YOU LOOKED UP AT MY EYES AND SAID
“I want you to make love to me”
I CAN STILL HEAR IT IN MY HEAD.

GOOD-BYE, TROUBLE GIRL
I HOPE YOU’RE HAVIN’ A GOOD TIME WHILE YOU CAN.
GOOD-BYE, TROUBLE GIRL
FOR A WHILE I WAS CLOSE TO BEING YOUR MAN.

WELL, SINCE I’M THIS OLD AT HEART,
AND YOU’RE NOT SURE WHO YOU ARE,
WE’RE BETTER OFF KEEPING AWAY FROM EACH OTHER.
AND YOU’RE HAPPY WHERE YOU ARE.
ALL I GOT OUT OF US IS THIS SONG.

GOOD-BYE, TROUBLE GIRL
STAY YOUNG FOR AS LONG AS YOU CAN.
GOOD-BYE, TROUBLE GIRL
YOU’RE GONNA REGRET I WAS NEVER YOUR MAN

GOOD-BYE, TROUBLE GIRL
DON’T GIVE UP. LIVE AS LONG AS YOU CAN.
GOOD-BYE, TROUBLE GIRL
THERE’S SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO WANTS ME TO BE HER ONE AND ONLY MAN.

None of Our Business...

In the past 25 minutes I have gotten 20 emails and too many texts to count about this Kevin Clash scandal/debacle...

Innocent Until Proven Guilty...

He admits to a relationship with this man, an adult relationship.  And denies doing anything with him as a minor.  I believe him.  Mr. Clash is not a fool.
I don't care if he's gay, straight, bi-sexual, or into aliens from space.  That's his thing.  Sexual orientation has nothing to do with his talent and his ability to teach and bring joy as Elmo and other characters.  And a leave of absence is not admitting guilt, it's the smart and professional thing to do while the lawyers sort it out. 

This is all I will say about it.  If you want more information please use this link -
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/our-blog/2012/11/12/sesame-workshops-statement-regarding-kevin-clash/

...  6:30 PM Update to this post:

Kevin Clash has issued a statement saying,"I am a gay man. I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it, but felt it was a personal and private matter. I had a relationship with the accuser. It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to characterize it as something other than what it was. I am taking a break from Sesame Workshop to deal with this false and defamatory allegation."



Good for you Mr. Clash, keep your head up and keep your heart strong.

Monday Song - Living in America - James Brown

Jackie's Show! At Paris In Plantsville!

THIS SATURDAY NITE!

That's right...  TOMMORROW!!!

Here's all the details from Paris In Plantsville's Facebook Event Page:

Paris In Plantsville is proud to host

"Abandoned and Restored: 

New Photographic Work by Jacquelyn Etling"

opening November 10, 2012 at 7:00 PM.
Jacquelyn Etling is an award winning photographer who has traveled extensively in both Europe and the United States photographing the natural and man made worlds. She is a member of the Pleiades Gallery in Chelsea N, New York and numerous arts organizations including the Salmagundi Club. Her work has been exhibited throughout the US including in the New Britian Museum of Art in CT, the Edward Hopper House in Nyack, NY, and the New York Hall of Science.

The show will be on view from November 10th through November 30. We will be having an opening reception November 10th from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
We hope you will join us then!

Puppet Movie News (non-Elmwood stuff!)

So the ALF movie is a go at Sony...
But a CGI/Live Action mix?

I hope that means they will be using CGI to enhance the film, and not rely on it for ALF himself...
That would be a shame and insult.

Muppets 2 is still on it's way, with Bret McKenzie just signing on to write the music and talks of Christoph Waltz as a villain!

And after 7 years in development The Henson Company is still plugging at a Fraggle Rock movie (but not on a Dark Crystal sequel - thankfully) and last month announced new writers (the guys who wrote Rango!), kinda sad to see they aren't going with Cory Edwards anymore...

G@mrz!

Episode 1: The New Guy

Don't Eat Yellow Snow...

Congrats Mr. President on the win!

But if he were alive - I would have voted for Frank Zappa!

Hey Americans...

Don't Forget to Vote!

Monday Song - Underground - David Bowie

Jerry

Here's a look at the Jerry Nelson puppet that was on display last weekend at 

The Museum of the Moving Image...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Building burn, people die, but real love is forever...

  I'm sure YouTube will block or delete this at some point...In the Meantime:
HAPPY DEVIL'S NIGHT!

Monday Song - Big Empty - Stone Temple Pilots

"Brothers"

Yesterday Mike and I went to Astoria to the Museum of the Moving Image to attended a tribute to Jerry Nelson.
Mr. Nelson passed away earlier this year, and this event was filled with joy, some tears, a suprise visit from Snuffy, and some laughs.
Since less than 300 people were there I feel like we got to be part of something rare, something beautiful...

Instead of telling you every little detail, I'm just going to share a video of Jerry as one of my favorite characters; Emmet Otter...

No one should live in sorrow, ask all your friends...

 Been on a Gn'R kick lately...   This post is for a friend...

King Tiki Tiki's Shack of Amazement!

Well...

"You can't always get whatcha want"

Old Lyrics - Beautiful Pallet

Beautiful Pallet

Don't hate me
Is what I had to say to her
What's my choice
Cradle it again
I wanna live in you, my
Crazy-train
I know you're not using me
So come and join the beautiful pallet

Can't get over me
The Hell you say
You man's over there
Not far away
I know I'm fun
Get that mess
Outta your head
And letitgo and join my beautiful pallet

You know I'm in love you you...

Suspended deep in a sea of black...

Monday Song - Sour Girl - Stone Temple Pilots

Real Vampires...

The OTHER Muppet movie from 2011...

"Being Elmo"

I realized this morning I never even really mentioned this amazing movie here yet...

Much like "The Muppets" that came out last year and brought the most famous puppets back to the big screen, there was also "Being Elmo"...

A much smaller film, with a bigger heart though.

The film documents puppeteer Kevin Clash's career and is simply inspirational.  It's one of those little movies I keep re-watching for a smile...

Old Lyrics - The Best Hooker In Town

The Best Hooker In Town

I was only 13 years old
And didn't know how to do,
How to do those things they say
Make a man out of you

So a few friends of mine
Who were a little older than me
Took me to see a woman
And paid to make a man out of me
She said: "I can be your baby tonite,
Or maybe two.
Don't worry 'cuz I don't bite.
Unless you want me to."

She was the best hooker in town
She spun my teenage world around and round
The best hooker in town
She knew I'd never done it before, and showed me all around

It's been ten years since then,
I'm going gray at 23
Was at a diner the other nite
After 3 AM

And a friend of mine pointed out a waitress
Who had been staring at me
Discreetly I looked over
And her head turned away from me

And I heard those words in my head:

"I can be your baby tonite
Or maybe two.
Don't worry 'cuz I don't bite
Unless you want me to."

She was the best hooker in town
And there she was filling drunken college boys coffee
She was the best hooker in town
But she's got bills to pay, and the world keeps spinnin' around

Monday Song # 2

Monday Song - Charlie Big Potato

Ash... Hail to the King!

EVIL DEAD TRILOGY - TONITE AT PARIS IN PLANTSVILLE!

Shop smart, shop S-Mart...

TOMORROW NITE AT PARIS IN PLANTSVILLE:

THE EVIL DEAD TRILOGY!!!

My all time favorite horror movie series all in one nite - more info here

Monday Song - It's Can't Rain All The Time - Jane Sibbery

Monday Song - It's So Easy - Guns N' Roses

SATNITE!!!! G@mrz World Premier @ Paris in Plantsville 9/29!!!

This is gonna be AWESOME!!!!

Not only is Elmwood showing our new web-series in it's entirety but you can come hang out with us all day and play games!!!

Paris In Plantsville is proud to continue with hosting the Ten Year Celebration of Elmwood Productions with a screening of our new web-series "G@mrz" on September 29th 2012!

Doors open at 7:00 PM and the screening begins at 8:00.
"G@mrz" is rated PG-13

...

"G@mrz" is a series that chronicles the weekly attempts of four friends to sit down and run a role-playing game, often with disastrous results.

As with all our screenings it's free! But we do appreciate donations to Paris in Plantsville. Your donations help events like this keep happening!@

And before the screening From 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM Elmwood Productions and Jim Williams are hosting a day of gaming! Board Games, Card Games, and more will be available, and we invite you to bring a game of your own.

Scheduled Games include:
Talisman
Apples to Apples
Munchkin
The Jim Williams Star Wars Trivial Pursuit Challenge
Magic the Gathering
Hide and Seek
and many more...

There will be raffles, refreshments, and a lot of general frivolity involved. Bring a friend!
for more information on the gaming please use this link -
http://www.facebook.com/events/343693829050403/

Monday Song - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Monday Song - Kiss From A Rose

Old Lyrics - Bill On The Street

Bill On The Street

They say let the system work for you
And it's gone, don't let it
Affect you
It'll all flip over

Within ten days you'll have it all
Within five more it'll all be gone
Hollywood is calling me (you)

Burnt out all the options
And transactions that could
Affect you
It'll all be over

Within ten days you'll have it all
Within five more it'll all be gone
Hollywood is killing me (us)

The lights are as bright as
They said they should be
Pretty girls full of plastic
Pretty boys full of plastic
All paid for with plastic
And I'm no ecstatic

The machine runs smooth for you
Gears well oiled, all is cool
L.A. sunset reminds me of you
Now, it's over

Within ten days I'm going home
Within five days I'll be on my own
Hollywood tried to kill us.

Prince Album of the Week - Purple Rain

Monday Song - Lucky

Complicity...

A Monday Morning Song...  On a Sunday Evening...

Prince Album of the Week - 1999

Old Lyrics - This Is The Best Day of My Life

This Is The Best Day Of My Life

When I woke up this mornin’ I fell outta bed
This is the best day of my life
When I got dressed I ripped o hole in my pants
This is the best day of my life
Ready for work, get in my car, outta gas
This is the best day of my life
Late for work, I take the bus, someone stole my wallet
This is the best day of my life
My boss tells me to go home, I’m fired
This is the best day of my life
When I get home my girlfriend calls to tell me she’s pregnant
This is the best day of my life
And the baby isn’t mine
This is the best day of my life
I dump her, she tells me to drop dead
This is the best day of my life
At night I go out dancing, I break my leg
This is the best day of my life
Ambulance comes, the driver is drunk
This is the best day of my life
It hits a truck, and goes up in flames
This is the best day of my life
I jump from the fire and fall in a ditch
This is the best day of my life

There is a suitcase in the ditch, I open it up, it’s full of cash, millions, I limp to a hospital, get fixed up, go home, keep the money and live rich forever
I told you
This is the best day of my life

Monday Song - Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

For Michael...

Happy Labor Day!

Don't forget...  It's LAbor Day so support the MDA!!!

 

MDA Show of Strength

Prince Album of The Week - Controversy

So just beat it! Just beat it!

Jerry Nelson 1934-2012

G@MRZ!!! Yay!!!

We made a series of shorts last year and this year about a group of role playing game freaks called "G@mrz"...

And before we post them all online and put out the eventual DVD we're premiering it at Paris In Plantsville on 9/29!

This series is special to me.  It's the first time in Elmwood history I sat on the sidelines...

I didn't wirte it or direct it, or produce it...  Hell, I was only an additional puppeteer!  Not ven a lead.  It was a nice break too...

All I did was make the puppets. 

So who did all the hard work?

Jim Williams, that's who.  

And he should be proud.  He made some funny shit.

And since we're celebrating Elmwood's Tenth still, it's the perfect time to release this on you...

I hope you come to see it September 29!

More info HERE!

and here's the trailer - Enjoy!

Prince Album of The Week - Dirty Mind

Monday Song - You Look So Fine

My new theme song....

Happy Birthday Jordan! - Sweet Dreams

8/17- Tomorrow is Black Cat Day!!!

Shout out to my three black cats!
Tugger, Ripper, and the new one - Blue!
Everyone celebrate tomorrow!!!
And thanks to Brian for letting me know about this awesome holiday!  Hahaha!

Prince Album of the Week - Prince

Old Lyrics - Circus Lights

CIRCUS LIGHTS

Now here I am, a clown once again,
In the three ring circus of life.
On the stage, alive, flying solo.
With a tear in my eye.

You raped my soul
And left me in Beachland Park.
Under a tree by a pond.
I sat there four hours, piecing it together,
And taking it back apart.

I’m in the park, juggling hearts,
Under the circus lights.

Brothers forever, no matter.
What went wrong?
Still you abandoned me as I begged to be free.
A prince once said;
“some things are better left unsaid, and some people are better left untrusted”,
I should’ve known that would pertain to all of you.

Now it’s raining on my parade.
And all my friends are on cocaine.
I’ve been tripping (on the telephone cord)
Day and night, day and night,
I’m in the park, juggling hearts
Under the circus lights.

Fate has its way with every man.
Even the clowns to be.

I’ve seen the big top come down
On my best friend too soon.
The three rings became two.
One is still empty,
In the other is me.

Now its raining on my parade.
All my friends are on cocaine.
I’ve been tripping (on the telephone cord)
Day and night, day and night,
I’m in the park juggling hearts
Under the circus lights.

Have you ever really seen a clown cry?
Have you ever really looked into my eyes?

Monday Morning Song - Fly Away - Poe

"It makes sense that it should happen this way"
The words of others keep spinning in my head...
In Charles Dickens' book A Christmas Carol Bob Cratchett describes life as a series of comings and goings.
This building (Paris In Plantsville), much like Dickens' vision of England in that book, is a series of comings and goings.  Every few weeks we are lucky enough to see so many faces and so much art come through the doors.  And then just as fast as they came in - they fly out.
This is the same as Bob Cratchett's life.  Tiny Tim, his son, flew in and flew out in a whirlwind of joy and a devastating heartbreak.  Both at the same time.
I am not comparing our lost brother to the child Tiny Tim.  As wild and as childish as he was at times, it was part of his charm.
I once heard it said that the body is just a shell.  A prison that holds your soul in and contains you.  What you do with that shell and how you create yourself - invent yourself - re-invent yourself - re-create yourself - that is what makes a shell what we remember.
But there is so much more.
Once we are released from that shell, then, then is is really time to fly.
"Take what you've got and fly with it"
Bukowski, Burroughs, Kerouak, and Dr. Suess must have needed a new creative partner.  Selfish bastards.

"Fly away."

 

Behind the Scenes...

Last official day of shooting for Elmwood Puppets' "Animal Behavior" 6/27/12

Two of the coolest things ever...

Prince Album of The Week - For You

Monday Song - I Wanna Be Your Dog - The Stooges

ALF!

Yesterday I posted about a new Sesame Street movie, and mentioned how all the puppet films coming from studios were Henson related, and how it would be great to see more out of that world...

Well out of that world we may get - ALF's got a movie coming too!

I hope!

The New Haven Register had this article a couple months ago, and I missed it too:

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2012/06/15/entertainment/doc4fda56d78c6f0120838635.txt 

Let's hope this is a great beginning!  I love ALF!

Sesame Street 3!

I was on Puppeteers of America's website this morning and saw in the news that there is a new Sesame Street movie in the works.  I was announced in June, and some how I missed that!  SO did PoA, so I don't feel so bad.  Let's hope this puppetry on film trend keeps rolling...  "The Muppets", "Being Elmo", and word on a new Sesame Street flick, Fraggle Rock, and Muppets 2 all happening in the next year or so is great!  

Hopefully the studios and powers that be will branch away from the fantastic creations of The Muppetland and try out some new things too!

And I vote for a Bert and Ernie themed movie!

25 Years ago

25 Years ago I was twelve. I was listening to alot of pop music and oldies... Then I heard "Welcome To The Jungle" on WCCC right after a Queen song. It terrified me and I loved it... Guns N' Roses release Appetite For Destruction summer 1987, and my life changed forever. By fall 1988 I was obsessed with them (ask anyone who knew me from 1988-1992) and to this day still love what Axl and his freakshow continue to do.

Last summer...

Last summer I did a stop motion workshop in West Hartford...  The video I got to make with the super talented Julie is HERE...  The awesome people who ran the workshop also posted this cool behind the scenes video...

Calm...

Thanks Mike for the awesome graphic!

So a month off from most internet interactions...  Still hit up the ol' Faceplant a bit though...  Went to the beach for a weekend, worked on a ton of puppets and scripts and now getting back into the swing of it all...

And yes, like the rest of the world I saw Batman.  I liked it. 

So up next...  I'll be still cranking out puppets, and look for many to be posted here as I go and the Monday Song kicks back in this coming Monday.  Elmwood is prepping up DVD's of Steve the Vampire, Josh and Todd, and more, so that's been a ton of fun, I'm also gonna start trying to do some sort of update here daily.  Just cuz I want to!

Steve The Vampire Meets Dracula

Taking a break... See you in August!!!

I'm taking a little summer vacation for the world of online life...

I'll be back in August...  

With PUPPETS and more madness!!!

Monday Song - Roses - Outkast

Monday Song - A.C.D.C. - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Monday Song - Hey - Red Hot Chili Peppers

31 Years... Straight From The Tube

Old Lyrics - Broken

BROKEN

I’m so tired
And I can’t keep my eyes
Open
I’m so angry
But I can’t remember
Why
I’m so scared
I’m not allowed to let my fear
Show

When I’m down and out
I feel like my mind is broken
And I don’t give a fuck
About what you have to say
I don’t wanna hear it today.

I’m so happy
But I can’t let my face
Smile
I’m so beaten
And I can’t keep the bruises
Hidden
I’m so sad
And I can’t keep the tears
Inside of me

And when I’m sick of everything
I feel like my mind is broken
Don’t need that shit anymore
Don’t wanna see you today

I’m so hyper
But I can’t get over
Active
I’m so horny
And alone in this
Room
I’m so bored and there’s nothin’ left
To do
I’m so loving
And people don’t see me for
What I am
I feel so useless
Because there is nothing I can do
Without help from you

When I feel the whole world is morbid
I feel like my mind is broken
Can’t make decisions anymore
Don’t wanna live today.

We The People: People's Choice Juried Show

Coming to Paris In Plantsville!


We The People: People's Choice Juried Show

How It Works:
Every Man, Woman & Child entering the Gallery on July 7th will be handed a voting ballot. Voting will take place all day or their favorite work of art. The vote's will be tallied and the winner will be announced at 10 p.m. July 7th as the Presidential winner, and take home a cash prize.

Submission Info:
-$10 per entry
-As many entries as you want! 
-Work will be submitted June 28,29,30 during regular gallery hours 12-8 p.m.
-At the closing of the show, work must be picked up Aug 1,2,3

Celebrate Democracy at it's finest! Every vote matters! and everyone has a chance to have a voice! Hope you can join us!

Can You Feel The Rain? Music Video

Old Lyrics - Can You Feel The Rain?

Can You Feel The Rain?

Sitting here with my head on this dusty table,
My voice is tired from yelling with you.
What I’d give for one night of your tender kisses,
But now I find it hard to believe
That we had it all and you were all that I’d need,
And I didn’t even get to kiss your heart good-bye.

I just don’t understand anymore,
What the Hell are we fighting for?
Can you feel the rain in your hair?
If not then please let me be.

Tonight you’re out and I haven’t a clue what you’re up to.
I’m trying to sleep, but still thinking of you.
You’re constantly wasted, and I’m always high.
I’m trying so hard not to break down and cry,
So I lie on my back and try to forget about you.
I feel so alone I don’t what is let to do.

I just don’t understand anymore,
What the Hell are we fighting for?
Can you feel the rain in you hair?
If not then please just let me be.

Now the brunette’s on top and I’m out of my head,
You’re with another man in our bed.
And it’s funny how we don’t,
We don’t give a damn.

I just don’t understand anymore,
What the Hell are we fighting for?
Can you feel the rain in you hair?
If not then please
Just let me be.

Monday Song - Hideous Mutant Freekz - Axion Funk AKA P-Funk and Friends

Steve the Vampire Episode Four

Old Lyrics - The Amanda Song

The Amanda Song
(Not Based On A True Joke)

She came to my apartment
To change her pants she said.
Her boyfriend was at the bar,
Or was it work?
I forgot what she said.

Another beauty in my bathroom
I'm sitting on my couch
I can't explain what happened
It always seems to happen

Work work work
Most awkward Monday ever
We don't even make eye contact
Most awkward Monday ever
Work work work

She came to my apartment
"We gotta talk" she said
Three word I dread to hear
They keep ringing in my head

And she says:
" I hope our baby has eyes just like yours"

Monday Song - F*ck You - Cee Lo Green

Can You Spare Some Sugar?

Mr. Henson...

On my ride to Paris In Plantsville this morning I was thinking about the history of Elmwood Productions...  All the people who have been there, helped me make it happen, and those who have immersed their lives into it with me...  It's swallowed some of us whole!  Hahaha...  

I started thinking about how I got here and how I fell in love with puppets.  It was The Muppets, it was Jim Henson and his crew that kicked it off for me.  It's been with me my whole life.  I can't remember the "Ah-ha" moment that I fell in love with it.  But I can remember the day it hit me that I wanted to do this my whole life.  Freshmen year of high school in the start of the year...  That following May Jim Henson passed away.  I was devastated.

So I get to Paris, and laugh at Todd sitting on a table among the art in the studio, and I giggle a myself wearing a Kermit t-shirt.  Then I go to the computer to hit the net and do my routine and I see the date...  May 16.  The date stands out to me every year.  May 16, 1990 was the day Jim Henson died.  Maybe it was in the back of my head while getting dressed this morning, maybe it was in the back of my head on the ride to the gallery.  Maybe it's just become part of who I am: A Puppeteer.

The statement below I posted on Elmwood's Facebook page a few minutes ago and wanted to share it here too:

Jim Henson is the man that inspired myself and us (Elmwood Productions) to go where we are today... We've had many influences since then from other puppeteers, and film makers, musicians, artists, and even our families and friends... But Mr. Henson we must thank you for getting the ball rolling... I'm sure you're proud of The Muppets, The Henson Company, the Sesame Gang, and all those who were inspired to follow in some form your creative footsteps.
- JB

The Painter Episode 3

Old Lyrics - Short Song

Short Song

I feel better
It's not that I was sick
Just wasn't that well.
At all
Focusing on the event at hand
Give me your hand

Smile with a sadness in your eyes
Or maybe just tired
Roll those eyes to the back of your head
Let's sleep again

Monday Song - Can You Get To That - Funkadelic

Where the Wild Man Went...

Maurice Sendak passed away on Tuesday.  When I got home last nite I was sitting on my bed reading, and I looked over at my nightstand...  It's cluttered; an Ipod dock that never stops playing music, a lamp, a handful of small notebooks, sketchbooks, and pens and pencils, a candle, and a small doll of Max...  The Wild Thing.

It got me thinking about his work and the influence it had on me.
As a kid of  the late 1970's/early 1980's his books were a staple in my local library, and school library.  Some of my earliest memories of books were of "A Night In The Kitchen", "The Nutshell Library" and of course "Where the Wild Things Are"  Not to mention the animation work he did with Sesame Street, and the "Really Rosie" film...

In 1993 when I really decided to start looking into puppetry as a life (or lifestyle I suppose)  I spend many a paycheck at the bookstores acquiring all kinds of art books; collections, how-to books, biographies, etc - on puppets, puppeteers, and artists and film makers I was interested.  I built up quite a library myself, and still am doing so.
One of the books I bought early on, summer of '94 in fact, was "The Art of Maurice Sendak".  I remember working in a plaza in Connecticut called Corbin's Corner at a coffee shop called The Coffee Company, and walking over to the bookshop there (Walden Books, I think) and seeing the book in the bargain bin.  Without thinking about it twice I grabbed it and went back to the coffee shop.  In-between customers I read the whole book in a day.  And the pictures...  Man, not just of his art...  But of his studio space, his life...  I knew that was awesome and inspiring.
Even recently I was blown away again  by what Spike Jonez did with the film of "Where The Wild Things Are"...

So I want to thank you Mr. Sendak.  For your work, your inspiration to me.

Mr. Universe and Don: Grillin'

Old Lyrics - No Title

Danced with the locals and slept in the kingdom,
Didn't see any cowards and
Everyone said what they meant
And meant what they felt,
And they looked me in the eye
When they would say:
I love you or hate you
I'm clearly insane with a dash of overconfidence,
Lightly sprinkled with melancholy and
Self righteousness and a touch of
Happy rage

So why am I in my head?
Dancing dance
With the dead,
Wanting to eat sugary sweets
Drifting toward your pretty feet
I found a wedding dress
On the side of the street
Wanted to wear it
When we next meet
There’s a place inside
A Elmwood sky
A place that we found to hide
Behind the building
On Quaker Lane
You held me close and called me sweet
I won’t kiss you
So don’t bother to beg
I won’t kiss you
So don’t brush your teeth today
I won't f**k you

Monday Song - Landed - Ben Folds

Opening This Saturday at PARIS IN PLANTSVILLE!

Paris In Plantsville is honored to be hosting 

FUSED

Featuring the Art of Rebecca Shemms, Allison Chatelle, and David Hubbard.

This exhibition is in partial fulfillment of the Master of Science Degree in Art at Central Connecticut State University.

Opening Reception is Saturday May 5, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and the exhibition runs 5/5 through 5/31 during normal gallery hours

Simon's Lament

Old Lyrics - Martian Love Face

Martian Love Face

So kill me
And laugh in my face
So thrill me
Let's go to outer space

You laugh and laugh
In my face
When we're in bed
At my place

A martian came
and came to town
Showed us love
Then burned it down

You laugh and laugh
In my face
When we're in bed
Or alone in my place

Just kill me
I can't take it anymore
Dance to whatever
Me so inspired by outer space

A martian came
And came to town
She showed us love
Then Burned me down

What the fuck are we left to do
This worlds so pathetic without you
My town's in shambles, and ruined by you
Just kill me

Monday Song - You're Crazy - Guns N' Roses

Whoever put this on YouTube taped it off Fox 61 here in CT back in 1988! Hahaha!

Poetry Corner with Johnnie Sojive!!!

Old Lyrics - Over

Over

Highway mofos
Dying to be the one
Cover me in education
I've got videos of you
You're the buried not forgotten one

Approach the gates of you
The place I left the papers
"Ticket please," I'm asked
Like Disney World to get a view
A view of what is left
Of you

They wanted to put you down
I wanted to spread you out
Save the DNA
Someday re-create

Torment those all around
The prettiest face is lost
One hole through a lung
Another hole through a life
Torment me with a view

Approach the gates with a ticket again

They wanted to put you down
I stole you and spread you out
Save the DNA
Enough to procreate.

Monday Song - Such A Night - Dr. John

"Beyond Dreamland" Screening 4/21 at Paris In Plantsville!

I didn't make this flick... But I am still hosting the monthly film series at Paris In Plantsville!

This movie is a lot of fun. A semi-mockumantary on a drummer's struggles with cancer.
How can that possibly be "fun"? Come and check it out Saturday to see!

Steve The Vampire Episode Three

Old Lyrics - The Only One

THE ONLY ONE

Brother,
I’ve known you my whole life.
Brother,
That isn’t very long.
My brother,
18 years together.
Brother,
We had 20 lifetimes of fun.

And even during the bad you made it seen less stressing
You are my brother, the only one.

The only one I’ll ever have,
The only one.
The only one Ill ever have,
The only one.

Monday Song - Galaxie - Blind Melon

Pinxit! and The Works of Cathy Michanczyk - OpeningTonite!

Paris in Plantsville Gallery and Studio is pleased to announce the opening of "Pinxit: New Works by Sean Michanczyk & Eric Stegmaier", and "The Works of Cathy Michanczyk"on view from April 14 to May 1, 2012.

About the Artists:

Sean Michanczyk is a 2008 graduate of the Hartford Art School ( BFA illustration ). His work pays homage to old masters while keeping a contemporary trompe l’oeil edge. His tightly rendered paintings and keen sense of balance create harmonious story telling through symbolism. “ What it is, isn’t always what it is”.

Sean is the owner and founder of Paris In Plantsville Gallery & Studio. He and his Great Dane aptly named Paris reside in Southington, CT

Eric Stegmaier is a 2002 graduate of the Hartford Art School (BFA illustration) and a 2007 graduate of Sacred Heart University (MA religious studies). His work harmonizes tightly rendered and loosely gestural strokes, allowing him to direct the viewer’s eye not only through compositional placement, but also by selective detail.

Eric is an artist in residence at Paris in Plantsville and is the Senior Conservation Assistant in the Paintings Department at the Yale Center for British Art. He and his wife Heather currently reside in Southington, CT.

Cathy Michanczyk is a Southington Native, currently living in Plantsville. Her works are a mix of still life, landscapes, and wonderful portraits of cats in oils, acrylics, and pencil. Cathy has been on the Connecticut art scene since the early 1970's and has exhibited all over the state. We're proud to have Cathy in April to kick off our new gallery space as we expand Paris In Plantsville.

For more information on the opening please use this link to our Event Page on Facebook.

We look forward to seeing everyone Saturday night!

Mr. Universe and Don: Suicide Attempt

Old Lyrics - Her Name Is Sleepy

Her Name Is Sleepy

Sleep? What is that?
I dream awake, Sleepy
Living in a dream,
Sleepy

Little pills, I took your advise
Shouldn't drink, you are my vice
Found my mattress, Sleepy.

Morning? It doesn't matter anymore
It all runs together, Sleepy.
Eyes open for over a week
Sleepy, help me.

Little pills, come to my mouth
Swallow down, and find a pillow
You're waiting there, laughing,
Sleepy

Monday Song - Bring Me The Disco King - David Bowie

You were better...

before you tried to be a trendy energy drink...

Jade Music Video

The Maxx

Haven't thought about this comic book or show in YEARS... Stumbled upon the DVD on Amazon a few months ago, bought it, and have probably watched a dozen time since... This broke doors down in animation, and I forgot how cool it was too...

Now I wanna go back and find all the old comics!

Old Lyrics - Jade

JADE

ARE YOU SOMETIMES DOWN, AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHY?
WELL, I’VE BEEN THERE JADE.
WHEN YOU GET REAL TIRED OF PLAYING ALL THEIR GAMES
WILL YOU DANCE WITH ME, JADE?

YOU KNOW I CAN SEE WHERE YOU’RE COMING FROM.
YOU SAY I’M
CRAZY, BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?

GET UP AND DANCE, ABOVE THE LOVERS.
I’VE DONE IT JADE, SO CAN YOU.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOUR NEIGHBORS THINK.
JUST YOU DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

YOU KNOW I CAN SEE WHERE YOU’RE COMING FROM.
YOU SAY I’M
CRAZY, BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?

SO IF YOU GET DOWN, SO LOW DOWN,
AND YOU CAN’T FIND ME, JADE.
JUST REACH TO THE SKY, LOOK FOR ME.
I’LL GRAB YOU.
AND BRING YOU RIGHT TO ME.

YOU KNOW I CAN SEE WHERE YOU’RE COMING FROM.
YOU SAY I’M
CRAZY, BUT HOW WOULD YOU…
HOW WOULD YOU KNOW.

THIS ONE’S NOT FOR THE LOVERS,
THIS ONE’S FOR YOU JADE.

JB/SZ/PL

Monday Song - Happy Home - Garbage

We did it!

We survived the month long exhibit at Paris In Plantsville...

I'm kinda too exausted to recap it right now, but wow - what an amazing time...

More later, and more pictures too!

Josh & Todd 3/31 at Paris In Plantsville!

The Painter Episode 2

Monday Song - New Slang - The Shins

Axl Does Lilith

Old Lyrics - Sprinkles

Sprinkles

How specific can I be
Adopted at the age of 33
33, the year I was supposed to die
My body's dust sprinkled in your eyes

A friend wants to inhale my soul
She's still waiting
For me to die

Girl I know should live alone
But on my couch is what she calls home
Pony tail? Make up your mind
My body's dust sprinkled in your eyes

Another girl wants to get to know
She's waiting
To show her soul

Bobby asks "Did you break a piece off?"
I laugh and say "I did my best."
Funny how I'll never know

Don't make me sleep on my porch again
Let me light your cigarette.

Monday Song - Non Dairy Creamer - Third Eye Blind

Yeah, this song's corny as Hell... But I still like it!

STEVE THE VAMPIRE ENCORE!

We had a capacity crowd at the opening and first screening on March 3rd.... And we have people asking us if we'll screen it again soon! So here we are, doing a hit and run screening!

THAT'S TONITE!!!- At PARIS IN PLANTSVILLE!
Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the movie will start at 8:00 PM...

This time, bring your favorite cushion or blanket to sit on, we're gonna keep it laid back and silly, and bring your camera and get pics with Steve and the Elmwood Puppets!

For info on the rest of the event, and the March 31st Closing Party and "Josh and Todd" screening use this link - http://www.facebook.com/events/308812515821145/

We can't wait to see ya!

CLICK HERE!!!!

Josh And Todd Teaser Trailer

Old Lyrics - You're The One

YOU’RE THE ONE
(WHO KICKS MUD IN MY EYE)

Sometimes we’re naked,
Sometimes we’re loading our guns.
Sometimes we’re with other people,
They are the lucky ones.

Sometimes I love you.
Sometimes I ask myself why.
Sometimes I want to hit you.
Most of the time I want to cry.
Because you’re the one who kicks mud in my eye.

Parading around in your underwear
Looking so good, so cool.
Telling me I’m not good enough to fuck you.
But you live at my house, and eat from my fridge.
You take my money and spend it.

And then you’ll ask me to lay you.
And of course I oblige,
Then kick you out of the bed.
Because you’re the one who kicks mud in my eye.

Monday Song - Erotic City - George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic

Whew...

What a week... We opened our Exhibition on Saturday nite, and screened, for the first time - "The Complete Steve The Vampire" - and it was HUGE

HUGE

We had approximately 200 people in Paris In Plantsville...
And everyone laughed and had a great time... I finally got some real sleep in last nite, and I'm sitting here at Paris In Plantsville now just kinda taking it all back in again...
Amazing
I was (and still am) overwhelmed and humbled...
If you're reading this and you were there; I thank you.
If you're reading this and missed it, well... The exhibit's up through 3/31, and we'll screening "Josh and Todd" on 3/31 to close the event! So you better get there between now and then! Hahaha!!!

Steve The Vampire Episode Two

Old Lyrics - Demented Forgetful Confused

Demented Forgetful Confused

The sky wide opened
Just like your legs
It poured and poured
And washed my soul
And ran away again

You always leave me
Demented, forgetful, confused
It's enough to surround myself with you
Demented, forgetful, confused
I center myself by nites with you

So fucked up,
A weekday, "school nite"; she said
Should I look for that again
It's the trouble
The trouble

So leave me
Demented, forgetful, confused
Then come, surround myself with you
Demented, forgetful, confused
It's enough to spend my life with you

So fucked up
For you.

Monday Song - Burning Down The House - Tom Jones

Tomorrow Nite!

Join the Elmwood Productions gang at
Paris In Plantsville for a screening of
"The Complete Steve the Vampire"!

The screening also opens up a month long exhibition celebrating Ten Years of Elmwood Productions!

Hope you come!

Paris In Plantsville
15 West Main Street
Plantsville, CT

Mr. Universe and Don on Dune

Happy Leap Year!

And Don't Forget - 3/3/12! STEVE THE VAMPIRE!

Old Lyrics - Sticker Price

Sticker Price

What was the sticker price?
I don't know, I peeled it off
It really doesn't matter
I got it cheap.

It's kinda outta control
And I'm enjoying it
Way too much

How come this is getting easier?
Shouldn't it get harder
On me?
So easy to fall up the stairs again.

And right on my face again.

Monday Song - Seasons Of Wither - Aerosmith

Come See Steve! In Person!!!

Yup! We have been doing this for ten years!
Thanks for all your support over the years!
To celebrate we will be screening for the first time ever "The Complete Steve The Vampire" on March 3, 2012 at Paris In Plantsville Gallery and Studio!

That same day Paris In Plantsville will open a new exhibition to celebrate the Ten Years of Elmwood Productions! The gallery will be filled with puppets from our films, behind the scenes photography, character designs, and more.

"The Complete Steve The Vampire" follows the adventures of Steve who was turned into a vampire as a teenager and although now in his mid-twenties, he just can't catch a break trying to prove himself in the vampire community. Between his overbearing and in denial mother, his indifferent girlfriend, and his unlikely friendship with Dracula, he still manages to keep his head on straight and do his best to avoid being staked by the local vampire slayer.
And all he wants to do is hang out, watch some Star Trek, and enjoy a good glass a blood...

The screening is also part of Paris In Plantsville's monthly film series showcasing independent films made in and connected to the local film community.

And on March 31st we will also be screening our feature film "Josh and Todd: The Story of a Man and is Puppet" to close out the exhibition.

For both screening the doors open at 7:00 PM, and the films start at 8:00PM.
As with all our screenings it is a free event, but donations to the gallery are appreciated. The donations keep events like this happening!

We'd like to thank our friends at The Official Beer of Elmwood Productions - Pabst Blue Ribbon - for all their support!

"Steve the Vampire" is rated PG
"Josh and Todd: The Story of a Man and His Puppet" is rated R

What Went Wrong? Music Video

Coming March 3rd to Paris In Plantsville
The Ten Anniversary of Elmwood Productions Exhibit
and screening of
"The Complete Steve the Vampire"

Done...

So last Wednesday we shot the last bits for the "Steve the Vampire" series... The picture above is from that night (thanks Mike!) and we laughed like Hell...

It felt good. No, it felt great. Beautiful in fact. I love the crew we have.

And last nite Jim, Steph, and I went to Russ' to do the last bits of voice-over dubbing. We had some things to fix and so on... And we finished that. I got home around 4 AM and was jazzed, but still did pass out within an hour. So now it's noon the next day and I'm thinking about the past six years of Steve the Vampire... The past six years of my life...

And this is the happiest I have been in YEARS...
I love my life. I love what I do. I love the Elmwood Crew. I love everyone!!!! Hahahaha!!!

Anyway, you better come 3/3 to see the show. Or I might cry.

And PBR will be there, so free beer!!!!!

Old Lyrics - What Went Wrong?

WHAT WENT WRONG?

HERE I AM,
AND AS FAR AS I CAN SEE
THINGS AIN’T RIGHT
BETWEEN YOU AND ME
IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOU’VE SAID YOU LOVE ME.
THE LIES GO ON
WHY MUST YOU ALWAYS DECEIVE ME?
WHAT WENT WRONG
WITH US SUGAR?
AND WHY’D YOU MAKE ME TAKE THE BUS?

SO COME TELL ME BABY,
PLEASE TELL ME BABY,
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT WENT WRONG?
WAS IT ALL MY FUSSIN’,
OR MY SLAP-HAPPY CUSSIN’?
PLEASE TELL ME WHAT WENT WRONG.

TAKE A STEP FOR EVERYTHING
THAT YOU’VE DONE CRAZY.
DREAM A DREAM,
IF IT IS GOOD, NAKED WE’LL BE!
TIME. WHAT TIME?
IF WE MAKE LOVE WE LOSE ALL TIME.
YOU SAY I’M CRAZY BUT I DON’T MIND.
AS LONG AS WE’RE HAPPY IT’LL BE ALRIGHT
ALRIGHT!

SO COME TELL ME BABY,
PLEASE TELL ME BABY,
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT WENT WRONG?
WAS IT ALL YOU EXPECTED
FROM THE THINGS THAT YOU WANTED?
PLEASE TELL ME WHAT WENT WRONG?

I CAN’T DO IT NO MORE!
I CAN’T TAKE IT NO MORE!
I CAN’T DIG IT NO MORE!

IT’S DRIVING ME CRAZY!

I GOT A TWO BIT SUCKA-BITCH,
APPLE JACK RAM-O-BIT,
AND I LOVE YOU LIKE A CHAKA-MU-BERRY!

AND I LOVE YOU LIKE A CHAKA-MU-BERRY!
I SAID I LOVE YOU! (LOVE YOU!)
I SAID I LOVE YOU LIKE A
CHAKA-MU-BERRY!


JB/JG/PL/DP

Monday Song - Misery - Soul Asylum

Steve The Vampire Trailer 3/3 at PiP!!!

Come See Steve!!!

March 3, 2012 At Paris In Plantsville

All the details HERE