Monday, December 31, 2018

Stole this post from Elmwood Productions! Happy New Year!

(Click the picture to see the original post on Elmwood's Blog!)
We hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve!
2018 was pretty amazing for us.  
We started the year with the release of "ANIMAL BEHAVIOR" and kept running from there!
We taught you the proper etiquette of sending adult themed texts in 


Then just as Halloween hit, so did the terror of "THE JUNGLE MAN"!!!
And "THE RISLEY BROTHERS" kept your beer mugs full of laughs!  
And we cannot forget teaming up with the amazing team at Terror Films who brought our film "HEAD" to Amazon PrimeTubiTViTunes, and more!

We cannot wait for you to see what we have in store for 2019!  


2018 was good to us, and we're thankful and grateful to all of you for your support... 
We're going to take a nice nap starting tomorrow!
See ya soon!





And now some pics from the past year...

























Monday, December 24, 2018

Christmas Eve in Elmwood...


 
It's Christmas Eve, and Tugger has a plan... But is it a good one?
Ripper doesn't think so! See the entire series on Elmwood's VHX Channel!

Watch "The Risley Brothers" now on VHX!

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Monday, December 17, 2018

Saints VS Scoundrels and Some Barely Brew

I'm not a super religious man...  But very spiritual. 
I have my beliefs and stand by them, but will never force them on anyone else... 
Now with that said - I'm here to promote something very religious. 
My good friend Rick Corbo is not just a handsome guy.  He is also super talented... 
He sings, acts, puppeteers, writes...  He does it all. 

And he was recently on a show called "Saints Vs Scoundrels" for The Eternal Word Television Network, AKA EWTN.

Rick played that episodes scoundrel, Thomas Hobbes...  And he was awesome in the show.
It was a ton of fun to see my friend do such a great job on the show!  While I may not agree with everything the show promotes I do understand the sentiment, from both the scoundrel and the saint...  

Pick is up on DVD HERE
And Rick is so badass he even did all his own stunts!

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Get Diabolical!!!

"Paper City Burnout"
from Diabolical Films 
is now on The Elmwood Channel on Vimeo/VHX!
To rent or buy the flick click HERE
And if you're a subscriber to 
The Elmwood Channel click HERE

Ho Ho Ho!!! Santa's Coming!

 
It's Christmas Eve, and Tugger has a plan... But is it a good one?
Ripper doesn't think so! See the entire series on Elmwood's VHX Channel!

Watch "The Risley Brothers" now on VHX!

Friday, December 14, 2018

"That's A Wrap"!!!

I guested on a podcast from Euphio Productions earlier this week!
The show is called "That's A Wrap"
It was great to chat with buddy Steve for an hour...  It was the pilot/first episode...  So there are a few glitches, lol...
Looking forward to being on the show again!

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Tomorrow! Paper City Burnout!

Premiering 12/14/2018 on

Join Elmwood Productions in celebrating the digital release of Diabolical Films first feature; “Paper City Burnout”“Paper City Burnout” follows the story of a family dealing with the challenge of opioid addiction. Shot almost entirely on the streets of Berlin, New Hampshire. 


PAPER CITY BURNOUT FROM 
DIABOLICAL FILMS
will be joining the site!
More details - CLICK HERE!!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

For Now...

I am happy to say (brag?) that I got to see Avenue Q in 2003 right after it opened on Broadway with the original cast.  
Which was right before it won a few Tony's...  
Now 15 years later, it's wrapping up in spring 2019.  
It's really cool to see that a puppet show that's both parody and tribute to Sesame Street last that long on and off Broadway.  The show has been an inspiration to many puppeteers.  And when done right the local productions can bring new puppeteers to the art.  
Hoping to catch it again on a tour sometime... 

Monday, December 10, 2018

PAPER CITY BURNOUT - THIS FRIDAY!

Premiering 12/14/2018 on


Join Elmwood Productions in celebrating the digital release of Diabolical Films first feature; “Paper City Burnout”“Paper City Burnout” follows the story of a family dealing with the challenge of opioid addiction. Shot almost entirely on the streets of Berlin, New Hampshire. 


PAPER CITY BURNOUT FROM 
DIABOLICAL FILMS
will be joining the site!
More details - CLICK HERE!!!

Friday, December 7, 2018

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Now Back To The Regular Madness...


Did you know Elmwood has a cool site where you can subscribe to see our flicks, or rent or download them?
We do!!

And did you know we also have films from Euphio Films there too?!!!
Now you do!


And we're adding something else!!! 
On 12/14...
PAPER CITY BURNOUT FROM DIABOLICAL FILMS
will be joining the site!
More details - CLICK HERE!!!

Monday, December 3, 2018

I'm Embarassed, and I'm Sorry... And I'm kinda pissed off

Long post here…  
I  decided to leave an incubating project today.  Not because I couldn’t see it becoming a success, or because of timing.  But because of lies, and mis-representation from the producers and creators of the show about the agenda.  I just cannot be a part of religious brainwashing and intolerance. 
This is NOT and Elmwood Productions project.

Earlier this year I was approached by a puppeteer/producer who was interested in having me perform on his upcoming show “Doc Gomper’s World Of Amazing Wonders”.  This was pitched to me as an educational science show for elementary school age children that was to be shopped to networks and the like. 
Because of a non-disclosure agreement, I will not be naming names, and I will not be giving specifics about the story line of the show or characters.  These were items covered in the NDA.  But I can name the show by name, and bring up things not covered in the NDA, such as puppet making, and the public posts made by the company on their Facebook account.  Naming people was not in the agreement.  But I feel it’s better not to do so.
Quickly I realized those involved, specifically one person, was very new at taking on larger projects, and upon digging into his work in the past it was clear he was very green at puppet film making.   Further research showed some past mis-steps in paying people, and in not returning property, leading to at least one lawsuit.  I asked him to explain the situations, which were years ago.  He stated some bad things that happened in his past he has been cleaning up his life and trying to get back on track.  I even had a couple people reach out to me and ask me to watch my back.  Which from that point forward I did.  People make mistakes, every one of us.  Accepting the mistakes and working to be better is a good thing.
With this in mind I was still OK with coming on the project as a puppeteer.  But still watching my back…
After agreeing to puppeteer my contact with the show then went on to ask me for advice, and for and possible contacts for additional puppeteers.  Which I was happy to help with, as I would love to bring some of my friends and fellow performers on, for what looked like would be a fun and educational project.  During this time my contact/producer also kept attempting to pressure me into using existing Elmwood characters in his project.  I am no fool.  I declined to share Elmwood’s characters for his show for a few reasons. Mainly the integrity of our shows and continuity, and I was fully aware of his attempt to ride our coattails and use our existing characters to push his show.   And was also aware of his timing on this.  He was very eager to announce my involvement as HEAD was hitting the streaming services over the summer.  I asked him to wait a few weeks and let HEAD be released and haves it’s moment, but he did not.  He announced my involvement quickly, during all our promotion for HEAD.  I was nice and let it slide.  I can understand and relate to excitement for a project! 
I was also approached to be a puppet designer and puppet maker for the project, and after a couple sketches was asked to do it, then not.  I think it went back and forth a few times.  I finally stopped bringing it up, since it was clear I probably wouldn’t get paid what I’m worth.   
The contact also attempted to pressure me into finding funding for his project.  Which I could not be a apart of, as I myself am a producer looking for funding for my own projects.   Also he continually changed dates/time/locations for possible shoots for a pilot, crowdfunding videos, and promos.  All while hiding behind a mysterious “investor”.  This unseen and unnamed “investor” was my first huge red flag.  Sure, all the other back and forth moments and lack of info and so on were red flags.  But I was being optimistic as this crew seemed very new and they were trying hard.
Remember, I agreed to be part of a kid’s science show.  
Over the past few weeks the Facebook page for the company has posted anti-gay propaganda, from a “Christian” angle…  That stuff that says kids questioning their gender can be fixed. 
Bullshit. 
Any good Christian would let people be who they are.  Regardless of gender, or gender identification, or sexuality.  Not really “kids show” stuff.  Not even science.   My contact/producer states one of his partners in the project was making those posts.   And did remove one that I am aware of.  
But he still stands by working with someone who is intolerant and ignorant and hiding behind God.  Using God as an excuse to be hateful.  Which is unacceptable.  I’m no angel.  But I also understand that if you believe in God, then God is the one creating people to be the people they are.  So who are you to try and change them?  Let us be.  Let us be men, women, gay, straight, bi-sexual, whatever…  Be whatever you are and want to be.  Please.  I will and do support you.
  
From here I must apologize.  I know I did not do anything wrong.  I do not agree with the sentiments that this production company is standing by.  But, I still am embarrassed to have had my name attached, even briefly to people spreading intolerance.
I am sorry to anyone who saw those posts and found them because my name was attached to the project. 
I am sorry to the performers and crew I introduced to the project and recommended to the producers of the show.
I am sorry to anyone I suggested the Doc Gomper’s Facebook, website, and social media accounts to.  
And I’m sorry to myself, for not seeing and accepting the red flags and signs sooner.  

I wish everyone who does end up working on the project the best of luck.  At this time, I will be discontinuing my connection with the show and its production team.  I have asked that they remove my name, image, and any connection to me from their web presence, and promotional materials

This is the last I’ll speak of this, it’s best left in the past.
I’ll just be over here, with my weird friends of all genders, and religions, and diets, and colors, and political affiliations, and musical tastes, and whatever and ever…  And we’ll keep making our weird movies and shows.  And hopefully you’ll keep watching them!  
Thanks for your support!
“Whatever and ever, Amen.”

Saturday, November 24, 2018

The Risley Brothers - Episode 1: "Jobs"

Curiously daft customers, a surgically enhanced waitress, and Schmutsy... Just another day for Quigly and Wes Risley at their bar, The Wooden Beaver. See the whole series now on The Elmwood Channel on VHX!

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Monday, November 12, 2018

Sweet dreams Stan.

Thanks for making me a true believer

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Pants Optional

Get your button now!
Right HERE

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Monday, November 5, 2018

Make Your Movie! - Make/Believe!



I get asked ALOT about "How Do You Make A Movie?"
Usually it's someone who wants to do it, but is afraid to take the leap, or unsure how to start...
I'm a lucky man... I've been able to follow my dreams and make puppets, and movies with them. Sure, I've made sacrifices. And yes, it does take up much of my time. And it's all worth it. Whenever someone comes to me and tells me they want to make a movie but aren't sure how to start I'll ask a few questions -
"Do you have access to a camera?"
"Do you have a story idea?"
"Do you know anyone who would want to be in a movie?"

I always get "yes" to all three.

And then I ask "So what's stopping you?"

Then I always hear their reasons: "Well, I don't have a huge amount of money," or "I don't have time", or "I have to mow my lawn."... And so on and so on...
These "reasons", I call these excuses.
I don't have have huge amounts of money. I have a lawn to mow. And, sometimes I feel like I don't have time.
But I do it. I want to do it.
And that is really where you start.
If you WANT to do it, you CAN. You have to commit.
You see making a movie is a commitment. Even a short film that may take a day to shoot.

So how did I do it? It brings me back to the three questions.
Well, I had help. I had a friend with a camera. I had story ideas that others helped expand on. I knew people who wanted to be in movies, or in my case wanted to puppeteer in movies.
And we did it. And we keep doing it.  
No, it's not "that easy"... Scheduling, puppet making, casting, locations, all that and more do make it hard. But if you have those three things you have a place to start.
And you CAN do it. You CAN make you're own movie.  

I believe in you.






Saturday, November 3, 2018

Ten Years of This?

This blog, The Mad Puppeteer AKA Puppet A Day is ten years old!
I just realized that while using it to look for a picture of an old puppet.  10/20/2008 was the first post!   The original plan for this was to post a puppet a day for a whole year.  A puppet that I had built.  And at the start of it I didn't have 365 puppets.  Through the whole year I only didn't do one week.  Which was planned in advance, that week focused on puppets built by some of the other Elmwood crew that had been used in flicks from Elmwood Productions.
Once I hit the year I shared puppets from my collection of puppets, and have been using this blog to share about things I love, like art, music, film, etc...  And of course more puppets made by myself, as I make them!  
Wow.  A decade!  So much  has changed, and gotten better!  
Looking forward to the next decade!

The pic on top is from shooting "The Risley Brothers" which was one of the most fun things we ever shot...  And one of my faves!

Monday, October 29, 2018

Free DVD of "The Jungle Man!!! Only ONE! Win It!!!



THE JUNGLE MAN
HAS LANDED!
See "The Jungle Man" and more now on Elmwood's VHX/Vimeo Channel - CLICK HERE!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

From now through 11/10 everyone who rent/purchases "The Jungle Man" on VHX will be entered into a drawing to win a screen used prop from the flick, along with a signed DVD!
The offer is also for anyone who subscribes to The Elmwood Channel on VHX, and for all current subscribers and previous purchases of "The Jungle Man"!!!
Click HERE to get the flick!

The signed DVD is a burned DVD-R featuring the film, nothing too special, hahaha!

Friday, October 26, 2018

"The Jungle Man" - Behind the scenes!

Here's a few pics from the making of 




 

 











































Don't forget to check out the short if you haven't yet!!!
CLICK HERE!!!