The Mad Puppeteer

Steve! 3/3/12

2012-01-26T04:26:00.004-05:00

Someday I'll write a history of Elmwood Productions, at least from my point of view/memory... Going all the way back to 1993
But not today.
Today I'll start in May, 2006...

Friday night I go see Mission Impossible 3 with Tricky. We hit up the big coffee chain and get cookies and coffee pre-screening. I try some weird coffee that keeps me up half the night.
The movie was awesome.
I wake up feeling sick, really really sick.
Food Poisoning.
And we're supposed to film a new short film;
"Steve the Vampire Who Lives With His Mom"

Shit

I suck it up and go to the now extinct Tricky Rock Studios. I get there first, other than Tricky, and I warn him that my stomach is out of control. Mrs. Tricky gets me a glass of water and says drink the Gatorade in the fridge, all of it. And I damn near do throughout the day.
Russ, Liz, Jim, and Jaime all arrive on set within 45 minutes and all make comments on how I look like death.
I fight my way through the shoot. In between bathroom breaks and holding Steve up I manage to pass out, hahaha...
But we got it done. In a day.
We joked around about doing more with Steve... I had no idea six years later we'd be shooting something called "Steve The Vampire's Last Stand" on a very cold weekend two weeks ago...

This is the only known photo from the first day of shooting of "Steve the Vampire" and I look like Hell

We've made 13 Steve flicks, and a couple other little goofy moments with him too...
And we're finally going to be sharing them all. In March at Paris In Plantsville, and by Halloween on DVD. And I'm excited for it.

Elmwood Productions has come so far since that day, and so far since we really got started up in 2002. I'm proud of the crew and what we have created, I can't wait to see what is next!

So to everyone who worked on Steve... THANK YOU!
And I hope to see you March 3rd!
And our buddies at PBR will be there too!!!

Josh & Todd Movie Trailer

2012-01-25T09:36:00.002-05:00

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

And on March 31st...

Old Lyrics - This One's For The Lovers

2012-01-24T21:12:00.001-05:00

THIS ONE’S FOR THE LOVERS
(GOOD-BYE SANTA FE)

LOVE, FAITH, LIFE,
SANTA FE, GIVE ME LOVE, FAITH, LIFE.

IN THE DESERT THERE ARE MANY LOVERS
NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH THEY HAVE.
IN THE DESERT I AM JUST ANOTHER
LOST RIDING IN THE SAND.
IN THE DESERT I AM GOING CRAZY.
MY TRUE FRIENDS, THEY GIVE ME A HAND.
THEY SAY, “YOU CAN FIND IT.”
A BLIND MAN PUT A CANE IN MY HAND.
IN THE DESERT WE’RE SOUL SEARCHING
THE LORD KNOWS, HOW DO YOU LOSE?
SOME OF US HAVE BEEN HERE FOREVER,
THE REAT OF US MAY NEVER KNOW TOO.

I’M STILL TRAVELING, I’M LOOKING FOR SOMEONE.
I CAN’T BELIEVE MY HEART, AND I CAN’T FIND ANYONE.
DOESN’T ANYONE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ALL NEED SOMEONE?
JUST LOOK INTO MY EYES, YOU’LL SEE I’M SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE.

I DON’T WANT ANOTHER MAN’S LOVER.
AND I DON’T WANT TO SHARE A GOOD FRIEND.
THIS ONE’S FOR ALL OF THE LOVERS,
I WISH I WAS ONE OF THEM.

THIS ONE’S FOR THE LOVERS.
THE NEXT ONE MIGHT BE FOR ALL OF MY FRIENDS.
THIS ONE’S FOR THE LOVERS.
I WISH I WAS ONE OF THEM.

SHE GAVE ME TOO MUCH, TOO FAST, TOO SOON.
AND I COULDN’T HANDLE IT.

TOO MUCH, TOO FAST, TOO SOON.
TOO MUCH, TOO FAST, TOO SOON.

THIS ONE’S FOR THE LOVERS.
I WISH I COULD BE ONE OF THEM.

JG/GG

Monday Song - Southwestern State - 7 Mary 3

2012-01-23T04:36:00.000-05:00

Even More Movies at Paris In Plantsville!!!

2012-01-19T08:39:00.002-05:00

And one more time!!!
This Saturday Join Josh and Christian at Paris In Plantsville for a Double Feature of amazing stories!

It starts with
"The NeverEnding Story"
and followed by
"Beowulf"

The Girl With The Afro

2012-01-18T10:19:00.000-05:00

Old Lyrics - The Bar Song

2012-01-17T20:45:00.004-05:00

The Bar Song

I'll be in the bar again...
Sitting and waiting on you
Bad karaoke too loud to think
Social life is at it again
Time again, for another drink

It hurts when I laugh
And I love the pain
I love the pain
Bring it back again

Chilly inside, chill my bones
Mexican girl dancing on the bar
And I feel alone
But the smile on my face
Calls me a liar

A girl pukes in her hands (I'm sorry)
A man drops to her knees (Don't cry)
I dropped a shot glass on the floor... (Wolverine!)
And a drunk pees himself in front of me
This is my American Dream (I have you)

It hurts when I laugh
And I live for this pain
I'm in love with the pain
Heartbreak me again

There's more to life we're told
Slow it down we're told
If we slow down we'll get old
Social life kicks my ass
Won't live to see I'm old, too late to change...

It hurts when I laugh
And I love the pain
I love the pain
Make me lie again

Punch me in the face, and
I'm in love with you
I'm gonna cry in the bathroom
While thinking of you

It hurts when
I wake up sober.

Monday Song - Don't Change Your Plans - Ben Folds Five

2012-01-16T07:01:00.000-05:00

The Dream Play - 2/11/12 at Paris In Plantsville

2012-01-13T04:59:00.002-05:00

In 2012 I'm going to be hosting a series of films at Paris In Plantsville. The focus of the films will be in Independently made films from Connecticut based film makers, performers, and artists.

It's lining up nicely with some really interesting flicks coming my way to share, and Elmwood's even having a nite in March (more to come on that later) that's going to be a ton of fun.

I think of my self as a puppeteer/puppet maker first and a film maker second. I love movies and love making them, so I want to share that with everyone I can.

SO when putting together the films I reached out first to people I know who are involved in film in the area. And my friend Tim Burke just happens to be an actor...
And he just happened to have a film he stars in...
And that film is The Dream Play

I've seen the film. It's part of a two film cycle, and it's really good. And Tim's great in it, so I'm really happy to share the film at Paris In Plantsville.

So please join me, the Paris Guys and Elmwood Gang, and Tim on 2/11 for the first New England screening of
The Dream Play!

More info HERE

15 West Main Street

Plantsville, CT

Mr. Universe

2012-01-11T10:18:00.000-05:00

Old Lyrics - You're Not A Star

2012-01-10T07:49:00.004-05:00

I used to be in bands and write a lot of the lyrics...
I have a few files full of them.. Full songs, parts of songs, poems that might have been songs, and so on... Some of them go as far back as 1990... Just gonna start posting them here...
By no means are any of these any good. Hahaha!!!

You're Not A Star

YOU’RE NOT MY OLD GREEN CAR,
SO I DON’T PAY INSURANCE.
YOU’RE NOT MY TONGUE,
SO I DON’T NEED YOU TO TALK.
YOU’RE NOT MY MOTHER,
SO DON’T YOU TRY AND GUIDE ME.
YOU’RE NOT MY HOME,
BUT YOU CAN KEEP ME WARM.
YOU’RE NOT MY GUITAR,
AND I’M WRITING SONGS ABOUT YOU.
YOU’RE NOT MY WIFE,
AND YOU NEVER WILL BE.
YOU’RE NOT A TEACHER,
I’VE HAD ALL THE SCHOOL I CAN HANDLE.
YOU’RE NOT A STAR.

YOU’RE NOT MY SHOES,
BUT I’D LIKE TO TIE YOU UP.
YOU’RE NOT MY PORNO MAGS,
BUT YOU KNOW HOW TO GET ME UP.
YOU’RE NOT MY LOVER,
JUST A TOY FOR MY NEEDS.
YOU’RE NOT MY WATCH,
AND ALL I GOT IS TIME.
YOU’RE NOT MY CHILD,
SO I DON’T HAVE TO RAISE YOU.
YOU’RE NOT MY BED,
BUT ALL YOUR BITCHIN’ PUTS ME RIGHT TO SLEEP.
YOU’RE NOT A STAR.

YOU’RE NOT MY SUNGLASSES,
THIS WORLD’S TOO DARK ANYWAY.
YOU’RE NOT MY DOCTOR,
AND I’M ON DRUGS BECAUSE OF YOU.
YOU’RE NOT MY TELEVISION,
DAMN, NO OFF SWITCH.
YOU’RE NOT MY KITCHEN SINK,
YOU THINK YOU’RE EVERYTHING ELSE.
YOU’RE NOT MY SYNTHESIZER,
YOU COULD NEVER MAKE THOSE FUNKY SOUNDS.
YOU’RE NOT MY HAT,
AND I WEAR ONE ALL OF THE TIME.
YOU’RE NOT MY LIFE,
SO GO AND GET ONE OF YOUR OWN
YOU’RE NOT A STAR.

Monday Song - A Sorta Fairytale - Tori Amos

2012-01-09T05:11:00.000-05:00

What a cool video...

TRIKKY Munny!

2012-01-08T08:24:00.000-05:00

As Munny Madness winds down at Paris In Plantsville I figured it was time to post that Munny I was working on in it's complete form.

But before I even took a picture I gave it to Tricky!
But he posted a pic of it on his Faceplant page so here it is...A Tricky Rock Trikky!

I had a blast making these, and I think I'm going to keep doing them!

Doodling With Jim Henson (and me!)

2012-01-07T06:37:00.001-05:00

For Christmas Brie's sister Maggie got me an amazing gift...

A book titled "Doodling With Jim Henson"!

It's full of Mr. Henson's sketches, doodles, and art, and has drawing exercises for getting the creativity flowing onto the paper. The books is a ton of fun, and I can't stop pouring through it... I just started doing some of the doodles, and one I get my camera fixed or a better scanned I'll start posting them here...

Want to check out the book?
Pick it up online at Amazon or hit your local bookstore and demand it!

And THANK YOU MAGGIE!!!

Paris In Plantsville's Second Anniversary!!!

2012-01-06T00:38:00.000-05:00

That's right! We made it two years!
We'll be having our second annual juried show in February, and I want to get the word out for the open call here... The show opens February 4th and drop off for submissions is 1/19-1/22

So here's all the info copied and pasted right from the Facebook Event Page!

This will be the 2nd annual, 2nd anniversary show by Paris In Plantsville....
Time sure does fly!

Join in on the Winters biggest and largest growing juried show in the greater Hartford area with special juror of honor Stanwyck Cromwell. ( Event Image: DIASPORA MARKETPLACE By: Stanwyck Cromwell)

First Place: Solo show at PIP, date TBD
Second Place: $175.00 ( + sponsor gift pack )
Third Place: $75.00 ( + sponsor gift pack )

Details to enter:
- You may submit as many works as you would like
- Painting, Photography, Sculpture and video art are all accepted.
- Paintings may be no larger than 42 inches wide
- Sculptures must fire within 3x3ft space
Cost:
- Each work entered is $15 for non-members $10 for members
Unacceptable work:
- Work the is not properly wired or able to be hung on wall
- Work that is offensive to children (we do teach classes to young children during week nights after all)

*DROP OFF/PICK UP DATES*
- Drop off for work will be January 19th-22nd 12-8 p.m.
- The work may be subject to not being accepted into the show as seen fit by our honorary juror, so, everyone entering will be contacted via e-mail if his or her work was accepted or not accepted
- Pick up for unaccepted work will be Jan 28-30 12-8 p.m. ( work not picked up 3 days after date set may be subject to storage fee )

Juror Information:
Stanwyck E. Cromwell was born in Georgetown, Guyana, and is a second-generation artist. He inherited his artistic gift from both of his parents. In addition, Cromwell credits much of his growth to his cousin and mentor, Maurice C. Jacobs, a noted Guyanese artist, who nurtured him, and was resourceful in laying the foundation for his artistic development. Cromwell graduated from the former British Guiana Educational Trust High School, with high honors in art and other foreign languages, and was employed at Guyana Lithographic Company, as a graphic artist. During his time of employment at that company, he met and worked alongside well-known Guyanese artist Angold Thompson. to read more PLEASE visit his amazing site.
www.StanwyckCromwell.com

On behalf of the Paris In Plantsville Gallery we thank you for the great support the first two years of our birth...Here's to you! and to many more years to come!

P.S. more info to come on sponsors as we get closer!

Movies! At Paris In Plantsville - This Saturday!

2012-01-05T08:28:00.004-05:00

Join Eric and I at Paris In Plantsville this Saturday nite at 7 PM for a Double Feature!

Up first is
"Big Trouble In Little China"
Followed by
"Pan's Labyrinth"

Animal Behavior Trailer

2012-01-04T09:48:00.000-05:00

Monday Song -Let's Dance - David Bowie

2012-01-02T04:58:00.003-05:00

2012 on the Mad Puppeteer...

More puppets that I've made, and from the Elmwood crew...
Elmwood Videos...
More art, mine and others...
Old song lyrics, and stuff like that...
and more of whatever!

New Year's Day Song - We Close Our Eyes....

2012-01-01T19:00:00.000-05:00

Oingo Boingo on the MDA Telethon, somewhere in the 1980's...
Two of my favorite songs from them!

Happy New Year!

May the Force Be With You in 2012

2012-01-01T12:06:00.003-05:00

New Year's Eve...

2011-12-31T03:04:00.001-05:00

I should be in bed... It's too early in the morning, but can't sleep.
And that's OK.
I've been thinking about this past year, and a few years before this one...
And although there have been hard times, I have to say the good out number and outweigh them.

I'm grateful for all my family, and friends, and extended family, and cats...
I'm grateful for the madness that makes me who I am...
I'm grateful to be alive...

So Happy New Year to those who read this, and may 2012 be amazing for you

- JB

Hanoi Rocks - Back to Mystery City [1984]

2011-12-29T09:13:00.002-05:00

For Rich... Make sure to listen to his show tonite online!
Metal Imbalance!!!

Monday Song - Hello - Poe

2011-12-26T00:02:00.000-05:00

And goodbye 2011...

Hope You Have a Great Nite...

2011-12-24T06:38:00.001-05:00

King Tiki Tiki's Christmas Extravaganza!

2011-12-23T04:23:00.002-05:00

Here's this years Elmwood Holiday Short...
Gabe made King Tiki Tiki, and it looks awesome!

ZAPPA on ZAPPA!!!

2011-12-21T12:30:00.000-05:00

A few years back I made a Frank Zappa puppet for my Aunt Desi and Uncle John for Christmas... They were the ones to turn me on to Zappa when I was a teenager, and I haven't turned back...
John went to see Dweezil Zappa's show "Zappa Plays Zappa" last year and brought the puppet with him and managed to get Dweez to sign him!
I was pretty stoked when Desi showed me!

Monday Song - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

2011-12-19T06:07:00.000-05:00

It's Munny Madness at Paris In Plantsville opening 12/17!

2011-12-15T06:32:00.001-05:00

Saturday nite at Paris In Plantsville our new show for the holiday season opens...

MUNNY MADNESS!!!

It's a charity show too, so if you come and buy a Munny, or even make a donation, you'll be doing something good for others this holiday season, 30% of the proceeds are going to The Starlight Children's Foundation!

I've even got a couple Munnys in the show! Come check it out!

Monday Song - The Adventures Of Raindance Maggie - Red Hot Chili Peppers Live at Rox...

2011-12-12T06:17:00.000-05:00

"I'm With You" - My vote for Album of the Year 2011

Bright Light! Bright Light!

2011-12-09T09:31:00.002-05:00

Tonite at Paris In Plantsville!

Warts and all

2011-12-08T00:33:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago the Elmwood blog had a profile on ME written by my cousin for a paper she did for class... We liked it, so we posted it! And now I'm linking it here... Cuz my ego is out of control today...

Just click the picture above to read it!

Painting and Beer... What's not to love?

2011-12-07T09:55:00.003-05:00

So, first things first today...

Need something to do tonite?

Come out and see me, and my fellow Paris In Plantsville resident artists at

The Pabst Blue Ribbon Big Can Art Slam

at The Black Bear bar in Hartford CT!

We'll be painting in public for the love a beer!!!

There should be some amazing artists there, and maybe even Johnnie Sojive... Maybe...

More here

http://www.facebook.com/events/152555878177789/?ref=ts

And in news that makes me feel old...

The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns N' Roses

will both be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012...

Yup... I'm "old, like the Chili Peppers..."

"Have you seen the Muppets?"

2011-12-06T03:04:00.000-05:00

YES! I HAVE!

People keep asking me if I saw it and what I thought of it...

So I'll keep my review short and simple...

Loved it! Was the first Muppet movie that had the feel of "The Muppet Show" and it was full of that Henson Heart. If they keep moaking movies like this then they can't fail!

Can't wait to see it again...

I was lucky enough to have some great friends and my awesome girlfriend come with me to see it opening nite!

Monday Song - Evaporated - Ben Folds

2011-12-05T05:54:00.000-05:00

And Thanks Brie! You gave this song so much meaning to me... I'm lucky to have you in my life.

Munny Madness!!!!

2011-12-02T02:44:00.000-05:00

So here is my other Munny Doll... This one's the Foomi, completed with a base... It's already at Paris In Plantsville for the show!

I actually got this picture texted to me today by Josh, with the text "You're touched man."

To me that's a compliment.

MUNNY MADNESS Day 4...

2011-11-30T22:56:00.003-05:00

Nope... No pictures of the Munny today...

Cuz it's done.

Wanna see it you gotta come to the show.

In fact I did two! A Trikky and a Foomi!

The Foomi is really whacked out!

Here's the show info, be there!...

Opening Dec 17 at Paris In Plantsville

You get a Munny...

You make your Munny unique...

You bring it to Paris In Plantsville for the coolest toy show of the holiday season!

THIS WILL BE A CHARITY EVENT WITH 30% OF ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO THE STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION

Submission Fees: $5.00 for 1, $10 for 2, After two submissions; infinite submissions for FREE!!!

The First 40 Entries receive a FREE Kidrobot Key Chain!!!

Official dates :

Drop offs start December 3rd through December 15th

Opening gala will be December 17th at 7pm - 11p

But start making your Munny (or Trikky, or Rooz, or Foomi, and so on) now!

Pick them up at Blick in Plainville, CT and tell them we sent you.

And check out www.kidrobot.com/munnyworld for ideas and fun!

THIS event will be sponsored by Dick Blick Art Materials!!!!!

Visit their website for awesome deals :

http://www.dickblick.com/

Munny Madness Day 3!

2011-11-28T19:40:00.000-05:00

Click the pic above to be part of Munny Madness at Paris In Plantsville!

It's blurry... But there is a face starting there... And below, a random arm!

All the info for the Munny Madness Show:

You get a Munny...
You make your Munny unique...
You bring it to Paris In Plantsville for the coolest toy show of the holiday season!

THIS WILL BE A CHARITY EVENT WITH 30% OF ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO THE STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION

Submission Fees: $5.00 for 1, $10 for 2, After two submissions; infinite submissions for FREE!!!

The First 40 Entries receive a FREE Kidrobot Key Chain!!!

Official dates :
Drop offs start December 3rd through December 10th
Opening gala will be December 17th at 7pm - 11p

But start making your Munny (or Trikky, or Rooz, or Foomi, and so on) now!

Pick them up at Blick in Plainville, CT and tell them we sent you.
And check out www.kidrobot.com/munnyworld for ideas and fun!

Monday Song 2 - I Should Have Known - Foo Fighters

2011-11-28T08:26:00.000-05:00

This Video Sucks Contest: Directed by Daniel Fickle

Monday Song - Walk - Foo Fighters

2011-11-28T07:25:00.000-05:00

Foo Fighters had a contest recently where fans could make videos, here is one of the videos they liked! I'll be posting another one later today.

This Video Sucks Contest: Directed by Phil Hodges

Munny Madness In Progress!

2011-11-27T00:32:00.003-05:00

Here he is in pieces and some of the body in color...

Drop off dates at Paris In Plantsville for your Munny are 12/3 - 12/10 and the show opens 12/17!

MUNNY MADNESS!!!

2011-11-26T00:22:00.000-05:00

MUNNY MADNESS is coming to Paris In Plantsville!!!

So what is Munny Madness?

A Munny is a vinyl doll that comes pretty plain, usually white, made by Kid Robot.

You can take said doll and paint it, color it, cut it, dress it... Customize it to whatever you want!

And Paris In Plantsville is doing a whole show of them in December!

And you can do one too and be part of the show! Click here for more info on that...

This one is the one I'm working on. It's a Munny called "Trikky"...

This is how it looks fresh out of the box.

Over the next few days I'll post pics of the progress!

Happy "Black Friday"!

2011-11-25T09:37:00.000-05:00

Josh & Todd Movie Trailer

2011-11-23T08:50:00.000-05:00

Who Is Going With Me Tomorrow?

2011-11-22T08:01:00.000-05:00

Monday Song - Keep Fishin' - Weezer

2011-11-21T05:57:00.001-05:00

Guns N' Roses Week.... Encore!

2011-11-20T19:20:00.002-05:00

No, this wasn't the encore... But it is footage from last nite!

Say whatever you want about the new Guns N' Roses... But let me tell you. This is a band, a group. Not just a bunch of hired musicians like so many so called classic bands are now. This guys played to make each other sound good, they played off and with each other. They cared for the old songs and killed it on all the new ones... And I've never heard Axl sound so good...

And they weren't even that late! Hahaha! They hit the stage at 11:30 and played till 3:30 AM!!!

Never a dull moment, and it was killer song after another...

Thanks Tricky for wanting to go!

So bittersweet, this tragedy...

2011-11-19T07:15:00.002-05:00

The last day of Guns N' Roses week...

This clip is recent... Very recent... Really looking forward for tonite.

This week has been brought to you by Rock 'n' Roll and my love for my friend Tricky.

This is no disrespect for anyone else in my life, but Tricky is one of the reason's I keep going.

He's an inspiration to me. He's my brother from another mother.

Lucky to have you in my life man, and tonite we get to act like 18 year olds again. At least for a few hours...

Don't hang your head in sorrow, and please don't cry

2011-11-18T05:02:00.000-05:00

In May or June 1992 Gn'R did a pay-per-view concert...

I got a few buddies to chip in five bucks each and ordered the show.

We were still in high school and my folks and brother were leaving town for the night, and they actually OK'ed me having a party...

I'd love to see what Tricky has to say about that nite...

Anyway here's Don't Cry from that show

Animal!

2011-11-18T05:01:00.000-05:00

Sick of this life, not that you'd care...

2011-11-17T05:05:00.001-05:00

This is a clip from the first Gn'R show I saw with Tricky... March 1993...

I was looking for any clips from the second time we saw then together in 2002, but nothing really came up... Oh well...

You Like To Hurt Me, You Know That You Do...

2011-11-16T07:21:00.002-05:00

Here's a song from Gun N' Roses latest album... But not there version... When you're done watching this, check out the YouTube page it came from, this woman is amazing.

"Sorry" is also one of my faves on Chinese Democracy...

You can't fool yourself, you came in this world alone

2011-11-15T06:32:00.000-05:00

So I texted Tricky right after I posted on Sunday that this is Gn'R week, letting him know...

And I was expecting a "Fuckin' A" text or something.

But instead he punched me in the gut...

The text read "When you're talking to yourself..."

That S.O.B.... Hahahaha...

So here's "Estranged"

Dedicated to Tricky; my soul brother, and to J.R. Calvo, my other soul brother

Thank you both for being there for me whenever I have need you

Monday Song- Sweet Child O' Mine -Guns N' Roses

2011-11-14T03:02:00.000-05:00

11/19!

Guns N' Roses Week

2011-11-13T15:54:00.001-05:00

Today starts Guns N' Roses week on this blog...

Tricky and I are going to see them Saturday nite in Hartford... So to share how happy I am I'm gonna force Gn'R on everyone who reads this blog...

So here's some vintage Elmwood Puppets making fun of the fact Chinese Democracy had yet to come out... 2003 or 2004... I don't remember!

Art

2011-11-13T00:57:00.003-05:00

Creepy Jon

acrylic on canvas, portrait of a puppet

Ahh, New England

2011-11-09T08:37:00.001-05:00

I'll be returning to the blogging in a few days...
Still no net at the homespace...

Monday Song - My My - Seven Mary Three

2011-11-07T06:46:00.000-05:00

Kermit the Frog

2011-11-04T06:35:00.000-04:00

Monday Song - Ice Age - Joy Division

2011-10-31T18:33:00.000-04:00

King Tiki Tiki's Shack of Amazement!

2011-10-31T05:15:00.000-04:00

Look for a ton more of Steve and his friends in 2012!

Welcome To The Jungle On Halloween Part 2

2011-10-30T08:55:00.001-04:00

Summer 1990...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Devil's Nite... Tomorrow nite...

2011-10-29T01:02:00.000-04:00

Join me at Paris In Plantsville for a free screening of

"The Crow"

at 8PM 10/30!

Miss Piggy...

2011-10-28T04:33:00.000-04:00

Day 5 of sick...

2011-10-27T10:41:00.001-04:00

Started feeling sick on Sunday...

It kicked my ass Monday and Tuesday...

Slept most of yesterday...

Back to the day job today, we'll see how it goes.

As long as I'm better by NEXT weekend!!!

Then after that... Back to puppet making!

"The Muppets"

2011-10-26T11:29:00.001-04:00

28ish Days till "The Muppets" hits in the U.S.!!!

As much as that makes me happy, I currently feel like crap.

I'm sick, boo me... Hahahaha...

Monday Song - Tourniquet - Marilyn Manson

2011-10-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome To The Jungle On Halloween

2011-10-23T08:55:00.000-04:00

Summer 1990...

Parliament Funkadelic - Standing On the Verge of Gettin' It On - Houston...

2011-10-22T10:03:00.000-04:00

Saturday Morning Funk...

Just because

Meanwhile in the American Public School Systems...

2011-10-21T05:59:00.001-04:00

See the whole movie tonite!

At Paris In Plantsville!

"It's Not Easy Having A Good Time. Even Smiling Makes My Face Ache."

2011-10-21T04:01:00.000-04:00

Click the Pic!

Dammit Janet...

2011-10-20T08:44:00.002-04:00

Uggh.... Not feeling well...

Anyway....

Eric Kicks Art Ass

And Rocky Horror Tomorrow Nite!

Science Fiction Double Feature Picture Show...

2011-10-19T07:38:00.000-04:00

This Friday nite!

Hang out with me at Paris In Plantsville!

Laugh a lot and throw toast!!!

"What ever happened to Fay Wray?"

That 's the question posed by Dr. Frank-n-Furter poses to the audience in the 1975 classic film

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show"...

As part of the Halloween Season we'll be screening several films....

Join us 10/21 for a fee screening of Richard O'Brien's legendary musical and bring your props for the audience participation event!

Following "Rocky Horror" will be the Richard Elfman film "The Forbidden Zone"!

A musical movie as strange a s strange gets featuring music from Danny Elfman's Oingo Boingo and starring the legendary little person Herve Villechaize!

Two R-Rated Horror Musicals on one wild nite!

More here!

For more on all our Halloween events use this link:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179608375430256

Art I Own...

2011-10-18T05:27:00.000-04:00

"Jon's New Hair"

2010 by Jordan Deschene

Unlike last week's post which is art I've done, this is art I own. I've managed to get a good little collection going, so every now and then I'll share one here.

This one is by Jordan, my good friend and brother at Paris In Plantsville, and somehow the subject matter looks really familiar...

Monday Song - Welcome To My Nightmare - Alice Cooper

2011-10-17T04:12:00.001-04:00

Welcome To The Jungle 3

2011-10-16T08:54:00.000-04:00

Spring 1990...

Creative Types -Christian Ayala

2011-10-15T01:38:00.000-04:00

Chris... I met him early in the year at a Paris In Plantsville event, for the first anniversary. Soon after he kept popping up everywhere I went, I thought he was stalking me.

But he wasn't (maybe) he's just a madman who is everywhere...

And he finds time to do art.

And he fashions himself a clown. Although I have never seen him juggle.

His work is awesome, from making bowling pins fun to look at, to turning skateboards into works of art, to painting on chicks, and his illustrations and cartoons art always great too.

I'm glad to have gotten to know him and call this madman a friend.

So use the pictures below as links and check out his work!

And don't forget the Madness of Halloween at Paris In Plantsville this month hosted by

Mr. Ayala himself!!!

Aliens!!!

2011-10-14T02:56:00.000-04:00

They are coming or you Gabe!

Art

2011-10-13T00:11:00.000-04:00

Touching The Skin

Ink on Bristol Board, comic book page

This is part of the art show at Paris In Plantsville: Halloween Extravaganza!

running from 10/15 to 11/1.

An attractive bunch...

2011-10-12T00:33:00.002-04:00

Ladies in Gentlemen, weighing in at one million pounds of awesome and sexy;

The Elmwood Productions Crew 2011...

left to right:

Tricky Pete Lucco

Shane McNeal

Russ Bird

Evil Jim Williams

Rachel Ryan

Gabe Finkinstein

Jaime Williams

Jon Bristol

and

Chris Chinaman Ly

I know it's now early for this but... Thanks guys for an awesome year of puppet madness!

Etsy

2011-10-11T08:49:00.000-04:00

Shameless self-promotions here...

Elmwood Puppets have an Etsy Page!!!

Buy our puppets and stuff!

Monday Song - Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party

2011-10-10T07:01:00.000-04:00

Welcome To The Jungle Part 2

2011-10-09T08:53:00.000-04:00

Fall 1989...

Is That Freedom Rock, Man?

2011-10-08T01:23:00.000-04:00

Amanda's Mom

2011-10-07T00:01:00.000-04:00

Amanda, Thank you for being a friend

The Three Stooges

2011-10-06T00:06:00.001-04:00

Sean, Jon, Jordan

Mouth Puppets

Sean

2011-10-05T00:01:00.001-04:00

Sean

Mouth Puppet

Sean makes an appearance in an upcoming Steve the Vampire episode!

Tomorrow we see The Three Stooges!

Jordan

2011-10-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

Jordan

Mouth Puppet

Monday Song - Welcome To The Jungle - Guns N' Roses

2011-10-03T03:52:00.000-04:00

Welcome To The Jungle

2011-10-02T08:52:00.000-04:00

Summer 1989...

Harvesting The Harbinger

2011-10-01T03:46:00.000-04:00

Harvesting The Harbinger: The Artwork of Clinton Deckert
Clinton's a great human being and amazing artist!

Come check out his work!

Opening Reception Tonite at Paris In Plantsville!

More Info Here

Posting... Every day(ish)

2011-09-30T03:16:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I started A Puppet A Day... Had the 365 days of puppets as originally planned, and kept the puppets coming too from time to time...

And I've just been using the blog as fun place, so I've decided for the year of 10/1/2011 to 10/1/2012 I'm going to try and post something every day. I've been kinda doing it September too...

Puppets, lyrics I've written and not written, other peoples puppets, drawings and art, links to stuff, weird old videos, weird new videos, whatever's on my mind, pictures of my cats... Whatever I want... And it starts today!

With the pictures below... From shooting with Elmwood Productions this past summer on the show Gamrz

Gabe!

I think it's funny that people who play role playing games have rules for social skills within the game, but never really learned many useful ones in real life. Hahaha...

Me and Tricky hamming it up on a break

Jim, Russ, and Jaime puppeteering (and Shane too, but you can't see him)

Learning the lines...

Brie came, took pics and even ran the camera!

Chris with Mel

Shane is unamused, but Rachel is...

Jim, most likely making a ridiculous demand

Oh the puppets

And more puppets....

Monday Song - Simon's Lament

2011-09-26T08:01:00.000-04:00

Simon Sinister

Russ and Liz!!!

2011-09-24T13:08:00.000-04:00

So I'm taking a break this morning. A break from choosing between a Kermit the Frog tie and a white shirt, or a bright yellow tie and a bright orange shirt.

Shirt and tie... Somebody's getting married!

Liz... I'm glad I was there all those years ago to egg Russ on to ask ya out when you started working at Borders...

And I'm glad he did...

Russ... You're a brother to me, I love you man. Totally hetro, since you are getting married.

Someday you two will have the most eco-friendly Muppet looking kids, and I'm going to teach them armpit farts.

Happy Birthday to the men who are Kermit...

2011-09-24T10:15:00.007-04:00

Kermit and Rowlf Perform Rainbow Connection

at Disney Legends Ceremony This Past Summer...

Jim Henson was inducted as a Disney Legend this year...

This was inconjunction with "The Muppets"

coming out on Thanksgiving,

and with his 75th Birthday,which would have been today.

The video above is from that event.

Jim did a ton of amazing things.

Too many for me to list here, that's for sure.

One thing I do want to mention is the talent he harvested.

He wasn't afraid to give new talent a chance.

The video above is absolute proof.

Kermit the Frog and Rowlf the Dog were two of

Jim's characters as a performer.

Legends say Bill Baretta started out working at the Sesame Place amusement park

and Steve Whitmire took a train from Atlanta to New York

and knocked on the Henson Company door...

Bill is now Rowlf, and Steve has Kermit since 1990.

And that's awesome.

So, Happy 75th Birthday Mr. Henson...

And Mr. Whitmire... Happy Birthday to you too!

Keep those arms up!

Monday Song - Angel

2011-09-19T05:06:00.000-04:00

Mr. Matt Nathanson

What a week...!

2011-09-18T05:50:00.000-04:00

I'm going to keep it as short as possible...

Hit four years with Brie... She is still the best. Ever.

We went to NY to see Jim Henson's Fantastic World... And I'm inspired all over again.

Brie even hooked me up with a awesome t-shirt... Featuring a Jim Henson quote I often steal for my own work...

Got a cool package from my Aunt Rita with another awesome Muppety shirt...

And now a day off... In the studio!

Monday Song on a Sunday Morning...

2011-09-11T09:11:00.000-04:00

Too alarming now to talk about.

Take those pictures down and shake it out.

Truth or consequence, say it aloud.

Use that evidence, race it around.

There goes my hero,

Watch him as he goes.

There goes my hero,

He's ordinary!

Don't the best of them bleed it out,

While the rest of them peter out?

Truth or consequence, say it aloud.

Use that evidence, race it around.

There goes my hero,

Watch him as he goes.

There goes my hero,

He's ordinary!

*Kudos* my hero,

Leaving all the mess.

You know my hero,

The one that's on.

There goes my hero,

Watch him as he goes.

There goes my hero,

He's ordinary!

(Foo Fighters)

Paris In Plantsville - One Year Later!

2011-09-10T00:47:00.002-04:00

Late July of 2010 I asked my friend Joe Bun Keo "Whose dick do I have to suck to get some Elmwood films screened at Paris In Plantsville?"

He responed with "Mine."

And we we off. A week or two later Joe Calvo I was at the weekly meeting the Paris In Plantsville resident artists have to go over what shows are coming up, critique work, plan events and so on.

We were there to pitch a screening. So I chatted up what Elmwood does and then we went over to a computer and watched a couple videos. It was a go.

Then a date was set, Labor Day Weekend, Saturday.

So in classic Elmwood fashion we decided to shoot, edit, and complete a new "Steve the Vampire" short. And we pulled it off. "Steve the Vampire Meets Dracula" was ready, along with a collection of our "greatest hits". An hour of shorts. During this time, getting ready for the screening, I kept going to the Paris In Plantsville meetings, just to keep up to date and so on. And I got to know the guys, and really gelled with them. It was a fun and inspiring place to be.

On September 4, 2010 we had the screening, and it went off without a hitch. Huge crowd and everyone was laughing at all the right things.

Out of respect I went back to the next meeting. And at the meeting I was nominated by Joe to be a resident. The general manager, Jordan, stepped in to say there would be a vote. And only a vote if I was interested. I had never thought of it. But I said "Hell Yes".

The next nite I hop online to check my email and so on...

And I see an announcement on Facebook. Jon Bristol - New Resident Artist.

Somehow I didn't get the call, ha ha... But what a cool way to find out!

So it's been a year. An amazing fun, productive, educational, exciting, inspiring year. And I wouldn't trade it for anything... And I'm not going anywhere...

So here are some shameless plugs for my Paris Brothers, past and present...

Thanks to all of you...

and don't forget to check out Paris' page too!