File puptcrit/puptcrit.0601, message 61


Date: Sun, 08 Jan 2006 22:36:58 -0500
From: "Kate Robinson" <nausetsunrise-AT-verizon.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] it's a big, big world or whatever


Ah, puppets on t.v.  I rented a videotape of The Nutcracker ballet once.  It 
was TERRIBLE!  lots of "close ups" of the dancers, with missing set 
visualization and very distracting for something meant to be seen "whole".

As far as kids are concerned, in general, I would rather see them at LIVE 
puppet shows with their parents, as varied forms ALL work in live 
performance.

Alas, I know I dream here and that work must be done on tv.  Now puppets are 
for "babies"?  What a loss, since puppets are most appreciated the OLDER you 
get, in my opinion and yet are appropriate for all ages.

Just my musing here and wish that more people went to live performances of 
EVERY kind and stayed away from that evil glowing box (or narrow rectangle 
as they're all becoming now).  We don't have tv in our house, just use a tv 
as a monitor for dvd movies (no cable, zero reception--perfect!).  Instead 
of watching Seseme St., my kids played with their own puppets and got taken 
to shows.  At upwards of $75. a month, any family having cable and giving it 
up could afford to attend one live performance a month, or for major shows, 
one every two to four months.  In between they can go to concerts on the 
common in towns, library presentations and they can play games, draw, put on 
their own puppet shows, etc. at home.

Ah, but that would involved parents interacting with their kids...hmmm, 
easier to put on t.v. I guess.

Thanks for "listening"...Keep up all the important puppetry work knowing you 
do have fans and advocates!
Kate
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jared Jenkins" <jaredjenkins-AT-earthlink.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 11:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] it's a big, big world or whatever


> I've worked on the production side of a number of network TV shows
> both puppet and animation.  From my perspective, producers (and more
> importantly networks) want to use what they know works.  On "Between
> the Lions" we tried to use a number of puppetry styles; shadow, rod
> puppets, marionettes, sicilian marionettes, object theater, etc.
> Unfortunately, research showed that kids preferred animation over any
> of the puppets.  Research seems to show that kids feel puppets are
> for babies.  Hence why Sesame skews to a younger demographic these
> days than when it first aired and why networks buy puppet shows for
> preschoolers and animation for older kids.  Since they are looking at
> puppets for preschoolers, they want designs that are soft, colorful
> and inviting, not only to attract the kids attention, but also to
> entice the kids to bug their parents to buy the plush and other
> merchandise (which is a large consideration during the design phase
> of any network show).
>
> So basically networks want to use what will sell more product and get
> them a higher rating, so as Liz said they use what has a track record
> rather than take a chance on something unknown.  Which is the same as
> the rest of the entertainment industry hence all the remakes,
> sequels, knock-offs, etc you see on TV and film.
>
> Jared
>
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