Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 10:43:40 -0800
Subject: PUPT: Salem the Cat Versions


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First of all, know that neither Viacom nor ABC thought a realistic cat
puppet could become a supporting actor on "Sabrina the Teenage Witch".  AM!
was supposed to just make some nice stuffies to use in the background only.
The real cat, would take all the close ups, with some peanut butter
carefully placed in its mouth (to encourage chewing or "talking").

Viacom took almost 2 months of consideration to contract AM! with less than
2 weeks to shoot.

I knew the puppet would do great, even though nothing had really been done
like this before in episodic TV.  So, in the two weeks, we built two
animatronic versions (sitting and laying) that performed pretty well.   The
work was so hurried, and the shooting schedule so crazy, that we couldn't
tweak their look until halfway through the season.

Viacom had official ABC network approval on the first season version of
Salem, but I knew it could be so much better.  So, on our own (again), we
made new Season 2 versions, that I feel were an improvement.  ABC and Viacom
both agreed upon seeing them in action.

-Jim


-- 
Animal Makers Inc.
Designing and Performing Signature Characters for the
Advertising and Entertainment Industries Since 1979
Creative Director, Jim Boulden
Phone 818-838-3440 / Fax 818-838-3441
Located 15 minutes drive from Hollywood, California
~
See the puppet performing:
<http://www.animalmakers.com/AMItv/STTW1.html>
General Info:
<http://www.animalmakers.com/QuickRefGuide.html> 

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