We have LAN'ded!

You may have noticed a certain ambiguity in some of our more recent posts.  For the past several weeks we have been invited into the welcoming arms of a project currently in production at Point Park University in Pittsburgh (my alma mater).

Headed up by my good friend, Aaron Amendola, rehearsals have been progressing well on a future web series called LAN'ded (check out the blog here).

"LAN'ded follows Christian Bartholomew III, an 

  introverted young man who wakes up one day to 

  discover he is living with his imaginary friends 

  Izzy and Natalie.  In this homage to childhood, 

  Christian must decide whether he wants to remain 

  comfortable and happy in his world of imagination, 

  or if he wants to risk it all and - go outside..."

As you may have guessed, puppets make fantastic imaginary friends - and we are extremely proud to say that we have been asked to create two characters for the series!

Be sure to check back as things develop - the design and build process will be VERY quick as the reading takes place on March 29...

Wish us luck!

Thanks Dan!

A few days ago, I happened upon a puppet blog I hadn't seen before. It looked like it had been around for a while, but that it had recently been adding new posts more frequently. I quickly decided to follow and the next time I went back, to my surprise, there WE were...well, Toby the Zombie Baby, that is!

Check it out here. Puppet Builder, has covered some pretty cool topics including the Tally Hall video, Lucy Knisley, and those 22 ft. tall spectacle marionettes. (I love those things...) If you look back through the posts, you can see a lot of great topics have been covered.

I like where the new burst of blogs are headed and I'm really hoping that we'll get a look at some more of the up and coming puppet builders out there. We're excited to have been featured.

Dan from Puppet Builder, thanks from all of us here at puppetFix and Fisticuff Puppets.

This is Snoop Otter Otter, one of Dan's puppets we immediately recognized from the gallery on the Project Puppet website. I wonder if we'll be seeing any new creations in the near future.



Coming Soon:
-Kyle's Whatnot makes a video
-A New Puppet!
and...
-A BIG Announcement

An Epic Tale - Part 4 (the conclusion)

Adoption is so much easier when dealing with puppets...

Soon I am presented with the subsequently named Duane Reade...  He stares at me from inside his plastic backpack home, begging to come out and play.  Sadly, however, I have no time to answer this call.  We are in New York City - home of tourism, Broadway shows, and street vendor food.

There is much to be done!

We hurriedly continue our journey (with Duane Reade in tow) to the Broadway Theatre to see Shrek the Musical.  After taking in the show - which includes John Tartaglia! (Avenue Q, Sesame Street, Johnny and the Sprites, etc) - braving the frigid elements we stake our post outside the stage door.  Also in the show was Aymee Garcia (Big, Big World, Avenue Q, Les Miserables).  Much to my surprise, also attending the show that night was none other than Fran Brill (best known as Zoe from Sesame Street)!  Of course she had worked with "Johnny" before and had come to see his performance.  After overcoming the initial shock of being recognized, Fran was quick to burst with pride at John's performance.  I mentioned my current job and she insisted we all take a picture... and I could not have agreed more!

(John Tartaglia, friend Megan, Me, Fran Brill)

It was a wonderful end to an already momentous day.

     _____     _____     _____     _____     

Be sure to check back for video of Duane in action!  We also hope to officially announce some exciting news next week...  MUA HA HA HA HAAAAA!!!

An Epic Tale - Part 3

It was a time of growth, a time of change, a perfect opportunity to GO GREEN!  (at the time they were out of blue and orange bodies...)

My Magical Mistress of Muppet Mayhem brings forth the Colorforms (a childhood favorite) and we go to town.  There isn't anyone else in the workshop at the time, so the creative process proceeds uninhibited.  Small talk progresses into discussing my current occupation - which explains my inherent pickiness in the final product!

Having made my selection, I take a literal step back from the event.  I would soon have a Muppet to call my own!  She plugs in her glue gun and starts working her magic... inviting me, in the meantime, to try my hand with Whatnot Weird Al!

As the Adhesive Ace attaches my fleece friends features, I patiently wait...  It is nearly the end.

An Epic Tale - Part 2

I am greeted and overwhelmed by colors and characters abound.  There are signed portraitures, witty signs, and - DISMEMBERED BODY PARTS?!

As I take in the displays around me I recognize bits and pieces of my childhood...  There are Statler and Waldorf - dissected!  Janice's leg, and her head - sans mouth and signature lips!  Kermit's flipper!  Gonzo's - well... shape?  It was just too much to handle!!!  But before I am able to rally the masses to free what is left of them, I am reassured by a familiar voice as Kermit explains what life is like with the Whatnots.

Taking a deep breath, I notice that I have been watched by a smiling young lady wearing an awesome apron!  (I wish I had a picture of the aprons [which are NOT for sale], but I didn't want to seem that creepy)  She beckons me over to her workdesk - fully stocked with everything needed to create your new best friend!

With the prospective of a new companion, my imagination is set ablaze...  I put on my thinking cap - I crack my knuckles - and I go to work...

~To be continued... again...~

Happy ValentiNes/ValentiMes Day

No matter how you pronounce it, we hope you have a mushy, gushy, love covered Day.

Here's a shot of a real heart Kyle and Joey built way back when...

An Epic Tale - A multipart adventure into a continuous childhood

It was a cold, wintry day in the Big Apple... though not as many seeds as you might expect!

Among other adventures, this journey was a kind of pilgrimage... to a land of enchantment nestled in the hustle and bustle of New York City Streets... It was an expedition to -->

Amidst this overstocked kingdom of wonder stands a plethora of toys, games, and childhood friends... the perfect setting for our tale.  For here we discover a most peculiar sight... Tiny clothing hanging from a rotating line.  Dare my eyes fool me? NO - I have found it!  As I approach the desk I find myself surrounded by some of my dearest friends, and some other colorful strangers.  I am here:

The Muppet Whatnot Workshop!