Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

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Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey is a documentary film about the life and career of Kevin Clash. The film was directed by Constance Marks and debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2011. It will air on PBS on April 5, 2012, with an encore presentation airing on April 9th.^[1]

Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, the documentary features archival footage, including Clash puppeteering as a teenager with his own handmade puppets, as well as interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O'Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney, Caroll Spinney, Fran Brill, Marty Robinson, and Bill Barretta.

The Park City premiere of the film was sold out on January 4, weeks before the screening. It was attended by Kevin Clash, Elmo, Carol-Lynn Parente and the filmmakers. It was followed by a Q&A session with Clash, Elmo, and Tau Bennett, an 8-year old puppeteer that Clash is mentoring. Brian Muehl was in attendance as well, surprising Clash after the Q&A, who in return pointed out to those still in the auditorium that this was "the original Elmo."

At the Sundance Awards Ceremony on January 29, 2011, the film received the Special Jury Prize: Documentary "For creating a documentary for ALL ages." The award was presented by Jess Search, of the Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation.

Upcoming release plans include:

United States: theatrical release, Submarine; television, PBS series Independent Lens, in April 2012; DVD release, New Video, VOD release, New Video;
Canada: theatrical release, Mongrel Media;
Australia: theatrical release, Madman Entertainment;
New Zealand: theatrical release, Madman Entertainment;
South Africa: theatrical release, Madman Entertainment.

Credits

Produced by Constance Marks Productions, Inc.

Director: Constance Marks
Producer: Constance Marks, James Miller and Corinne LaPook
Composer: Joel Goodman
Cinematographer: James Miller
Editor: Philip Shane and Justin Weinstein
Assistant Editor: Roger Matthews
Codirector: Philip Shane

Reviews

SundanceFilmFestival2011-BeingElmo-SpecialJuryPrize-Acceptance — Accepting the Special Jury Prize: Documentary.

Roger Ebert: We...learn a lot of the tricks behind giving the muppets such distinctive personality. (Review)
Reuters: "With six years in production, veteran doc filmmaker Marks was able to expertly weave together the strands of Clash's career, combining archival sources and generous interviews with the performer and his many admirers. Whoopi Goldberg provides suitably sparse, incisive narration, while the priceless footage of Clash performing Elmo on TV and for live audiences gets to the core of the effusive enjoyment he takes performing for youngsters. Although the filmmakers could have provided more background on how the character of Elmo was developed and his integral role on Sesame Street, the little monster does a pretty good job of speaking for himself... "Being Elmo" is a rare documentary that will connect across generations and cultures to delight viewers worldwide for years to come."
New York Post: "One of the chief pleasures of Sundance is wandering into a movie that you think couldn't possibly amount to anything much and being knocked out by it. The documentary "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey," which should make Kevin Clash a household name, is an inspiring and joyous celebration of art, skill, determination and making kids happy... Clash is a remarkable talent, a true master of his field, and the importance of what he does is considerable. Sick children apparently have asked to meet Elmo as their dying wish. If you can watch one such encounter without crying, you're a stronger man than I. Clash, pro that he is, doesn't cry. Because where there is Elmo, there must be happiness."
Look at OKC: "As director Constance Marks proves in her detailed and surprisingly emotional documentary “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey,” Clash's love of the art form eventually led him to create one of the most popular characters in children's television."
The Sentinel: "Being Elmo is not a sappy kiddiefest; in fact, it may not appeal to the very young. It’s an object lesson, as critic Marc Savlof says, “in the ultimate power of believing in oneself and persevering against long odds and ridicule from others."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: 3 stars out of 4 (good)