Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey is a 2011 American documentary film about Kevin Clash, the puppeteer behind the Sesame Street character Elmo who became a rising star and created a global sensation. “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” was one of the most talked about documentaries coming out of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.[1]

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
Theatrical release poster by Scott McDermott
Directed byConstance Marks
Produced byConstance Marks
Corinne LaPook
James Miller
Written byPhilip Shane
Justin Weinstein
Narrated byWhoopi Goldberg
Music byJoel Goodman
CinematographyJames Miller
Distributed bySubmarine Deluxe
Mongrel Media
Madman Entertainment
Release date
  • January 14, 2011 (2011-01-14) (Sundance)
  • October 21, 2011 (2011-10-21) (United States)
Running time
77 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

The film chronicles the journey of puppeteer Kevin Clash, the unlikely voice and mastermind behind Elmo. Focusing on Clash's childhood dreams and early career in Baltimore, Maryland; it covers his first meeting and relationship with Sesame Street creator Jim Henson, puppet maker Kermit Love, and takes you on a journey that is the phenomenal success of Elmo.[2]

Sesame Street camera man James Miller originally filmed Kevin Clash with Elmo looking at photos of Miller's 2 year-old daughter. After showing the footage to Constance Marks, she started thinking maybe this would be a good documentary, seeing the performer behind the muppet. They brought the idea to Kevin Clash who thought it was a great opportunity to talk about the work he loves.[3]

Participants

Thanks
  • Ria Borzak
  • Rickey Boyd
  • Ewan Gotfryd
  • Mike Halsey
  • Mark M. Magner

Release

The film premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and was a Grand Jury Prize nominee, but went on to win the Special Jury Prize. The Hollywood Reporter's Sundance Review for the film stated, "Being Elmo is a rare documentary that will connect across generations and cultures to delight viewers worldwide for years to come."[4]

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 95% based on reviews from 78 critics.[5] The film received warm-hearted reviews by critics when it was released.[6][7][8][9]

Roger Ebert noted "We...learn a lot of the tricks behind giving the muppets such distinctive personality."[10] The New York Post reported: "One of the chief pleasures of Sundance [Film Festival] 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."[11] Look at OKC praised: "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."[12]

References
  1. "Get Warm & Fuzzy With The 'Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey' Trailer". IndieWire. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  2. "'Being Elmo': Covering Raw Talent With Bright Red Fur". NPR. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  3. "Kevin Clash BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEER'S JOURNEY Interview". Collider. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  4. "SUNDANCE REVIEW: 'Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey' Pulls Back the Curtain on Iconic Character". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  5. "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  6. "Movie review: 'Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  7. "MOVIE REVIEW: 'BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEERS JOURNEY' Putting a Face to a Familiar Voice". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  8. "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey - Review". Wired. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  9. "Movie review: 'Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  10. Roger Ebert. "Review: Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey". Ebert Presents. Retrieved 2012-05-13.
  11. "Sundance 2011: "Being Elmo"". Nypost.com. 2011-01-27. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved 2012-05-13.
  12. "Movie review: 'Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey'". NewsOK.com. 1999-02-22. Retrieved 2012-05-13.
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