BIG APPLE COMIC CON

It was May 21, 2011 and we had a rapturous time. May 22nd too.
IT WAS WIZARD WORLD/BIG APPLE COMIC CON!
We were surrounded by Superheroes in Spandex and Comic-book Artists in their element, yet there we were with our television puppets from so many childhoods.
And the response was ecstatic!
So (so) many people would spot us - - look away -- look back and go OH MY GOD!!! as the memories of long ago flash-flooded to the forefront of their present.
(click on the pictures)

See TITO SWING on my right? I had him positioned so that as folks would notice him he would wink at them. You should've seen the double takes!
Some people were crazy for the Juke Box Band from SHINING TIME STATION. DJ KAT pulled a strong response too. Others went weepy for PINWHEEL. Bobby Moynihan from Saturday Night Live stopped by to say hello to the Hobo Bugs he watched as a kid. (He took a picture with the puppets. I asked him to e it to me and if he does I'll post it. Bobby was terrific!)

We were also visited by fellow puppeteer James Wojtal. . .
A great experience. To have planted our imaginations into so many young minds and to have had it take root was a wonderful confirmation. The puppets (who have aged far less than the rest of us!) could not have been happier!
We are so looking forward to launching our next puppet project. Stay tooned.

Here is the official website:

http://www.wizardworld.com/home-newyork.html

http://www.wizardworld.com/craigmarin.html

PUPPETS THROUGH THE LENS

FLEXITOON participated in a cool exhibit at the University of CT School of Puppetry

It was called PUPPETS THROUGH THE LENS.

We displayed the PINWHEEL PUPPETS from Nickelodeon

(below, with Olga and me)

As well as the Juke Box Band puppets and marionettes from

SHINING TIME STATION

The exhibit took place in April '08 and it was great fun.

Many thanks to BART ROCCOBERTON and his terriffic team

for creating such a memorable memory.

FUN & GAMES

In the very early 80's, at the same time we were performing on Nickelodeon's PINWHEEL, Olga & I were hired to teach puppet making on a (then) new home entertainment format called a VIDEO DISC. It was released as "FUN & GAMES" and was the first interactive product on the market. Along with us, BILL MURRAY taught Tongue Twisters and MEADOWLARK LEMON showed how to dribble a basketball. I just found the clip.

HOBO BUGS THE MINUTE THEY WERE BORN

Hi Lulu. Hi Herbert. Now get to work!

BEHIND THE SCENES

"PINWHEEL"

(NICKELODEON)

"SHINING TIME STATION"

(PBS)

Craig & Olga THE PUPPETEERZ

When we started working together, we TradeMarked our company

Our first TV job was a pilot for a series called "ROARING DONUTS."

Me 'n O with one of the stars, GOONEY BIRD (center).

ROARING DONUTS starred STUBBY KAYE (Marryin' Sam in the film Lil' Abner) and was produced by DON KIRSCHNER (Yes, the Don Kirschner of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert fame. He liked us and was very supportive.)

Then we got a call from a fledgling network that wanted marionettes for a new series. Some of you might have heard of the network? It was called NICKELODEON, and the series was PINWHEEL! This was very exciting because there really was no one else doing marionettes on TV at that time, so it was opportunity to introduce our things-on-strings to a whole new generation of viewers.

Hello to all you Pinwheelers - - we loved doing the show for you!! Here are a few seminal moments . . .

A just born LULU THE HOBO BUG meets her twin brother HERBERT when he is alas, just a head.

Me, stringing a newly hatched ADMIRAL BIRD.

Olga, dolling up LULU in Ebeneezer's basement set.

And now, one moment and two seconds of PINWHEEL.

Check back this weekend for the second exciting installment of the Captain Kevin Show.