Selects: How Jim Henson Worked
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, the hosts explore the life and work of puppeteer Jim Henson. Starting with his early ventures into television puppetry during high school, the summary covers Henson's journey from viewing puppetry as children's entertainment to recognizing it as a serious art form after his travels in Europe. The hosts discuss Henson's technical innovations in puppetry, including his use of softer materials for more expressive faces and the development of new performance techniques.
The summary examines Henson's major contributions to television and film, from his work on Sesame Street to The Muppet Show and films like The Dark Crystal. It also details his business approach to maintaining control of his characters and the current state of his legacy, including how different Henson properties are now managed by various entertainment companies while the Henson Company continues to create new works through the Creature Shop.
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1-Page Summary
Henson's Early Life, Education, and Transition to Puppetry and Filmmaking
Born in 1936 in Mississippi, Jim Henson was greatly influenced by his maternal grandmother's creative spirit and artistic talents. While still in high school, he began performing puppet shows on local television, leading to his first show "Sam and Friends" in 1955. According to Chuck Bryant, Henson initially viewed puppetry as "kid stuff" but changed his perspective after traveling through Europe, where he discovered puppetry was respected as a serious art form.
Henson's Innovations in Puppetry on Screen
Josh Clark explains that Henson revolutionized puppetry by using softer materials that allowed for more expressive faces and better close-up camera work. He developed the "platforming up" technique, enabling puppeteers to stand upright while performing. Henson's experimental works, including "The Cube" and the Academy Award-nominated "Timepiece," demonstrated his ability to blend innovative puppetry with sophisticated storytelling.
Henson's Major TV and Film Projects and Impact
In 1969, Henson joined Sesame Street, creating and voicing iconic characters like Big Bird and Kermit the Frog. His breakthrough came with The Muppet Show in 1976, which appealed to both children and adults. Bryant notes that Henson's unique approach was evident in the show's backstage framing, which influenced later shows like 30 Rock. Henson continued pushing boundaries with films like "The Dark Crystal" and "The Labyrinth," while also developing innovative puppeteering technologies like the Henson performance control system.
Henson's Business Acumen and Legacy
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss how Henson's business savvy helped him maintain control of his characters, often repurposing them for different uses. After his death, Henson's family continued his legacy through the Jim Henson Legacy foundation, with his children eventually buying back the company after a brief sale. While Disney now owns the Muppets and "Bear in the Big Blue House" characters, and Sesame Workshop owns the Sesame Street characters, the Henson Company continues to create beloved puppets through the Creature Shop.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- Explore your family history to uncover creative influences by starting a project to document stories from older relatives, which could reveal how their experiences and hobbies might have shaped your own interests and talents.
- Experiment with repurposing materials around your home to create art or functional items, taking inspiration from Henson's use of softer materials for puppetry, to discover new ways of expressing creativity and innovation with what you already have.
- Broaden your perspective on a hobby or interest by researching its history and cultural significance in different parts of the world, similar to how Henson's view of puppetry changed after his travels, which could lead to a deeper appreciation and new approaches to your passion.
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Henson's Early Life, Education, and Transition to Puppetry and Filmmaking
Jim Henson's early experiences and his transition into puppetry and filmmaking are marked by his creative upbringing and his subsequent exposure to puppetry as a respected art form during his travels.
Jim Henson, Born In 1936, Was Inspired by His Creative Grandmother
Jim Henson was born in 1936 in Mississippi. His early life was infused with creativity, with significant influence coming from his maternal grandmother, who was a talented painter, quilter, and needle worker. These handcrafts and her general creative spirit were a big inspiration to young Henson, guiding him to seek out the creative in life.
Henson Created Local TV Shows Showcasing Puppetry
Henson's interest in the performing arts led him to local television while he was still in high school. Here, he performed guest spots that would blossom into a defining aspect of his career. In 1955, "Sam and Friends," one of Henson's early puppet shows, debuted, signifying a solid step into the world of entertainment and puppetry that would continue to define his life's work.
Henson Was Hesitant About Puppetry, Seeing It As "Kid Stuff," but His European Travels Exposed Him to Its Serious Artistry
Initially, Henson was hesitant about committing to puppetry. As Chuck Bryant explains, Henson viewe ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Henson's Early Life, Education, and Transition to Puppetry and Filmmaking
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your family history to uncover creative influences by starting a project that documents the artistic and creative endeavors of your relatives. This could involve creating a family tree that highlights the hobbies, crafts, or professions that showcase creativity, like painting, music, or writing. You might discover a hidden passion or talent that runs in your family, which could inspire you to try new creative activities.
- Experiment with a creative medium you've previously dismissed by dedicating a month to exploring it through online tutorials, local workshops, or self-guided projects. For example, if you've always thought of knitting as just a craft for older generations, challenge that assumption by learning to knit and creating a modern piece like a stylish scarf or a creative wall hanging.
- Plan a 'cultural exchange' experience within your own city by attending performances, ex ...
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Henson's Innovations in Puppetry on Screen
Jim Henson, renowned for revolutionizing puppetry, is discussed by Josh Clark for his critical innovations that brought emotional depth to puppets on screen and integrated puppetry with cinema techniques.
Henson Innovated Softer, Expressive Puppet Materials for Greater Emotional Range and Close-Up Tv Camera Work
Josh Clark explains that Henson discarded the traditional materials like stiff wood marionettes and ventriloquist dummies in favor of softer materials. This allowed creations such as Kermit the Frog to exhibit more expressive faces, an advantage for close-ups on television that made the puppets more engaging and relatable to audiences.
Puppeteers Stand Upright With Henson's Technique
Alongside these material innovations, Jim Henson developed "platforming up," a technique that permits puppeteers to stand upright as they maneuver puppets. This method was not only physically less taxing for the puppeteers but also allowed for more dynamic and lifelike movement from the puppet characters.
Henson Integrated Puppetry and Cinema Techniques to Bring His Puppets To Life On Screen
Henson's foray into experimental cinema, such as his work on "The Cube" for NBC's "Experiment in Television," displays his creativity. It featured a character trapped in a white room where others could freely enter and leave. Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss how these experimental works, includin ...
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Henson's Innovations in Puppetry on Screen
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Counterarguments
- While Henson's use of softer materials was innovative, it could be argued that it was part of a broader trend in entertainment towards more expressive characters, and other creators also contributed to this shift.
- The "platforming up" technique, while beneficial, may not be universally applicable or preferred in all forms of puppetry, where different techniques might be more suitable for certain performances or styles.
- Henson's integration of puppetry with cinema techniques was groundbreaking, but it's important to acknowledge that cinema and puppetry had been intersecting in various ways before Henson, and other artists were also exploring similar integrations.
- Henson's experimental films were indeed innovative, but they may not resonate with all audiences, and some might argue that the abstract nature of these works could obscu ...
Actionables
- You can explore emotional expression through crafting by creating simple sock puppets with various textures and materials. Start by gathering socks, buttons, yarn, and fabric scraps to make puppets with different facial expressions. Experiment with the materials to see how each texture can convey a different emotion, much like Henson's use of softer materials for a greater emotional range.
- Enhance your storytelling skills by filming a short narrative using your phone and any available figurines or homemade puppets. Focus on using camera angles and lighting to add depth to the story, similar to how Henson integrated cinema techniques with puppetry. This will help you understand the impact of visual elements on storytelling.
- Develop your visual storytelling by creating a photo comic strip using to ...
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Henson's Major Tv and Film Projects and Impact
The work of Jim Henson transcends just his puppet creations, having made significant marks in television, film, and beyond, which continue to have an enduring impact on viewers and the industry.
Henson's Sesame Street: Merging Educational Passion With Puppet Expertise
Jim Henson's involvement with Sesame Street began in 1969 when he was invited to work on the pilot episode created by the Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop). Henson made an indelible mark by creating and voicing most of the iconic characters, including Big Bird and Kermit the Frog.
Henson Created Iconic Sesame Street Characters Like Big Bird and Kermit
Not only did Henson play an integral role in the crafting of Sesame Street’s characters like Big Bird, but he had also designed Kermit, which predates the show, with an initial appearance eerily lizard-like. Kermit's fame extended beyond the program as he made guest appearances on talk shows, including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant highlight Jim Henson's talent in creating lifelike interactions with puppets, further contributing to his characters' seamless on-screen presence.
Muppet Show: Premiered 1976, Groundbreaking Program Brought Henson's Muppets Global Fame, Solidified Enduring Popularity
Jim Henson's big break came in 1975 when Lord Lou Grade offered him the opportunity to produce The Muppet Show at Grade’s ATV Studios in London, leading to the show's premiere in 1976.
Henson's Muppet Films Showcasing Humor, Heart, and Technical Wizardry
The Muppet Show was not just a children's favorite but also charmed adults, suggesting an appeal to a mature sense of humor. The critical praise and awards affirmed its global success. Beyond the TV show, the Muppet films, like The Muppet Movie, showcased Henson's humor, heart, and technical innovation. Bryant notes Jim Henson's dedication to doing things differently, which was evident in The Muppet Show's unique backstage framing, later mirrored in modern shows such as 30 Rock.
Henson's Exploration of New Thematic and Stylistic Avenues in Puppetry
Jim Henson's artistic journey involved continuously exploring new thematic and stylistic avenues in puppetry. He pushed the boundaries of his puppeteering work by exploring new themes and styles, such as his surreal sketch The Floating Face, featured on The Tonight Show and The Mike Douglas Show in the 1960s.
Henson's Works Ce ...
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Henson's Major Tv and Film Projects and Impact
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Counterarguments
- While Jim Henson did create many iconic characters for Sesame Street, it's important to note that Big Bird was actually created by Kermit Love and performed by Caroll Spinney, not Henson himself.
- The global fame of The Muppet Show can overshadow the contributions of other puppeteers and writers who were essential to the show's success, not just Jim Henson.
- The Muppet Show, while innovative, was not without its critics; some felt that the humor occasionally relied too heavily on slapstick or simplistic jokes.
- The Muppet films, though showcasing Henson's creativity, varied in critical and commercial success, with some films being less well-received than others.
- Henson's exploration of darker themes in works like "The Dark Crystal" was groundbreaking, but it also divided audiences, with some finding the themes too intense for a younger audience.
- "The Labyrinth," while now considered a cult classic, was not a commercial success at the time of its release, which suggests that ...
Actionables
- You can explore the art of storytelling by creating a puppet character with household items. Start by choosing a character trait or emotion you want to express, then find objects around your home like socks, buttons, or yarn to craft a simple puppet. Use your creation to tell stories to friends or family, focusing on humor and heart, much like Jim Henson's approach.
- Try your hand at technical innovation by filming a short skit using your phone and a homemade puppet. Experiment with different camera angles, lighting, and editing techniques to add depth to your puppet's performance. This activity will give you a taste of the behind-the-scenes magic that goes into puppetry and film.
- Develop your own version of a performance control syst ...
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Henson's Business Acumen and Legacy
Jim Henson was not just a creative genius but also a savvy businessman, which played a crucial role in the success and lasting impact of his company and creations.
Savvy Businessman Henson Retained Muppet Rights to Build a Successful Company
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss how Jim Henson retained rights to his characters, ensuring control and flexibility over his creations. For example, Clark outlines that Henson repurposed characters for different uses—one famous instance being the character that later became known as Cookie Monster originally designed for a chip maker. Rowlf the dog, as mentioned by Bryant, started in Purina commercials and made his way to national television on "The Jimmy Dean Show."
Company Thrived As Henson's Family Maintained Creative Legacy After His Death
After Jim Henson's passing, his wife Jane founded the Jim Henson Legacy. His children have been involved in running his foundation, with some becoming puppeteers themselves, ensuring that the company remained a family enterprise that honored Henson's vision. Despite selling the company to a German media company, Henson's children later bought it back, showcasing a deep commitment to maintaining the integrity and direction of their father's work.
Henson Company Ownership Changes, Muppets Remain Popular and Influential
The Henson Company's ownership has seen various changes over time. Although a sale to Disney was never finalized by Jim Henson himself, his children brokered deals that exchanged stakes and rights of characters to various companies. The rights to the Sesame Street characters were sold to Sesame Workshop, while Henson's Creature Shop continues to create those famili ...
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Henson's Business Acumen and Legacy
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Jim Henson was indeed a savvy businessman, it could be argued that his primary focus was on creativity and innovation, and that business decisions were often made in service of his creative vision rather than purely for business acumen.
- The repurposing of characters like Cookie Monster and Rowlf the dog could be seen not just as a business strategy but also as a testament to Henson's adaptability and resourcefulness as a creator.
- The involvement of Henson's family in the company after his death is commendable, but it could be argued that this may have also limited the introduction of new perspectives and ideas that could have come from outside leadership.
- The buyback of the company by Henson's children is a strong statement of dedication to their father's legacy, but it could also be critiqued as a potentially risky financial move that may not have aligned with broader business trends or opportunities.
- The changes in the Henson Company's ownership over time could be seen as a natural evolution of a company in a changing media landscape, and not necessarily as a reflection of the company's success or failure.
- The sale of the rights to the Sesame Street characters to Sesame Workshop might be criticized for potentially fragmenting the Henson brand and its associated properties.
- While Henson's Creature Shop continues to create puppets, it could ...
Actionables
- You can protect your creative projects by learning about intellectual property rights. Start by researching copyright, trademark, and patent laws to understand how you can maintain control over your creations. For example, if you write a story or design a character, knowing how to register a copyright can ensure that you retain ownership and can dictate how your work is used.
- Repurpose your skills and hobbies for new ventures. If you have a hobby like knitting, consider how you can adapt this skill to different markets, such as creating knitwear for pets or teaching online classes. This mirrors the concept of repurposing characters for different uses and can open up new opportunities for personal growth and income.
- Preser ...
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