As a dedicated fan of both comedy and puppetry, I can’t help but be captivated by the unique experiences shared by these talented artists. Working alongside a puppet co-star might seem like an oddity at first, but stories like Seth Meyers‘ encounter with Kermit the Frog serve as a testament to the magic that unfolds when we let ourselves connect on set.
While working on a film or television set, it’s possible you could find yourself sharing the screen with a puppet as your costar. Although acting is essentially the same regardless of who you’re performing with, there are distinct strategies to employ when collaborating with such an unusual scene partner. Veteran comedian and former Saturday Night Live sketch star Seth Meyers offers some valuable insights from his experience working alongside the iconic Kermit the Frog.
In a clip on Instagram from his interview with actor and comedian Brett Goldstein on his late night talk show, Seth Meyers talked about Goldstein’s appearance on Sesame Street, with Goldstein going so far to as to call it “the best day of my life”. Shortly after, Meyers shared his own experience working with Kermit during his time on SNL. He was given some advice on how to work with the puppet, as Meyers said:
They suggest, ‘Just focus on Kermit, not the puppeteer.’ Yet, it’s challenging because you’re aware of the voice, and within a short while, you find yourself addressing him as ‘hey bud.’ You make eye contact, and instantly, you feel, ‘You are the only thing here that truly matters to me.’
Previous performers have spoken about their encounters collaborating with renowned puppet characters. For instance, Ewan McGregor from ‘Star Wars’, speaking about Yoda, found it slightly eerie when filming ended and the puppet appeared lifeless. Additionally, working with practical effects such as puppets presents unique difficulties, one of them being the voice synchronization. Shows like ‘Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ dealt with this issue since the actors providing the voices were separate from the puppeteers controlling the characters.
Over time, even the iconic frog Kermit has experienced some adjustments in his voice. For a brief burst of amusement, take a look at the video featuring Seth Meyers and Brett Goldstein.
A post shared by Late Night with Seth Meyers (@latenightseth)
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Intriguing, isn’t it, how the realm of practical effects can seem enigmatic at times? Yet, the wisdom often shared is to simply connect with puppets by meeting their gaze. It seems that eyes truly do reveal the soul, whether belonging to a puppet or a person. There’s a touch of humor in this, considering that both Meyers and Goldstein confessed they felt smitten when they gazed into the puppets’ eyes.
To watch the entire talk featuring Goldstein, tune in to “Late Night with Seth Meyers” weeknights on NBC, or subscribe to Peacock for access. Additionally, you can catch Brett Goldstein in “Ted Lasso” and “Shrinking,” both available through an Apple+ subscription.
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2024-11-26 14:37