Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011)

The Muppet Elmo is one of the most beloved characters among children across the globe. Meet the unlikely man behind the puppet - the heart and soul of Elmo - Kevin Clash.

Directors:

Constance Marks, Philip Shane

Writers:

Philip Shane, Justin Weinstein

Stars:

Kevin Clash, Whoopi Goldberg, Frank Oz

8 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bill Barretta	...	Self - Puppeteer
Tau Bennett	...	Self
Fran Brill	...	Self - Puppeteer
Carson Carr	...	Guy Eating Cake #2
George Clash	...	Self
Gladys Clash	...	Self - Mother
Kevin Clash	...	Self
Joan Ganz Cooney	...	Self - Co-Founder - Sesame Workshop
Arsenio Hall	...	Self (archive footage)
Cheryl Henson	...	Self - President - Jim Henson Foundation
Jim Henson	...	Self (archive footage)
Hugh Jackman	...	Self (archive footage)
Kermit Love	...	Self (archive footage)
Rove McManus	...	Self (archive footage)

Storyline

The film traces Kevin Clash's rise from his modest beginnings in Baltimore to his current success as the man behind Elmo, one of the world's most recognizable and adored characters. Millions of children tune in daily to watch Elmo, yet when Kevin walks down the street he is not recognized. Pivotal to the film is the exploration of Jim Henson's meteoric rise, and Kevin's ultimate achievement of his goal to become part of the Henson family of puppeteers. In addition to puppeteering Elmo, Mr. Clash is arguably the creative force behind today's Sesame Street, producing, directing and traveling around the globe training other puppeteers. Includes interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O'Donnell, Whoopi Goldberg, Carroll Spinney, Joan Ganz Cooney, Marty Robinson, Fran Brill, and Bill Barretta.

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Plot Keywords:

puppeteer | interview | puppet | fireworks | walt disney world | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild language including a brief drug reference

Did You Know?

Connections

References The Great Space Coaster (1981)

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Soundtracks

Les Z'animaux
written by Mado Marchant & Alexandra Pic
arranged by Paul Crabbe
courtesy of Panorama SAS/Society Expand Drama

User Reviews

Feel-Good Story That Proves Nice Guys Don't Always Finish Last

The super-sweet story of Kevin Clash, the puppeteer behind Elmo and a variety of other characters, which doubles as a heartwarming look back at the attitudes and atmosphere behind the scenes with Jim Henson's troupe in the glory days. Clash is a master at his craft, a by-product of spending every afternoon since childhood with an arm inside a furry marionette, and when he's not on the air with the cast of Sesame Street, he's contentedly passing that knowledge on to the next generation. It's an attitude he inherited from Henson and his close associate Kermit Love, who took Kevin under their wing and showed him the ropes without any pretense or hesitation. Too often we're too concerned with job security to share the intimate details of our craft with others, least of all the rising young stars, but Love and Henson adopted Clash with selfless warmth and care, a lesson he hasn't forgotten and continues to roll forward to others today. They're a perfect embodiment of everything the Muppets have stood for, complete with a contagious smile that didn't leave my face for hours.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 April 2012 (UK)

Also Known As:

Inside Elmo

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,963, 23 October 2011

Gross USA:

$304,052

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$310,812

Company Credits

Production Co:

Constance Marks Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1