Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey is a documentary film about the life and career of Kevin Clash. The film was directed by Constance Marks and debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2011.

Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, the documentary features archival footage, including Clash puppeteering as a teenager with his own handmade puppets, as well as interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O'Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney, Caroll Spinney, Fran Brill, Marty Robinson, and Bill Barretta.

The Park City premiere of the film was sold out on January 4, weeks before the screening. It was attended by Kevin Clash, Elmo, Carol-Lynn Parente and the filmmakers. It was followed by a Q&A session with Clash, Elmo, and Tau Bennett, an 8-year old puppeteer that Clash is mentoring. Brian Muehl was in attendance as well, surprising Clash after the Q&A, who in return pointed out to those still in the auditorium that this was "the original Elmo."

At the Sundance Awards Ceremony on January 29, 2011, the film received the Special Jury Prize: Documentary "For creating a documentary for ALL ages." The award was presented by Jess Search, of the Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation.

Upcoming release plans include:


 * United States: theatrical release, Submarine; television, PBS series Independent Lens; DVD release, New Video, VOD release, New Video.


 * Canada: theatrical release, Mongrel Media.

Madman Entertainment will release the film in Australia and New Zealand.

Credits
Produced by Constance Marks Productions, Inc.


 * Director: Constance Marks
 * Producer: Constance Marks, James Miller and Corinne LaPook
 * Composer: Joel Goodman
 * Cinematographer: James Miller
 * Editor: Philip Shane and Justin Weinstein
 * Assistant Editor: Roger Matthews
 * Codirector: Philip Shane

Reviews

 * Reuters: "With six years in production, veteran doc filmmaker Marks was able to expertly weave together the strands of Clash's career, combining archival sources and generous interviews with the performer and his many admirers. Whoopi Goldberg provides suitably sparse, incisive narration, while the priceless footage of Clash performing Elmo on TV and for live audiences gets to the core of the effusive enjoyment he takes performing for youngsters. Although the filmmakers could have provided more background on how the character of Elmo was developed and his integral role on Sesame Street, the little monster does a pretty good job of speaking for himself... "Being Elmo" is a rare documentary that will connect across generations and cultures to delight viewers worldwide for years to come."
 * New York Post: "One of the chief pleasures of Sundance 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."

Screenings

 * Sundance Film Festival 2011, Park City UT, January 23-29, 2011
 * SXSW Film Festival 2011, Austin TX, March 12-19, 2011
 * Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Durham NC, April 14-17, 2011
 * Dallas Film Festival, Dallas TX, March 31, 2011
 * Independent Film Festival, Boston MA, April 27, 2011
 * Hot Docs Film Festival, Toronto ON, May 8, 2011 (interview on App Central)
 * Seattle International Film Festival, June 3 and 5, 2011
 * Nantucket Film Festival, June 24, 2011
 * Nantucket Film Festival, June 26, 2011