Puppet Rockin’ In The Queen City
Day 1 – Hillsides and Trashcans
As I attempted to sleep on Wednesday night, I remembered of all of the people that have helped me reach this new point in following my childhood dream to be a puppeteer. Certainly my parents were there from the start so long ago. Thoughts of my father were racing about my brain, and how I wished he was here to enjoy my growing success as a puppeteer. Then, I finally fell asleep.
Suddenly it was 5:45 on Thursday morning. I needed to prepare for my day as the solo puppeteer for the Cincinnati Department of Public Services television spot -that’s showbiz lingo! I zipped up my hoodie, plugged in my earbuds, and hit the sidewalk for my morning walk, Led Zeppelin was my soundtrack. With the “rock walk” and arm stretches complete, I had breakfast, kissed my family goodbye and drove to Cincinnati State College, who’s video department are providing the crew and equipment for this shoot.
Our little caravan of vehicles included the production van, a college shuttle bus (posing as a Green Room/prop department), and a city garbage truck driven by one of my co-stars John Ervin. In between scenes John and I chatted about the truck. I know my seven year old son Tiernan would have loved to see his daddy squished into the cab to perform Cyril the Sea Serpent. John told me that these rigs can get up to 65 mph, provided they are not hauling trash.
Cyril and Terrence are unaware that in a few minutes they will be squishing themselves into a trash can. The things we do for laughs! © 2014 Terrence Burke / Wump Mucket Puppets
Our first location was on on Heekin Avenue, in the Mt. Lookout neighborhood of Cincinnati. In this PSA we are informing residents who live on steep hills that they can get an exemption form and leave their trash on the curb. This was the most difficult scene to shoot since we were working on a set of very steep, and cold, concrete steps. If that wasn’t hard enough, I had to puppeteer from inside a trash can, covered in make-believe trash! It was not easy, yet we got the shots needed. I won’t give any more away, yet I will promise you this, it’s VERY FUNNY! Our director Zo Wesson was very encouraging and praised me for my performance multiple times. I guess he knows that this puppet rocker ROCKS HARD!
Coleman had a great time goofing around with the cast and crew in Mt. Lookout. © 2014 Terrence Burke / Wump Mucket Puppets
After our lunch break, the cast and crew made their way to Cincinnati’s Westwood neighborhood. The video and lighting equipment was nearly set up when the sky above us began to darken. Rain was determined to stop this from being shot. No trouble, we still had a third location on the schedule, the city garbage truck garage!
Director Zo Wesson and crew set up a shot at the garbage truck garage. (L-R: Zo Wesson, John Ervin, Terrence Burke) © 2014 Terrence Burke / Wump Mucket Puppets
For our final location we shot a few of Cyril’s intros, welcoming the viewer, and explaining where he’s going with his pal John. This time we were protected from the rain, and I got to sit on an apple box! Now that’s luxury.
Cyril hamming it up for the camera between takes while Terrence Burke listens to the director. © 2014 Terrence Burke / Wump Mucket Puppet.
Terrence Burke puppeteering Cyril the Sea Serpent. © 2014 Terrence Burke / Wump Mucket Puppets
Cyril and his co-star John Ervin are greeting viewers in this shot. © 2014 Terrence Burke / Wump Mucket Puppets
With several of our garage shots “in the can”, the crew began to pack up all of their video and lighting equipment. And I thought puppeteers had lots of gear! These folks filled two vans with their gear.
John Ervin with Cyril and Terrence Burke. © 2014 Terrence Burke / Terrence Burke
What I really enjoy about this production is that it’s cast and crew are all from Cincinnati. Working with these fine folks was great. Everyone gave it their all to make this production shine, even though the sun wasn’t.
Our cast and crew. These folks ROCK! L-R (front row) Anastasia, Zo Wesson, Corry (back row) Bobby Gayol, Cyril the Sea Serpent, Terrence Burke, John Ervin, Paul Grundy. © 2014 Terrence Burke / Wump Mucket Puppets
Be sure to come and see the premier of our newest puppet character, Unka Unka the Caveman! He’ll be bringing LOTS of FUN to our show! Bring all your pals to meet our new puppet pal!
