WINNER OF SPECIAL JURY PRIZE AT 2011 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
DESCRIPTION
"Each and every day, millions of kids tune in to Sesame Street to see one of the world’s most adored and recognizable children’s characters, a furry red monster named Elmo. Yet, with all of Elmo’s fame, the man behind the Muppet is able to walk down the street without being recognized. Meet Kevin Clash. As an average teenager growing up in Baltimore in the 1970s, Kevin had very different aspirations from his classmates—he wanted to be a puppeteer. More specifically, he wanted to be part of Jim Henson’s team of Muppeteers, the creative force responsible for delivering the magic of Sesame Street on a daily basis. With a supportive family behind him every step of the way, Kevin made those dreams come true. Combining amazing archival footage with material from the present day, filmmaker Constance Marks explores his story in vivid detail, chronicling the meteoric rise of Jim Henson’s Muppets in the process." --Sundance Film Festival
Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others. (read more)
- 2011 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Award
- 2011 Nantucket Film Festival Audience Award
- 2011 Traverse City Film Festival Audience Award
- 2011 Silverdocs official selection
- 2011 Hot Docs Top Ten Audience Favorites
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Constance Marks is an award-winning independent documentary filmmaker. She is the founder and president of Constance Marks Productions, Inc., a documentary production company based in New York City. Marks began her filmmaking career over 30 years ago as an assistant editor for the renowned Cinema Verite pioneers, David and Albert Maysles.Marks’ critically acclaimed films have been shown theatrically, broadcast widely, and garnered numerous awards. Her productions include Return to Appalachia which aired on PBS, Let’s Fall in Love: A Singles Weekend at the Concord Hotel. which was selected by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as one of the outstanding documentaries of the year, and Green Chimneys - a full-length documentary feature film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and aired on HBO. Marks has produced numerous films focusing on important social issues including homelessness, the elderly, experimental charter schools and substance abuse recovery residences.
SUN. 01/15 at 3:00PM
Janet Leigh Theatre at Pacific
CAST AND CREW
Directors: Constance Marks, Philip Shane Producers: Corinne LaPook, Constance Marks, James J. Miller Cinematographer: James J. Miller Editor: Philip Shane, Justin Weinstein Music: Joel Goodman Principal Cast: Kevin Clash, Bill Barretta, Fran Brill, Joan Ganz Cooney, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Frank Oz, Martin P. Robinson, Caroll Spinney
