‘Planet Egg’: puppetry in a world of its own
By Karleanne Matthews, Senior Staff Writer
Nov 9, 2012
Nov 9, 2012
“Crash-landings, cultural misunderstandings, murder, romance, forgiveness and revenge,” the billing reads. This may sound like too much to ask from a dialogue-free puppet film that runs under an hour, but surprisingly, PuppetCinema’s “Planet Egg” delivers just that.
Puppets have been used in films from “The Muppets” to “Star Wars,” but it’s not often that the audience gets to see the film being created before their eyes. When arriving for the production, presented as part of the 2012 Oʻahu Fringe Festival, attendees may feel like they’ve wandered backstage – and in a way, they have.
On one side of the space, puppeteers Zvi Sahar and Justin Perkins have a table with a small, rotating stage, a few lights, a single camera and a whole array of tiny puppets and props. Their work is then projected, in real time, onto a large screen in the center. On the other side of the room, Foley artist Ien Denio provides a live soundtrack. Together, they tell the story of a tiny robot who lands on a strange planet and meets the creatures already living there.
The film would be cute on its own, but the real magic is watching the artists work together. Sahar, who is also the creator and director of the show, frequently communicates with his crew (mostly by gesturing), and the lights are often left bright enough for the audience to clearly see what is occurring.
“Zvi Sahar is the mastermind behind ‘Planet Egg’ and puppet cinema in general,” said producer Ali Skye Bennet. “He had the idea and recruited all of us.”
Some electronic bric-a-brac, a couple of egg puns and one adorable mushroom (and many scary ones) later, Sahar has created a space adventure puppet show that is quirky, fun, suspenseful and surprisingly touching.
“Planet Egg” – 2012 Oʻahu Fringe Festival
The ARTS at Marks Garage; 1159 Nuʻuanu Ave.
PUPPET WORKSHOP
The Puppet Cinema team will also present a workshop on Saturday morning, 10:30-11:30, at Loading Zone.
Participants will each get to make a puppet and collaborate with a partner to create a short scene. They’ll also learn some of the techniques the puppeteers use with the camera and “puppetry techniques that are meant to be filmed,” according to Bennet. The workshop is $15, but includes all materials.
And while the event is technically open to participants as young as 10, the team is focused on helping older people get in touch with their creative side. “We’re excited to do a puppetry workshop with adults,” said Bennet.
When: Saturday, Nov. 10; 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Where: Loading Zone, 47 N Hotel St.
Puppets have been used in films from “The Muppets” to “Star Wars,” but it’s not often that the audience gets to see the film being created before their eyes. When arriving for the production, presented as part of the 2012 Oʻahu Fringe Festival, attendees may feel like they’ve wandered backstage – and in a way, they have.
On one side of the space, puppeteers Zvi Sahar and Justin Perkins have a table with a small, rotating stage, a few lights, a single camera and a whole array of tiny puppets and props. Their work is then projected, in real time, onto a large screen in the center. On the other side of the room, Foley artist Ien Denio provides a live soundtrack. Together, they tell the story of a tiny robot who lands on a strange planet and meets the creatures already living there.
The film would be cute on its own, but the real magic is watching the artists work together. Sahar, who is also the creator and director of the show, frequently communicates with his crew (mostly by gesturing), and the lights are often left bright enough for the audience to clearly see what is occurring.
“Zvi Sahar is the mastermind behind ‘Planet Egg’ and puppet cinema in general,” said producer Ali Skye Bennet. “He had the idea and recruited all of us.”
Some electronic bric-a-brac, a couple of egg puns and one adorable mushroom (and many scary ones) later, Sahar has created a space adventure puppet show that is quirky, fun, suspenseful and surprisingly touching.
“Planet Egg” – 2012 Oʻahu Fringe Festival
The ARTS at Marks Garage; 1159 Nuʻuanu Ave.
PUPPET WORKSHOP
The Puppet Cinema team will also present a workshop on Saturday morning, 10:30-11:30, at Loading Zone.
Participants will each get to make a puppet and collaborate with a partner to create a short scene. They’ll also learn some of the techniques the puppeteers use with the camera and “puppetry techniques that are meant to be filmed,” according to Bennet. The workshop is $15, but includes all materials.
And while the event is technically open to participants as young as 10, the team is focused on helping older people get in touch with their creative side. “We’re excited to do a puppetry workshop with adults,” said Bennet.
When: Saturday, Nov. 10; 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Where: Loading Zone, 47 N Hotel St.
