Fun with a Muppet Whatnot™
In the fall of 2008 I came across the Muppet Whatnot Workshop at FAO Schwarz in New York, where I was able to build my own Muppet. Excited to do something with it, a friend Kevin envisioned the concept for an absurd storyline: a human/Muppet romantic music video, fresh on the heels of another impromptu Phil Collin’s “music video” that Kevin and I made for the Martha Stewart show, in which we appeared that fall. This was sort of an exercise in creating this sort of production, so we really went all-out on it, in spite of it’s intent. Two years in production. Be forewarned, the content is not exactly G rated. Enjoy!
TAKE A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES>
The fun with my Whatnot named Fred didn’t end there. I patterned and rebuilt him using professional puppet construction methods and materials used to make authentic Muppet characters.
The original FAO Schwartz Muppet Whatnot being built in NYC.
The original puppet has visible seems, lower quality fleece and is constructed similarly to a plush toy.
Close up face detail also highlights the vinyl wrapped cardboard glasses.
The NEW & IMPROVED Fred has a reticulated foam skull, patterned after the original.
Interior view of mouth plate grip.
Mouth plate
Finished puppet skull.
pattern pieces and custom dyed Antron fleece, which can effectively hide seams.
The skull fabric pattern.
Arms
Posable hand structure.
Ears and nose
The head is nearly complete.
Naked, but all finished.
Close-up view of the newly completed Fred showing his new bow-tie.
Fred’s new puppet hands.
The new Fred has improved dimples.
The original FAO Fred
Kevin Balko as Chet Dander
The original Fred reporting “live” in this composited “promo” card.
The original Fred and David.
In studio touch-up boy Ian Sklarsky
Fred and Chet on holiday in the Swiss Alps.
If you still have them would you be willing to share the templates? I only ask because Roy; my muppet whatnot, is has seen better days physically and he was constructed using the same base as your original Fred. I don’t know wether or not you’ll actually see this but I figured it was at least worth a shot to reach out to you.