Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey

Synopsis

The film focuses on Clash's early career in Baltimore, Maryland. It covers his meeting and interactions with Sesame Street creator Jim Henson, puppet maker Kermit Love, and the phenomenal success of Elmo. Clash joined Sesame Street in 1984.

Participants

Release

The film was first premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

Reception

The film received warm-hearted reviews by critics when it was released. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 94% based on reviews from 72 critics.

Roger Ebert noted "We...learn a lot of the tricks behind giving the muppets such distinctive personality." The New York Post reported: "One of the chief pleasures of Sundance [Film Festival] 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." Look at OKC praised: "As director Constance Marks proves in her detailed and surprisingly emotional documentary Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey, Clash's love of the art form eventually led him to create one of the most popular characters in children's television."