Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

2011 1h 20m EN

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 158

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator, Kevin Clash, who dreamed of working with his idol, master puppeteer Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

Cast

Whoopi Goldberg
Narrator (voice)
Frank Oz
Self
Kevin Clash
Self
Bill Barretta
Self
Fran Brill
Self
Joan Ganz Cooney
Self
Arsenio Hall
Self
Hugh Jackman
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Constance Marks
Writers: Justin Weinstein, Philip Shane
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

80 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 15 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Constance Marks, shot by James J. Miller. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Joel Goodman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Philip Shane shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Whoopi Goldberg and Frank Oz and Kevin Clash carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt1787660 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Constance Marks directs. James J. Miller behind the camera. Joel Goodman scores. Philip Shane cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

180 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released 15 years ago.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Constance Marks, shot by James J. Miller. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Joel Goodman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Philip Shane shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Whoopi Goldberg and Frank Oz and Kevin Clash carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt1787660 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.