Tucson Puppet Cabaret 2024

Blessed again by invitation from the one and only puppet master, Lisa Sturz at Red Herring Puppets, Imaginology was requested to bring Cleatus to the Tucson Puppet Slam at Scoundrel and Scamp Theater, December 6,7 and 8, 2024.

Rowby, a lovable alien puppet created and performed by Lisa Sturz with Red Herring Puppets was the Master of Ceremonies. Rowby introduced many of the acts and offered insights from an alien perspective.

Cleatus Wayneright is everyones new favorite, shitty, redneck neighbor. We wanted to bring Cleatus and his trailer down to Scoundrel and Scamp and make a stink with "Kickin' It With Cleatus". Cleatus showed up with stains on his shirt, ready to make fun of Tucson and it's empty dirt lots as well as politics and the price of eggs!?

The talent was great and varied. With some 20 performers involved, we had a wonderful variety of puppeteers, vocalists, teachers, musicians and astronomers to round out the team.

The Scoundrel and Scamp Theater is a very professional theater to work with/in. Annika runs the technical booth like an automation pro. Programming and assigning cues is her game and she is very advanced at it. Her love for the art surpasses expecations and her willingness to work with artists is refreshing.

Brian is the man with the plan and runs his theater like it's his own. Which is because it IS his theater! With one of the technicians sick for the weekend, it was up to Brian to roll up his sleeves and assist in setting lights and backstage tech as well as running the house for the weekend. Thank you Brian!

Lisa Sturz is an increadibly talented human with many dynamic aspects and credits to her name. It is a pleasure to work with Lisa as she finds ways to include you in the process of improving your own puppetry style and technique. Her main note for Cleatus was that he (I) had a tendancy to move his arm when speaking, which is also known as "relaying" as in you are relaying your movements from one hand to the other. Her suggestion was taken and as a result I only moved Cleatus hand when attempting to point in a general direction, or to accentuate an emotion. Resulting in better puppetry, a better performance and a learning experience for me to grow as a puppeteer.

Dennis and Laura both made a new team debut as they premiered their rod puppetry "Dating a Dark Lord" skit that was based off of the Dating Game Show. The two of them working together felt very natural and funny as is usually the case with Dennis the Red. Now with Laura and Dennis as a team, we will be watching closely to see what future fun and hijinx they bring to puppetry.

Josh and his show "Aspiring Alcoholic" was a new learning experience for Josh as he worked with Lisa extensively on his piece. Refining and attending details in delivery, timing and puppetry, Josh received direct, one on one training to help refine his show for presentation.

Psycho Sarah returned to the stage with an updated version of her "Recovery Queen" program. Using Abba's hit pop song "Dancing Queen" as the basis for her musical update "Recovery Queen" Sarah was once again presented with the challenges of retaining her sobriety in very challenging times as her puppet friend PTSD attempts to convince her to make poor decisions.

The puppets used throughout the performances were phenomenal and varied in shape and size. The Meatball performance by Jan was especially cute but small in scale. A Meatball character is so lonely he could die, until he meets spaghetti, sauce and cheese. With a buddhump bump singalong, this show stole many hearts.

The larger scale, dayglo painted "Alberijes" puppets were a beautiful pop of color in appearance and performance and presented Lisa Sturz oversized marionettes and performance.

In an excerpt from the upcoming Tucson Fringe Festival Show; You and Infinity, University of Arizona astronomer Kevin Hainline, used transparencies, shadowplay, and an overhead projector to explore the terror (and comfort) of the endlessness that awaits us. (Saturday and Sunday only) Hainline was accompanied on guitar by Lara R. with a very lovely rendition of the David Byrne song "Heaven". The illustrations used on transparency were nicely done and the humour of the piece is a sobering look at life as it relates to infinity. The piece was overall a very clever view wit and extensive, existential perspective.

The Tucson Puppet Works theater troupe, now known as Trogs Anonymous presented Baker's Man - a creation story for the ages, but not for all ages. May contain gluten. This story of how the chef chased away the gingerbread by "nibble nibbling" was a cute and dynamic show with live music and concluded with a giant oversized gingerbread man costume running around and causing shenanigans with audience members.

Some live performance elements were also included as Lisa Sturz presented "Bad Decisions" a critical view of the supreme court justices and their history of stripping rights from American citizens. This piece resonated with many as it's theme song "Stop in the Name of Love" was a catchy inclusion in the show.

The Three Sisters, created by Red Herring Puppet, explores a mysterious archetypal  journey. Lily Sabath, Amelie Allen and Lisa Sturz portray the maiden, mother and crone as they sing of the feminine cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth. Music by Michael Eagan.

Wolf and Xochitl are a team of performance artists with a variety of talents and segments they present. Demonstrating expressive moments of brilliance, Wobo presents juggling, dance, movement, emotive but silent expression and even shadow puppets to tell their ongoing story of struggle with the "rats" inside the theater. Their music and sound effects help round out an already well crafted series of vignettes that delight the audience with the wonders of comedy and tragedy theater.

The final segment included a moment of Nativity as the rats in the theater had finally been put to rest. All of the performers and puppets came to the stage to see the rats. 

Overall the learning experiences and friendships formed at Tucson Puppet Cabaret are far worth the drive from Phoenix. I encourage you to look up The Scoundrel and Scamp Theater https://www.scoundrelandscamp.org/ and Red Herring Puppets https://www.redherringpuppets.com/ for more information and theater programming.

Photography by David Dupree - Urban Photographer https://iteraart.com/

Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space - 20 Year Anniversary

It was during the early years as an animation student that I learned the significant value of a frame of animation or film. Each and every frame matters and the contents of those frames are what determine your budget and timeframe for completing a film. Finding shortcuts becomes a savings to the production budget.

As of this writing, it is now 20 years ago that the cult classic puppet musical, Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space was originally performed live. This musical puppet show was being toured around Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa to audiences delight and rave reviews. Originally created and performed by Skeleton Puppet Theater for an annual Halloween party, hosted in Sunnyslope, Phoenix Arizona.

Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space - 20 Year Anniversary

The annual Sunnyslope halloween party always included a high level of creative application. Blacklights, illusions and original paintings and sculptures were all included each year. Not to mention, a fun themed dance floor and excellent food, often catered by the Greer's et al. Zelda would reign as the queen of Halloween as a zombified corpse, propped up in her rocking chair in the graveyard. Headstones and cemetery scenes created a deeper sense of connection to the celebration of life that those parties were.

Each year demanded an element of entertainment as musicians, poets and radio DJ's were a small sampling of the talented collective that later became Skeleton Puppet Theater. An annual puppet show was born. With performances of Night of the Living Dead - The Musical, Circus of Death and Louie's Love Zone to name a few.

There was an immediate connection to puppetry for me. As an animation student, I was attempting to pull off stop motion, puppet animation during a time in which animation was taking a more computerized approach. Sitting at a desktop while developing carpal tunnel in order to achieve animation seemed more laborious than posing stop motion puppet armatures frame by frame. When I saw how effective a simple hand puppet could be at telling a story, I was hooked. Especially since it seemed less time was required to get frames to completion. This of course requires advance design and production work regardless. Puppetry presented an opportunity for me to advance my interest in puppet animated forms, by using a real-time animation, now known to me as puppetry.

Originally, I offered to join Skeleton Puppet Theater as a Technical Director to ensure music and technical cues would be prepared and ready for each show. We would practice over each summer to prepare for Halloween. During Circus of Death, there was a disagreement between puppeteers and a fight broke out. Dave Knight was no longer to perform as the beligerent but jovial skeleton with a top hat, Bony Tony. Bony Tony was then offered to me. I recall performing Bony while Dave listened and bantered from the audience. My hopes to do the character justice were confirmed when Dave gave me the "good job". He did say that he thought his was better and I do not disagree. Dave Knight performed Bony Tony like a savage beast with zero shits to give and he was still very funny and relatable!

The stage was enormous. We required several vehicles to transport the stage Pete built. It was unsustainable but we didn't care at the time, we were just excited to be asked to perform at various odd venues in and around the valley. The stage had a lighting console built in and had many components including "wings" to help mask any behind the scenes action.

Skeleton Puppet Theater was a fully functioning, live theater troupe. Imaginology was a full fledged multimedia production company and the timing was perfect for the two to work together to then produce the short film, Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space.

Collaborating with Pete, I designed and fabricated the foam latex and paper mache composite puppets. Although I had the head and the bodies, it wasn't until Pete added glove fingers for dreadlocks and socks for the neck and mouth, that the characters came to life. It should be noted that my aunt Deborah created the capes for the ghouls. Pete later painted some glitter bikini bottoms to finish off the details of the aesthetic.

I was working in the Arizona Heart Institute media production facility VAS at the time. I had made some connections in the industry and befriended Steve Wargo who had a studio in his oversized garage space of his home. We filmed and photographed Flesh Eating Ghouls in his studio over the course of a long weekend.

Filming Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space in Steve Wargo's Studio

While at VAS, I had become the in house author of DVD video titles on the Scanarist DVD authoring system. This is how I was able to create a DVD that would play worldwide on almost any DVD player (a big deal at that time). I authored and funded the 1,000 copies of the Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space DVD's that are now in circulation worldwide.

The team was often testy. Creative differences would present themselves. Opinions about what was good vs. KRAP were often times debated. We were a team of laughing, drunk and stoned idiots who had an idea and some songs to record to make the original concept work. We religiously met on Sunday's. The closer to Halloween it was, the more frequent the Sunday visits. Almost always in Georganne's back yard, although we moved around and often hosted at Captain Mike's.

Our audio visual team was me. Randy would help with sound if he could and Scott Pfister would pitch in for the big shows. I rarely had the equipment needed to properly facilitate a 5 person creative puppetry team. We needed wireless lavalier microphones for each of us, but often shared one or simply used an open mic behind the stage. The stage itself was wooden and did not allow any sound through. We learned this requirement after some early rehearsals. I would beg and borrow from anyone willing to allow us to use their gear. We are appreciative of all our supporters, fans and family over the years...thank you!

At a certain stage however, you must pay people to show up and work for you. Skeleton Puppet Theater rarely ever got paid. Imaginology was spending money on studio time and phtotographers/videographers to bring their eye and equipment to the studio. When you incur financial commitment to a film or media project, you are usually deemed Executive Producer credit. Renting studio space and paying the crew became an Imaginology job and we are proud to do so. 

Live recordings of our early shows exist and are included on the Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space DVD. There are hidden easter eggs on the DVD menu. If you point the cursor at the sun, you will be taken to a submenu of Circus of Death and Louie's Love Zone episodes. These are early efforts we made at capturing the brilliant comedy we had been performing for years on film.

All Skeleton Puppet Theater artists are performers, puppeteers, voice over actors and more. An extremely talented crew, which includes:

Pete DesRosiers - creator, writer, puppeteer, designer and musician. Pete is arguably the most credited for creating and inspiring the puppet shows that became synonymous with Skeleton Puppet Theater. His creative vision and boundless imagination has inspired me for decades and I am a fan and proud friend.

Georgann Prince - Sculpture artist with an eye for fine detail. Georganne creates and paints the many faces, hands and details that are such an enormous appeal and an original vision for puppet design and fabrication. Georganne also paints backdrops creates props and other additional items and details.

Ruth Anne Greer - Costume designer of Skeleton Puppet Theater. Ruth Anne knows her materials and designs her own costumes accordingly. Creating cute designs or solving technical challenges, Ruthy has designed, sewn and fitted all the costumes for Skeleton Puppet Theater and Imaginology productions, including oversized dragon puppets.

Randy Greer - Musician, voice over actor and master puppeteer of all Brock Buttman performances. Randy was also instrumental(pun intended) in composing, recording and producing the musical segments for Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space.

Nathaniel Jack Greene - Animator, Puppeteer, Film Maker, Producer of the short film, Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space and author of this article.

Our production crew was small. Erik Weiland was Director and his brother Max was assistant. Brian Thorsen and I were working together at VAS and Brian had his own Canon camera at the time. I had found Noiko Arai online as a recently experienced Production Assistant. She and Max worked closely to identify production needs as we all stood in to assist wherever needed.

Directing Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space

Not long after the filming, I had injured my back severely and was ordered by the doctor to stay in bed. I had a Dell XPS laptop that I used to maintain websites over the summer. I edited FEGFOS on this laptop all summer long. I created graphics, lower thirds, tickers and other animated segments included in the story.

Upon completion of the film, I submitted it to numerous film festivals around the United States. The film won several awards, including Audience Favorite at the Cincinnatti International Film Festival and Best Short Film at the First Annual Phoenix Fear Film Festival. This award also generated an agreement with Brain Damage Films for Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space to be included on a Best Buy distribution of "Tomb of Terrors" a horror compilation DVD set.

Tomb of Terrors DVD Horror Film Compilation

A new fanbase has been recently developing. YouTube comments are plentiful and review of the film are on-line as a result of FEGFOS being on a DVD compilation. An original production has been developed by Vomit Inducing Media, titled "TOMB OF TERRORS PAID OFF!!! | FLESH EATING GHOULS FROM OUTER SPACE REACTION!!!". An independent production of creative application with unique and disturbing looking characters of their own, this review is put together as a collaborative and fun perspective shift on how to watch a cult classic with friends on-line. We appreciate the effort put into producing this video, Vomit Inducing Media.

Vomit Inducing Media

We have recently created a short concept teaser of what a Return of Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space sequel might look like. We welcome your comments and appreciate your support and involvement. Please reach out to us on social media @imaginology and @ogbonytony.

Return of Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space

The original, live recording of Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space is now available on YouTube and was filmed at Captain Mike's backyard halloween party in 2003.

Please support independent cinema. Thank you for your support!

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Bony Tony and Stephen Jenkinson Discuss The Future of Now and Speaking With Children About Death

A very special episode of The Afterlife With Bony Tony.

After a short hiatus, Bony Tony is back with more of what you love. Death, taxes and grief...right!? Yer killin' me! Yer killin' me!!

Bony Tony has been hard at work establishing a better understanding of how this generation of humans cope with their mortality. Although 2020 was especially challenging for many humans, Bony was there for you and even hosted a Halloween Experience to help our friends work through the some of the anxiety, pain and anguish that the year provided.

Although 2021 has been a small step forward in the global condition, we are still experiencing what Stephen Jenkinson would refer to as "plague times". The man is what few can carry as a title of "grief walker". An individual dedicated to the realities and impending fate of all humans, that is so easily pushed aside or considered taboo to talk about. AKA Bony Tony's favorite topic.

Stephen is a worker, author, storyteller, culture activist, and founder of Orphan Wisdom, a teaching house for skills of deep living and making human culture that are mandatory in endangered, endangering times.

Bony was fortunate to catch Mr. Jenkinson at his teaching house Orphan Wisdom in Ontario for a cup of tea and to wax the word realistic with the man who speaks Bony Tony's language of death, dying and grief processing.

More information at: https://orphanwisdom.com

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Kickin' it with Cleatus - Test Episode 0.1

A pilot test episode for a show concept hosted by Cleatus Waynewright, an American standard of living. 

Coming to you live and reporting from the Pissin' Pines Trailer Park. This episode finds Rusty Wizard getting an ear full from Cleatus about treating his wife (Flo) properly. Cleatus shares his wisdom for living a good life by securing benefits at Walmart. Cleatus forgot to pay the electric bills again as the show goes dark for a moment but not to worry, Cleatus has a backup plan. Just in time to introduce the Grand Avenue original video game by Imaginology. 

Kickin' it with Cleatus is part of "Puppetry with Purpose", an original program at Imaginology studio in Phoenix, AZ, designed to improve the human condition through animated puppetry, transformational art experiences and character development. 

 #laughterismedicine #funny #original #characters #puppet #show #webisodes #halloween #party #experience #afterlife #bony #tony #bonytony #bonehead #imaginology #comedy #writing #puppetry #art #culture #programs #family #performanceanimation #performance #animation #puppet #rig #live #streaming #video #cartoon #characterstudio #characters #monsters #creatures #special #specialeffects #afterlife #bony #tony #bonytony #imaginology #comedy #writing #puppetry #art #culture #programs #family #existential #phoenixanimationstudio #phoenixproductioncompany #arizonaartist #artworkshops #improvethehumancondition #liveanimation #livecgi

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Celebrating 25 Years of Imagination Technology at Imaginology

 

 

 

To celebrate Imaginology's 25 year anniversary of friends, faces, fun and imagination technology, we compiled the best clips from this last year, opening the new studio and peppered in a few surprises form our legacy.

Thank you for working with Imaginology to improve the human condition. We see you! The world sees you!

Imagination is the ultimate technology.

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Commissions and Inquiries: nathang@imaginology.com / 602-510-3563
Original Music: @lux.kiddo - Broncos Epic on the Cityscapes album 2020

#animation #puppetry #commercials #virtualfestival #livestreaming #characterstudio #videoproduction #characterdesign #artdirector #creativedirector #experiencedesign  #imaginology #imaginationtechnology #storymakers #narrative #digitalculture #asudigitalculture #legacy #improvethehumancondition

Opening a Virtual Streaming Studio - The First Year

In reflecting on a successful year of building a production studio during a pandemic, the items that come to mind are numerous and extensive. I will continue to share throughout this year as Imaginology turns 25 years of age in 2021, but I have outlined some top thoughts and insights gleaned from the last year of preparing for business.

Having dreams of a dedicated studio or physical location for decades and finally achieving this vision during a year of pandemic complications, economic disruption and political chaos somehow seems impossibly appropriate for the dualistic nature of the universe. In difficulty, comes opportunity. In chaos, comes order. In failure, comes success. In the form of lessons and long-term commitment. True are these things, especially if we validate that nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come, when combined with fortune favoring the prepared.

Although envisioning and intention work was undoubtedly required, it was only a small fraction of the complex formula and sacrifice required to advance a vision from mental exercise to action and implementation. The vision for an Imaginology studio is several decades in development and did not instantly appear. Thinking back to it's origins, Imaginology has always demanded a dedicated space and has had a handful of small offices and cubicles over the years. At it's most homey, Imaginology was installed into the garage of my home. Once your company has taken over your basement den and displaced your vehicles in the garage for the space required to complete production projects, it is clearly time to make the mighty move to establish a physical production studio location. (insert divorce, loss of home, bankruptcy, depression and a near death experience and you have a few more of the required ingredients for success, perhaps).

Family and friends - the secret sauce. Many individuals have committed to facilitate, support and enable Imaginology projects and productions over the years. The cost to create independent productions is a small fortune and the Imaginology community has paid dearly over the years and deserves any and all rewards, returns and recognition for their contributions that they reasonably request or require. It has always been an Imaginology belief that the individual has unlimited potential. Working with Imaginology leverages the individuals experience working with the brand and organization and enhances their experience in life in various ways and by experience design and the Imaginology CurriculumTM. The possibility and perhaps viability of an Imaginology studio exists as a direct result of the family and friends associated with and sometimes barreled over by the existence of a vision whose time has come. As Founding Director, it has been my personal responsibility to ensure the continued success and growth of Imaginology. Sometimes, just a simple association with me, results in a commitment to the organization, as I have fully dedicated my life's work to "improve the human condition" and therefore have pre-existing conditions associated with maintaining personal and intimate relationships. Separating work from self seems disconnected or disingenuous when attempting to accomplish projects and productions with precision, clarity and fidelity. Ultimately however, I Nathaniel Jack Greene, work for my kids. They will ultimately be the success or failure of me and have sacrificed the most. They should then withhold the majority stake in any future endeavors. They should both be included in our film productions as they are both incredibly beautiful and talented people inside and out.

Failure - the inevitable teacher. Undeniably, I have failed in my career as Chief Imaginologist and Founder. I have failed to meet the commitments required to grow the business as the potential demands. I have failed to expand internationally as the organization has needed. I have failed to fund projects and productions with the resources that would ensure global distribution or visibility and sometimes commercial success. I have failed to scream loud enough for help when I really, truly needed it and have also been just too stubborn to ask for the help that does not require screaming. I have failed to write or communicate about my failures as I am now. I have failed to maintain relationships for which the organization may have further benefitted from or been of benfit to. I have failed to cash in short term, for the prize inside at the bottom of the box. I have failed in my intimate relationships and loves. I have failed my family and I have failed myself. These acknowledgements of failure help inform success and are not acknowledged as a form of disappointment, rather, the hard, real-world truths of a business in the process of becoming and developing beyond the constraints of these failures. Acknowledging shortcomings helps to inform future decisions and success.

Humor - the essence of the human existence. Yes, it is ALL funny. Even in the most painful way. To have humor in the darkest hour is what the soul demands to survive during crisis. To chuckle at the imperfection of everything reminds you of just how human we all truly are. With a global pandemic at hand, America on fire and uncertainty being the new operating system, humor may be the antidote to the depressive nature of social politics that predominate the American psyche if not the global psyche. Funny thing is, we are now entering a new era of politics in America. Arguably, one of new direction and energy.

Advancements - The advancements we have made with Imaginology over 25 years are priceless and may only ever be counted by future generations. This is now by design, as we intend to extend the vision for an improved human condition into the next millenia as is increasingly necessary. Imaginology Foundation 2021-3030. Imaginology.org.

In conclusion, there is no conclusion. The process continues. Failures. Success. Hard work. Humor. Family and Friends. Those who have taken a strong stand with the mission to improve the human condition will continue to flourish as we establish the next generation of Imaginologists. Please contact me directly if you feel a gravity to our cause or wish to leverage our shared vision. We are seeking present and future Imaginologists now.

"Imagination is the ultimate technology."

Nathaniel Jack Greene
Founding Chief Imaginologist
nathang@imaginology.com

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