Puppets, Props, & Practical Effects

Halloween brought a whole lot of work to the Saturday Night Live props and puppets team! In this minisode of Puppets, Props, & Practical Effects, Marc and Michael look back at a particularly prop-heavy episode and share the stories behind the builds that made it to the screen. From a rollercoaster car to an animatronic bird, an adorable robot puppet named PD44, and a last-minute police-dog puppet for a Paw Patrol sketch, the team had their hands full. They talk about building a functioning, joystick-controlled robot puppet in just 24 hours, creating a foam grabber claw for a very delicate gag, and adapting existing props and puppets when new ideas arrive just hours before airtime. They also get into the collaboration between practical effects and visual effects—including how VFX helped bring PD's giant robot transformation to life—and what it's like to puppeteer a character on a live television set with almost no rehearsal. It's a look at the creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and controlled chaos that go into making SNL happen every week. In This Episode: The Halloween episode's ride car and animatronic bird builds Creating PD44, a functioning robot puppet, in just 24 hours How practical puppetry and VFX worked together A custom grabber claw built for a particularly sensitive comedy bit The challenges of puppeteering with a live audience and almost no rehearsal The teamwork and last-minute problem-solving behind Saturday Night Live Enjoy what you hear? Follow our feed and leave us a review so we can bring you more behind the scenes views on your favorite movies, shows, and productions! Have a question or a topic you'd like us to explore? Email us at [email protected] To follow more fun puppet, props and practical effect builds, follow Monkey Boys at: Website: https://monkeyboysproductions.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monkeyboysproductions/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet  

We're kicking things off with someone who has had an enormous influence on our careers and the world of theatrical puppetry: Marty Robinson. Marty is a puppeteer, puppet builder, designer, and special effects artist whose work helped bring one of musical theater's most iconic characters to life: Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors. Marc and Michael sit down with Marty to revisit the origins of the original OFF off Broadway Little Shop of Horrors stage production, how he came to design and build the original Audrey II puppets, and what it took to evolve those designs for the show's 2003 Broadway production. We get into the nuts and bolts of puppet fabrication, from foam and Silastic to structural engineering, counterbalance mechanisms, and the creative problem-solving that happens when you're building something that has never been built before. Marty also shares stories about working alongside Howard Ashman, his experiences as Snuffleupagus on Sesame Street, the unique relationship between puppeteer and voice performer, and the people who helped shape his journey. And there's exciting news: Marty is finally directing his first production of Little Shop of Horrors, bringing his original Audrey II creations back to the stage! Whether you're a puppeteer, practical effects artist, theater enthusiast, builder, or just someone who loves knowing how movie and stage magic actually works, there's something in this conversation for you. In this episode: How Marty first became involved with Little Shop of Horrors through Julie Taymor and Howard Ashman. Building the original Audrey II puppets for the Off-Off-Broadway production in 1982. The materials, techniques, and improvisation behind the original plant designs. The evolution of Audrey II from the original production to the 2003 Broadway production. Designing a massive, mechanically assisted Audrey II for Broadway. The importance of collaboration between puppeteers and voice performers. A special announcement: Marty is preparing to direct Little Shop of Horrors at the Richfield Theater Barn in October 2027, featuring his original Audrey II plants returning to the stage! A huge "Thanks!" to Marty for being our first guest, sharing decades of stories, and being such an important mentor and supporter of Monkey Boys Productions. This is just the beginning! Subscribe, follow along, and join us for more conversations from the world of practical effects! Visit Monkey Boys Productions at: https://monkeyboysproductions.com/  

Welcome to Puppets, Props, & Practical Effects by Monkey Boys Productions! Monkey Boys Productions has become the leading studio for creating puppets, props, creatures, costumes, practical effects and entertainment for film, television and stage. Take a seat with our co-founders, Marc and Michael, to talk about the awesome stuff that fabricators, puppeteers, and propmasters make to bring your favorite entertainment to life!