Television
The World of Working with Puppets in Film and TV
2024-11-26
When it comes to working on sets for film or TV, the presence of a puppet as a co-star can be a unique experience. On the surface, one might assume that acting is acting regardless of the scene partner. However, former SNL sketch star and head writer Seth Meyers has some valuable insights to share from his time working with the incomparable Kermit the Frog.

Unlock the Secrets of Working with Puppets

Working with Kermit the Frog on SNL

In a captivating Instagram clip from his late night talk show interview with actor and comedian Brett Goldstein, Seth Meyers recounted Goldstein's appearance on Sesame Street, with Goldstein going as far as to call it "the best day of my life." Shortly after, Meyers shared his own encounter with Kermit during his time on SNL. He was given crucial advice on how to interact with the puppet. As Meyers said, "Just remember look at Kermit, don't look at the puppeteer." At first, it seemed challenging as he knew where the voice was coming from. But within just 30 seconds, he found himself locking eyes with Kermit and realizing, "You're the only thing here that I care about."This experience highlights the unique challenges and joys of working with puppets. It shows that despite the initial hesitation, there is a certain connection that can be formed when actors look into the eyes of these puppets.

Experiences of Other Actors with Iconic Puppet Characters

Star Wars' Ewan McGregor shared his time with Yoda, revealing that it was a bit unsettling when the cameras stopped rolling and the puppet lost its life-like presence. This showcases the different aspects of working with puppets and the impact it can have on actors.Shows like Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance also faced challenges regarding the puppets and their voices. In some cases, the voices were provided by different actors than the puppeteers themselves, adding another layer of complexity to the production.

The Evolution of Kermit's Voice

Even the big frog Kermit himself has had to undergo a few vocal changes over the years. These changes add to the charm and uniqueness of the character. For a moment of pure fun, check out the clip of Seth Meyers and Brett Goldstein.The world of practical effects truly feels like a mystery at times. But it is fascinating to see that the best advice is to simply look puppets in the eyes. After all, eyes are often said to be the window to the soul, whether it's a puppet or a human. It's quite amusing to think that both Meyers and Goldstein stated that once they looked into the puppets' eyes, they were, in a way, lovestruck.If you want to enjoy the full talk with Goldstein, you can catch Late Night with Seth Meyers weeknights on NBC or with a Peacock subscription. And if you're interested in seeing Brett Goldstein in action, you can catch him in Ted Lasso and Shrinking with an Apple+ subscription.
The Dangerous Sabbatical: Muncie Daniels' Fight for Justice
2024-11-26
Muncie Daniels, a political consultant who transitioned into a TV pundit, was about to embark on a work sabbatical in the Poconos. He had grand dreams of writing his "great American novel," but little did he know that this seemingly peaceful break would turn his life upside down. One day, while engaged in his writing, he witnessed the brutal murder of a notorious white supremacist. This event set in motion a chain of events that would test his courage and resilience.

Uncover the Truth in a Post-Truth World

Witnessing the Crime

Muncie Daniels was in a state of shock as he witnessed the murder. It was a terrifying moment that he would never forget. The victim was a well-known figure in the community, and his death sent shockwaves through the area. Muncie knew that he had to do something to help bring the killer to justice.However, his troubles were far from over. Suddenly, someone framed him for the crime, and he found himself on the run. He had to leave everything behind and start a new life in hiding. This was a difficult decision for him, but he knew that he had no other choice.

Reconnecting with Family

During his perilous journey, Muncie had the opportunity to reconnect with his estranged family. He realized that he had taken them for granted and that he needed to make amends. His family was initially hesitant to trust him again, but as they saw the determination in his eyes, they began to support him.Together, they faced the challenges that came their way. They helped each other stay strong and find the courage to face the truth. Muncie's relationship with his family was transformed during this time, and he realized the importance of family in times of crisis.

Forging Unexpected Alliances

In his quest to clear his name, Muncie forged unexpected alliances with people from all walks of life. He met a diverse group of individuals who were willing to help him uncover the truth. These alliances were crucial in his fight against the complex global conspiracy that was trying to destroy his life.Through these alliances, Muncie learned valuable lessons about trust and cooperation. He realized that he couldn't do it alone and that he needed the support of others. Together, they worked towards a common goal and made significant progress in their investigation.

Confronting Disinformation

In a post-truth era, disinformation was rampant. Muncie had to navigate through a sea of false information and misinformation to find the truth. He used his skills as a political consultant to analyze the situation and separate fact from fiction.He also realized the power of the media in spreading disinformation. He saw how the media could be used to manipulate public opinion and create chaos. Muncie decided to use his platform as a TV pundit to expose the truth and fight against the insidious power of disinformation.
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ShowHeroes Expands Attention Index to Connected TV with TVision
2024-11-27
ShowHeroes, a renowned specialist in sustainable digital video advertising and CTV solutions, has made a significant move by extending its proprietary Attention Index model to connected TV (CTV). This expansion is the result of a collaborative effort with TVision, a leading provider of television measurement and audience attention data. The partnership not only broadens the global reach of ShowHeroes' attention measurement offerings but also complements their existing alliance with Adelaide, which was launched earlier this year.

Partnership Highlights and Benefits

The Attention Index for CTV is set to leverage TVision's advanced measurement panel. This panel captures real-time, second-by-second data on audience engagement, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of viewer behavior. TVision tracks viewer attention and interaction across both linear and streaming TV platforms without the need for active panelist participation. It accurately identifies who is in the room, what content is being viewed, and importantly, whether the viewers are truly engaged.This partnership brings several advantages. Hassan Babajane, Chief Revenue Officer at TVision Insights, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, "We're thrilled to partner with ShowHeroes Group to offer the power of attention measurement to their global customers. Our passive, in-home measurement panel provides exceptional precision in understanding how viewers interact with content on the screen. By integrating our attention data with ShowHeroes' innovative Attention Index, we're enabling advertisers to gain deeper insights that help them reach audiences in meaningful and impactful ways across the expanding CTV ecosystem."Kay Schnider, SVP of Global Product & Business Development at ShowHeroes Group, emphasized the importance of attention in a fragmented media landscape. He commented, "Attention has emerged as one of the most crucial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for brands striving to stand out in a cluttered media environment. By expanding our Attention Index to CTV in partnership with TVision, we're setting a new benchmark for how advertisers measure and optimize their media investments on a global scale."Sarah Lewis, Global CTV Director at ShowHeroes, added that this advancement is a crucial milestone. She stated, "This progress provides our clients worldwide with cutting-edge tools to measure audience engagement in the rapidly evolving CTV landscape. It allows us to offer more accurate and valuable insights to our clients, helping them make more informed decisions about their advertising strategies."

How the Attention Index Works

The Attention Index operates by leveraging TVision's advanced measurement panel. This panel tracks viewer behavior in real-time, providing detailed information about who is watching, what they are watching, and how engaged they are. The data collected is second-by-second, allowing for a granular understanding of viewer attention.For example, during a TV program, the system can identify which viewers are in the room and actively engaged with the content. It can also detect when viewers' attention wavers or when they are distracted by other activities. This level of detail enables advertisers to gain a deeper understanding of their target audience and how they interact with different types of content.

Impact on Advertisers

The integration of TVision's attention data with ShowHeroes' Attention Index has a significant impact on advertisers. Advertisers can now access deeper insights into how their ads are performing and how viewers are engaging with them. This information allows them to optimize their advertising strategies and make more targeted investments.For instance, advertisers can identify which ads are capturing the most attention and which ones are falling flat. They can also use this data to tailor their ads to better suit the preferences and behaviors of their target audience. By doing so, they can increase the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and achieve better results.In conclusion, the expansion of ShowHeroes' Attention Index to CTV with TVision is a significant development in the digital advertising industry. It provides advertisers with powerful tools to measure and optimize their media investments, helping them reach audiences in more meaningful and impactful ways.
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