Local Tourist: Jim Henson Exhibit at Henry Ford Museum

Yesterday the Local Tourist went to the Henry Ford Museum to see the Jim Henson Exhibit.  While the exhibit detailed the length of Henson's career, it should not surprise anyone that the most popular parts of the exhibit featured Sesame Street characters and the Muppets.

I am always fascinated by the creative process that results in what we end up seeing.  There were a few descriptions of the Muppets as they were being created, as we as story boards and scripts for segments of Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.  Those things are really cool, and increase your appreciation for the final result.  Among these sketches were descriptions for generic Muppets, that is, Muppets that could become several characters from a blank model--an orange Muppet, a fat blue Muppet, a tall yellow Muppet, a short green Muppet, etc.....

Below are a handful of the characters on display.  In addition, Peter got to construct his own Muppet (see below), and we both got to practice making a Muppet come to life on the screen.  Sad to say, that will only live as a memory; we got no footage--but we were really good.

Sketches of Bert as he was being created.

If you have never seen how they filmed Sesame Street with all the Muppets, here is an image. 

I wonder how long they could go before they lost all feeling in their arms.

These Muppets are designed to look like Jim Henson (left), Frank Oz (center), and (Jerry Nelson) right.