"Being Elmo" documents how Clash's interest in puppets developed early in childhood and how it lead him to work on a children's show at a local cable station in Baltimore, Maryland, when he was only a teenager. Just watching Clash and his parents recount the stories of his first puppet creation (which he made from his father's coat without asking permission) or neighborhood performances (once to raise money for an ill child) brought a smile to my face. The way Clash and his family remember it with such fondness made me delighted that this was the same man we let into our home every day to entertain our child.
I identified with Clash for my own love of Disney and Muppets as a shy kid. I once had dreams to be a Disney animator or Muppeteer. I went through a phase when I made puppets and put on shows (with my sister), like Clash, although mine were not nearly as good or well thought-out. Clash's ambition at a young age became obvious as he made more sophisticated puppets so quickly. I understand how puppetry was a way for Clash to come out of his shell, performing with a great character in his hand and hear the laughs from behind a curtain.
Clash was dedicated from a young age even though he was teased by other kids for his "strange" interest. His parents— especially his mother— were incredibly supportive. In the film, Elmo is described by a colleague as the culmination of all those years of love and support from this mother. One of the most telling stories about Clash's determination and motherly support was how his mother tracked down a "Muppet engineer" Clash saw on an interview with Jim Henson, his idol, showing off some wacky Muppets. His name was Kermit Love whom I can only assume was the inspiration for the name "Kermit the Frog". Clash so desperately wanted to know how to make the invisible or "Henson stitch" on his puppets. Somehow, his mother obtained a phone number and made a call to arrange for her son to go to New York City and meet Love who was more than happy to show this young, enthusiastic kid around his studio and pass along his tricks. This was the birth of a great mentor relationship that would result in Clash working for Jim Henson years later. The stuff that dreams are made of!
It was a surprise to me to discover that Elmo was around for years before Clash got his hands on him, but with a very different voice and demeanor. And much less popular. It's laughable to see the previous concepts! Elmo was the source of frustration for another Muppeteer, Richard Hunt, who tossed him to Clash out of desperation. Clash, after many characters failed to be very popular, felt the pressure to create something memorable and prove that he deserved to work with the Henson crew. Clash's summary of what inspired his Elmo creation was incredibly touching to me as a mom with a child that loves Elmo. He tried to find that one characteristic to define Elmo and make him memorable. After watching his daughter and other children play, he realized that Elmo— a toddler himself— was about love. The rest is history. Elmo became a the hug-loving Muppet we know today.
This documentary offers a lot of video of a young Kevin Clash and his early work (on his first show "Caboose" and later on "Captain Kangaroo") and follows until a very busy present day. This is a must-view for any parent with an Elmo-loving child or simply anyone with an appreciation for "Sesame Street" and the Muppets. Kevin Clash's story is one of inspiration— a child who made his dreams come true because of his love and determination for something that brought so much joy to others. It will give you a a new appreciation for Elmo and the man you never knew was responsible.
I leave you with video of one of my son's favorite songs:
