On 10 August 2024, I finally debuted my short puppet show, “Channels,” at the Puppets Up International Puppetry Festival in Almonte, Ontario. Here’s a video!
As you may recall, all of the TV audio was recorded by me while channel surfing in 2015 and 2016.
Back in 2019, one of my favourite musical artists, Rich Aucoin, posted a photo to Instagram where he laid out the major influences for his album, “Release.”
I thought this was a great idea, and I decided to do it myself. Here’s Mumford with the main sources of inspiration for “Channels.”
From the Firesign Theatre‘s album DON’T CRUSH THAT DWARF, HAND ME THE PLIERS (1970), I got the idea of channel changing.
From Kelly Mark’s art installation REM (2007), I got the idea of recording footage off TV and assembling clips into a collage.
From Aardman Animations’ short film CREATURE COMFORTS (1989), I got the idea of recontextualizing found audio with new visuals.
From Bob Nathanson’s short puppet show TURN, TURN, TURN (2015), I got the idea of hiding props behind a curtain and bringing them out to surprise the audience.
From the 7 March 1982 strip of Berkeley Breathed’s newspaper comic BLOOM COUNTY, I got the idea of showing a TV set in profile, and having things come out of the screen and attack the character watching it.
If you run a variety show (or burlesque event, or comedy night) in Ottawa, I’d love to perform “Channels” at your event! Drop me a line.
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