2P2: Revisted
Or: A Boy Raised by (Stuffed) Wolves
a kate west revisit
(original review here)
As a child, Bill Olson believed everything
around him was alive, with actual feelings. Especially his stuffed animals
(to let you in on a little secret: HE STILL BELIEVES THIS.) More on this later.
Bill grew up (if you can really call it that) to be an actor, a juggler, a
teacher of the Alexander
Technique and a puppeteer with Lunatique Fantastique. He likes to say he misspent his adulthood with decades of acting, directing,
writing and producing. But it paid off (another little secret: NOT WITH MONEY - do you see where this is going?)
Bill did what anyone would do (right?) and put his imagination on
film (this is the later part).
Enter the stuffed animals. Again. Proving the world is
big enough for any type of imagination. Influenced by Jim Henson and Warner Brothers’ Looney Tunes, Bill found the perfect outlet for his artistic
bent by forming Two Plush Two Productions (2P2). What is it? According to 2P2’s Mission Statement, it is "a video production
team founded to create quality entertainment for everyone through a unique form
of storytelling; presenting the world as it should be, through the eyes of
stuffed animals."
How does this work? Essentially, he and his crew manipulate stuffed animals on camera into simple
stories, set to different soundtracks. And just so we’re clear, it’s important
to see the hand manipulation, because we need to
see the blend of fantasy and reality. Remember playing with stuffed animals as a kid? It's like that, but more poignant. And funnier. And on video.
And infectious. Because Two Plush Two (2P2)
is increasingly getting requests for videos. Chris Ballew, lead singer of The
Presidents of the United States of America, was so excited by the video “More
Bad Times”, which interpreted the Presidents' song, that he asked 2P2 to
do a video for a children's song he recorded as Caspar Babypants. He says he was struck
by an excellently done slow motion shot in one of the earlier videos so he
commissioned 2P2 to do “Baby’s Getting Up” (later followed by "The Frogs"). This success was followed by a
request from Seattle musician Jonathan Shue to illustrate his lovely lyrical
ballad, “Bartholomew”, that celebrates following dreams. He had so much fun with 2P2 that he wrote his own version of "Deck the Halls" for the stuffed animals to act out. Musicians seem to love the way 2P2 interprets their themes and images.
In fact, these “critter” stories really do speak to everyone.
From the classic tortoise and the hare tale, to beloved toys missing their
owner (she’s off at college), it’s riveting storytelling. And it really is a unique point of view. To give you a small example, in one scene, the
animals want to mail a letter, but don’t know how. They get the concept of
mail, just not how it’s delivered. Their solution is adorably
touching.
Oh and by the way, only one of them actually talks. That would be C.C. the black
cat and unofficial spokesperson for 2P2 (watch him at a recent red
carpet event here). Nothing will change Bill’s mind about this.
See for yourself in this exclusive Kate West interview:
Bill never lets go of this magic. That’s
what makes it work, and makes everyone around him believe it too. Which is why
the “critters” seem so real. They feel acutely and get the message of the story
across in a fun and direct way. Its gentle Henson-like humor is
never mean, and usually quite sweet. The greatest appeal is the way the "critters" deal with challenges - their creativity and teamwork present an idealized version of humanity. It’s obvious
the 2P2 crew love what they are doing too. Bill and his human cast
often share “Eureka” moments on set, which he generally voices with a pleased
yelp, to the great amusement of his fellow plush fans.
The other reason it works is because we want to let
our guards down a little and pretend again for a little while. To see the world
from a younger, more innocent place. That’s definitely worth paying attention
to. Plus (plush) it's pretty dang cute.
Thanks listening. And watching, if you’re
inclined. Links to all below.
About Two Plush Two Productions
Some of us never grow up. Or at least we still know
how to feed that inner child. We hold on tight to that sense of wonder. If
you’ve ever felt your toys were real - if you remember loving them as true
friends, and you fervently want to keep believing in childhood magic, we can
help you. Two Plush Two Productions is a video production company
started by friends just for fun. We make awesome videos starring stuffed
animals (that we all still love and adore) acting out simple stories.
Intrigued? Check us out on YouTube.
2P2 on
YouTube
2P2 on Facebook
2P2 on Twitter @TwoPlushTwo
Earlier 2P2 review here
Bill Olson (the mad Pied Piper behind the critters) would like to thank:
Village
Stationers
Sugar Shack
Leaf and Petal
Read more!
Shannon
Feathers
Cadillac
Tom Cruise
