By Jessica Goldschmidt and Tamar MacKay
A Portrait of Dr. Sheepish. Photo: Ben Cohen |
BAM: Thank you so much for meeting with us, Dr. Sheepish. You’re looking great, by the way.
Dr. Shep Sheepish: Oh, shucks.
BAM: Oh dear, I didn’t mean to make you blush!
Dr. Shep Sheepish: Oh, no I’m sorry! It happens so easily for me. It’s a little embaaaa-rrassing.
BAM: That’s really okay. It’s thrilling to have a real expert here in the BAM Rose Cinemas. Can you tell us a little bit more about what you’re looking forward to most in the lineup?
Dr. Shep Sheepish: Ah. Yes. Well, at the risk of jumping the proverbial fence, I’m inclined to say this might just be the best year ever for this festival. And I mean ever! Oh, my, I think I’m getting carried away….what I’m saying is that there is a great variety of programs.
BAM: Anything in particular that intrigues you professionally? I know that you're the best in your field, both literally and figuratively.
Dr. Shep Sheepish: The Little Shop of Horrors Sing-Along should prove very informative as a subject example of puppet/human relations turned a little … well, ram-bunctious. I’m quite shy and don’t usually like to sing in public, plus it’s past my bedtime, but this is such an exciting event that I will be attending.
Tamar MacKay interviews Dr. Sheepish. Photo: Ben Cohen
BAM: I guess you can count your sheep friends later. Any of the newer films that you’re excited about?
Dr. Shep Sheepish: Oh, yes! Bouton, about the puppeteer who finds solace in her puppets. It just proves my longtime hypothesis that we are, indeed, an un-ewe-usually therap-ewe-tic genus.
BAM: Yes, I’m really comforted by your presence!
Dr. Shep Sheepish: Oh, well, I mean, shucks.
BAM: You’re blushing again, Doctor.
Dr. Shep Sheepish: I guess compliments make my head go all wooly.
BAM: Don’t worry about it. Let’s talk diversity. You’re of the more, I guess you’d say “fuzzy” puppet breeds, but there are whole other species represented in the festival.
Dr. Shep Sheepish: Oh yes indeed, a really broad scope. I’m particularly excited to dig up some of my rusty Mandarin for a chat with the shadowy fellows in Chinese Theatre Works: Tiger Tales. You know I did my masters coursework in Ancient Puppetology with an emphasis on Eastern modes, but that was so long ago... it will be a real challenge to engage these 2,000-year-old friends in dialogue.
BAM: I guess that’ll give you something to ruminate on, eh Doctor?
Dr. Shep Sheepish: I don’t think jokes about my digestive system are funny.
BAM: Oh geez, I’m sorry about that. I feel so… well…
Dr. Shep Sheepish: Don’t say it.
Puppets on Film runs October 25—27 at BAM Rose Cinemas and BAM Fisher.
This interview made possible by the Sweatshirt Sheep Puppetmaking Workshop.
Photo: Ben Cohen |
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