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Q & A: Elaine Kollias

The marketing director of Folkmanis talks about life with puppets.

Do you have a most popular puppet?
    The White Mouse or Monkey sell themselves, once someone slips them on their hand. With just a few little movements, the puppets come alive, giving immediate gratification to the budding puppeteer. What sets our puppets apart is really good design and execution with high-quality fabrics. We often hear from public libraries that our puppets outlast others because of this attention to detail and durable construction.

Who comes up with the designs? What’s been the strangest design?
     The designs come from everywhere. Our in-house designers often have a vision, and sometimes it comes from our founder, Judy Folkmanis. But often it’s material driven, meaning that we’ve found a new exciting fabric that screams some kind of animal. It does seem, though, that the most successful ones we have, in a way, “design themselves.” We welcome requests and suggestions on our website and we often act on them. The most bizarre request was for a “Toilet Puppet,” which we have yet to make.

You’re across the street from Pixar. Ever feel like it’s puppets vs. animation?
    That’s an understatement. But animation is king. It delivers instant satisfaction, whereas, with puppets, you actually have to do “work.” But puppets were really the first animation some 5,000 years ago. So although they’re sort of competing categories, they’re also partners. Only, on our side, you can cuddle with a puppet. I’d hate to cuddle with animation.

Has one of your puppets ever become famous?
    Oh, gosh, yes! It’s so fun and exciting for us to see one of our own make it into the big time! We have a few stars that we’re very proud of like “Bert the Farting Hippo,” from CBS’ NCIS — Naval Criminal Investigative Service. We have also developed a relationship with Craig Ferguson, late-night talk show host and puppet fan extraordinaire. We keep him well stocked with puppets, but the one that really took off is “Wavy” the crocodile, who has opened countless shows. Lately, Craig has bonded with “Standing White Rabbit” named Sid, who gives foul-mouthed commentary.

How often do you find yourself talking to a puppet at work?
    What? I can’t hear you over the puppet voices … Hey, over there, quiet down! Every puppet back in its place. NOW! Yes, sometimes we talk to them, and sometimes they talk back!