There wasn't much money in television in those days anyhow.
At the University of Maryland, my first year I started off planning to major in art because I was interested in theatre design, stage design or television design.
I decided that what I really wanted to do was go off and paint.
I think my own strengths are in television production.
I was very interested in theatre, mostly in stage design. I did a little bit of acting.
My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.
The only way the magic works is by hard work. But hard work can be fun.
We thought it would be fun to try to design a show that would work well internationally and so that' s what we're intending to do with Fraggle Rock, and we are indeed now selling it around the world.
When I was a kid, I never saw a puppet show. I never played with puppets or had any interest in them.
Yeah, I did some small parts in high school and the first year of college and then fairly soon thereafter I settled into the backstage scenery, and then at the University of Maryland I was doing posters for their productions.
We never really loose a certain sense we had when we were kids. That sense of looking around at this big world and not knowing who we are and what we're supposed to be doing.
Yeah, so you know that my feeling about puppetry relates to stylization, simplicity, boiling down to - it's a wonderful form and I really love it.
The most sophisticated people I know - inside they are all children.
One of the nice things about puppets is that it's your own hand in there. You can make it do anything you want it to.
I don't resent working long hours. I shouldn't--I'm the one who set up my life this way. I love to work. It's the thing that I get the most satisfaction out of--and probably what I do best. Not that I don't enjoy days off. I love vacations and loafing around. But I think much of the world has the wrong idea of working. It's one of the good things in life. The feeling of accomplishment is more real and satisfying than finishing a good meal--or looking at one's accumulated wealth.
Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending.
My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there.
Nobody creates a fad. It just happens. People love going along with the idea of a beautiful pig. It's like a conspiracy.
Despite this discussion of things spiritual - I still think of myself as a very 'human' being. I have the full complement of weaknesses, fears, problems, ego, and sensuality. But I think this is why we're here - to work our way through all this, and, hopefully, come out a bit wiser and better for having gone through it all.
I believe in taking a positive attitude toward the world, toward people, toward my work. I think I'm here for a purpose. I think it's very likely that we all are, but I'm only sure about myself. I try to tune myself in to whatever it is that I'm supposed to be, and I try to think of myself as a part of all of us - all mankind and all life. I find it's not easy to keep these lofty thoughts in mind as the day goes by, but it certainly helps me a great deal to start out this way.
I believe that life is basically a process of growth - that we go through many lives, choosing situations and problems that we will learn through.
I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality, and that everything works out for the best. I know I drive some people crazy with what seems to be ridiculous optimism, but it has always worked out for me.
I don't know exactly where ideas come from, but when I'm working well ideas just appear. I've heard other people say similar things - so it's one of the ways I know there's help and guidance out there. It's just a matter of our figuring out how to receive the ideas or information that are waiting to be heard.
I spend a few minutes in meditation and prayer each morning. I find that this really helps me to start the day with a good frame of reference. As part of my prayers, I thank whoever is helping me - I'm sure that somebody or something is - I express gratitude for all my blessings and try to forgive the people that I'm feeling negative toward. I try hard not to judge anyone, and I try to bless everyone who is part of my life, particularly anyone with whom I am having any problems.
I think there are lots of ways of leading very good lives and growing spiritually. This process of growth goes on whether we believe in it or not If our 'message' is anything, it's a positive approach to life. That life is basically good. People are basically good Simple is Good.
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