Caroll Spinney's VoiceMail for Jeni

Not long after the filming wrapped up for "I AM BIG BIRD," Caroll Spinney left me this lovely voice message, thanking him for helping out with the Kickstarter campaign, its promotion and original research. My name is in the credits under "Special Thanks" and I now have an IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7992874/?ref_=nv_sr_1

He still had my parents' phone number, so I had to edit out some personal detail. Big Bird makes a cameo appearance.

It was an absolute joy to help out with the film, and it did not feel like work at all. I love Caroll and Debi and would bend over backwards for them. It was an honor to help them and the guys at Copper Pot Pictures out.

Enjoy!

Jeni Rizio

Owner-Operator

CarollSpinney.net

Happy Birthday to Caroll Spinney!

Happy 84th Birthday to Caroll Spinney, the man behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch! 

Much love to you!

-Jeni Rizio

Owner-operator

http://www.carollspinney.net

RIP Richard Concepcion AKA Rapid T Rabbit

I must apologize for the delay in posting this memorial.

Richard Concepcion, of New York City, a long time fan of Caroll and someone who helped me develop Carollspinney.net, has passed away. His family had asked that people keep attention away from them during the immediate shock of his sudden passing on August 1st. It is completely understandable as Richard knew a lot of people and it has been said that the loss of a child is the worst form of trauma one can go through. Divorce and homelessness are other examples (my current situation), however I cannot imagine what it is like to lose a child as someone who has never given birth.

Please enjoy this video in Richard’s memory. I helped him out by performing the Dinosaur character Ricky Raptor in the Arthur Brown fan video for his song “Fire”.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AbqTNsMJ9sc

May Richard Rest In Peace.

Jeni

Treat yourself to “I AM BIG BIRD”

Hey!

I have not mentioned the film, I AM BIG BIRD, The Caroll Spinney Story in awhile.

Check it out on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Am-Big-Bird-Caroll-Spinney/dp/B00X5FX38I


While I have your attention, please go have a look at this interview I gave for the Muppet Mindset:

https://muppetmindset.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/interview-with-caroll-spinney-fan-site-operator-jeni-rizio/


And have a listen here over at the MuppetCast, free of charge on iTunes!

http://muppetcast.com/show-216

Have a good day.

Jeni
P.S. Look for my name in the credits. :)

Caroll Spinney Art

Check out this Caroll art! He is so talented. As an artist myself, I feel so blessed to consider my favourite artist a dear friend. I apologize about the lousy scans. I think you get the gist. :)

Cheers and enjoy,

Jeni

Carollspinney.net

Check out The Wisdom of Big Bird on your Nook or Kindle

Hey!

It has been awhile since I mentioned Caroll’s book, the Wisdom of Big Bird, so I thought it would be cool to mention that you can get it on your Nook or Kindle.

Here is the Nook link:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wisdom-of-big-bird-caroll-spinney/1121648032?type=eBook

Here is the Kindle link:

https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Bird-Genius-Oscar-Grouch-ebook/dp/B000XUADSQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Take care and enjoy!

Jeni

Guestbook working again

Hi there!

I have great news! After much persistence on my end, the web host of Caroll’s guestbook finally corrected the technical difficulties that were beyond my control.

Here, have a look:

http://carollspinney.net/docs/guestbook.html

Cheers.
Jeni

Hi!

In case you missed it, please check out this lecture Caroll Spinney gave, along with his pal Oscar the Grouch in 2012. This is a CarollSpinney.net exclusive!

Caroll Spinney 2012 Lecture at the University of Illinois

Jeni Rizio
Owner-Operator
CarollSpinney.net

Some Caroll Spinney Photos to Share

Enjoy!

Jeni Rizio

Owner-operator,

CarollSpinney.net

Caroll Spinney art :)

Check out this awesome Caroll Spinney art! :)

Cheers,

Jeni

http://www.twitter.com/jenirizio 

http://carollspinney.net

I Am Big Bird: Review by Jeni Rizio

It is hard to say what hasn't already been said, so I will try my best.

Let me begin by telling you that, on a scale of one to five stars, I Am Big Bird is off the charts. Library of Congress Living Legend Caroll Spinney deserves all the best and more in a tribute, and Copper Pot Pictures delivers.

The love between Caroll and his soulmate Debi radiates throughout the film, as well as his love for his friends and family. Caroll demonstrates pure love, as a humanitarian and as a human being. He is as real and down-to-earth as it gets. Caroll sets the example of how people should treat others: with dignity, honesty and respect. 

Caroll has experienced a lifetime of challenges; this Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner demonstrates how he pushed on through them with his resilient perseverance.

Go see this film to be moved, awed and inspired.

Theatre locations and times: check your local listings

Download: Amazon.com or iTunes 

Jeni Rizio

Owner/operator, The Official Caroll Spinney Fan Page

http://www.carollspinney.net

@jenirizio - Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/jenirizio

Yay! - I Am Big Bird coming to an iTunes and a theatre near you.

Hi!

A little birdie told me that I Am Big Bird is coming to ITunes and VOD on May 5th and theaters shortly thereafter!

Stay tuned to the Copper Pot Pictures site for more info: http://www.iambigbird.com

Also please check out The Official Caroll Spinney Fan Site: http://carollspinney.net

And last but not least, if you like, please follow me on Twitter: @jenirizio or  http://www.twitter.com/jenirizio

Thank you!

Jen

A long overdue update.

Hey everybody!

I am sorry I have been out of the loop with posting updates. Life circumstances (health related) have prevented me (Jeni) from taking a more active role in promoting I AM BIG BIRD. However, I am happy to say that the film has been incredibly well received by the fan community, and I am not surprised one bit. I am overjoyed at the standing ovations I have seen captured online on Copper Pot Pictures' Facebook and Twitter feeds. Caroll and Debi deserve nothing less. I am truly blessed to call them friends and to have helped out with the Kickstarter campaign to make this film a reality.

Speaking of Facebook and Twitter, please be sure to "like" the official I AM BIG BIRD Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/iambigbirdmovie

While you are at it, stop by their Twitter site:

https://twitter.com/iambigbirdmovie

And if you would be so kind, please follow me on Twitter, too:

https://twitter.com/JeniRizio

Thank you, and stay tuned to this blog and my Twitter feed for more updates as they become available!

Jeni

Get Your "I AM BIG BIRD" Tickets Now! Toronto Screenings: 28 Apr - 4 May 2014!

Hey everybody!

Get your tickets now, for the premiere screening of "I AM BIG BIRD: The Caroll Spinney Story" to be shown in Toronto, Ontario, Canada!

http://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/WebSales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=22774~446634ba-e848-4237-9b3c-72aceddb5263&epguid=3924bc05-2ffd-492e-98e9-1a131764fabd&

USA screenings will be announced as they become available!

Meanwhile, enjoy this trailer, as if you have not watched it 88888 times already! :-)

Jen

Video: Caroll Spinney & Oscar the Grouch @ University of Illinois

Check out this video, filmed and posted with the kind permission and blessing of Caroll and Debi Spinney.

The event took place on 28 Nov 2012 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Jeni

What a lovely talk! (Don't let Oscar hear that)

Wednesday night was one of the best nights ever. I mean it. Caroll Spinney and Oscar the Grouch spoke at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and I got to hang out with them! We got to hang out with his lovely wife Debi, too. They are such nice people. Caroll reminds me a lot of Jim Henson; I've said it for years. Caroll has been a huge inspiration to me for years and I am glad I got to reinforce it to him in person. I don't think he truly understands the impact he has had, and still has, on kids big and small all over the world. My gem of a husband, Josh, taped the event and I will be posting it once it's converted to digital format and ready for the Web.

Big Bird on SNL

Check out this Big Bird clip from Saturday Night Live:


I hope Big Bird got plenty of sleep the next day...it was way past his bed time! :)

"I AM BIG BIRD" News Article

Please check out this news article!

http://knowtheartist.com/i-am-big-bird-reveals-life-of-puppeteer-caroll-spinney/

"I AM BIG BIRD" director Dave LaMattina addresses the film's DVD and Blu-ray release schedule, his thoughts on Being Elmo, why Frank Oz turned down being Big Bird, how Oscar got his voice from a New York cabby, and how Big Bird was once set to board the Challenger.

Yay!

Thank you to all who contributed to the "I AM BIG BIRD" Kickstarter campaign! Because of fans like you, this film will be a reality.

A total of $124,115 was raised by 1,976 backers!


From the bottom of my heart, I cannot thank you enough! I cannot wait to see this film!

 

Jeni, Josh and Big Bird in 2011

Jeni

Less than two days left -- you still have time to help!

Hi all!

This is a friendly reminder that you have less than two days to contribute to the I AM BIG BIRD Kickstarter campaign. The more funds they raise, the more clips they can clear the rights more to include in the film!

Also, please check out this interview on The Muppet Mindset, where I talk about what it's like to operate CarollSpinney.net and to be a personal friend of Caroll's.

http://themuppetmindset.blogspot.com/2012/08/interview-with-caroll-spinney-fan-site.html

My husband Josh, Caroll and I in 2010

Caroll is super-awesome and I am super-excited about this film! Thank you to all who contributed and those who plan on helping out!

Jeni