Film explores the life of Carroll Spinney, the actor who has played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street since 1969.
The Toy Industry Association, in partnership with toy design firm Peru Meridian Studios, will be hosting a special screening of I Am Big Bird: The Carroll Spinney Story at US Toy Fair 2015.
The documentary will screen on Monday, February 16th at 8 pm at the AMC Theater on West 42nd Street.
The film explores the life of Carroll Spinney, the actor who has played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street since 1969. Produced and directed by Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker, the film will be released in theaters and on-demand by Tribeca Film in spring 2015.
“We are proud to announce that the screening of I Am Big Bird has been added to Toy Fair’s roster of enriching activities,” said Marian Bossard, senior vice president of global market events at TIA, owner and operator of Toy Fair.
“In addition to being a critical business hub, Toy Fair is home to top-notch educational programming and special events, which are designed to help attendees grow their businesses, expand their knowledge, and deepen their professional networks.”
Brett Klisch, owner of Peru Meridian Studios and host of US Toy Fair’s Creative Factor drop-in learning programme for inventors and designers, added: “I Am Big Bird was funded largely by Kickstarter donations, proving that in today’s day and age anything is possible if you have an innovative idea.
“In addition to viewing this inspiring film, I encourage Toy Fair’s creative community to attend our 11th annual Creative Factor program, which is designed to help entrepreneurs discover new techniques and tools (like Kickstarter) for developing great product.”
Toy Fair’s Creative Factor workshops will take place throughout the four-day marketplace and will cover how to use cost-effective 3D printing methods to increase productivity, new patent-filing programs and free legal advice offered by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the dos and don’ts for independent toy inventors looking to pitch their ideas to manufacturers, how to bring a toy invention to life and Kickstarter and other crowdfunding opportunities.
Tickets to I Am Big Bird: The Carroll Spinney Story will go on sale the week of January 19th for $25 (general admission) and $125 (special VIP cocktail + movie screening).
