If you’ve listened to Episode Zero of Pixels and Puppets, you probably know that I’ve wanted to be in some form of entertainment media production ever since I was a kid. After you’d stopped laughing because of the hilarious opening skit, of course (shoutout Scarlet).
O:P is the first of many projects that has actually found an audience, but through every project (ask me about both the Star Wars and Star Trek fan films some time) I’ve often joked that I’m basically the Kermit of the group. As Operation: Puppet grows, that’s truer now more than ever.
If we think about Kermit’s role in The Muppets, while he’s the driving force and organizer, he’s not necessarily the most interesting or dynamic or even talented one. The Muppets are a rag-tag group of eccentrics and weirdos, all bringing something different to the table, all with their own drives and motivations. It’s Kermit’s job to organize and motivate them. Kermit doesn’t even often perform himself, he’s the host, introducing the performers.
Kermit is essentially an administrator. The reason we think of Kermit as a “leader” isn’t because he’s issuing orders (although ‘organizing’ sometimes means handing out assignments), it’s because he’s the North Star everyone is navigating by. He’s a fixed and known entity, always there, always dependable, always with an answer. He’s a cohesive force, bringing together a disparate group and motivating them into producing things.
It’s a lovely position to be in, and people in such positions are often driven by things we can’t explain. I honestly don’t know why I’ve always wanted to make entertainment media, other than I want to bring something to people’s lives that puts a smile on their face. It’s not entirely altruistic either, it genuinely feels great to make people happy. That’s something that the anti-empathy, tough guy toxic bro culture just doesn’t understand.
And yet, there is a flipside. It can be quite lonely being The Kermit. Everyone turns to Kermit, but who can Kermit turn to? Sometimes, in the midst of a crowd of people he’s brought together, Kermit is still in some way alone.
I don’t want to seem like I’m trying to start a pity party, and the fact is Kermit has put himself in this position. It’s part of the deal, part of the mechanics that makes the whole machine run. But as more folks come on board O:P I’m keenly aware that I need to sometimes just take a step back and either have me time, or work time, and that means just unplugging and focusing. I’ve developed a couple of tools to help me manage that and I’m being quite open with the community when I need that.
In the end, it’s all worth it. I’m proud of what O:P has become and is continuing to become. It’s still just beginning, and I’m bound to make mistakes, but I plan to be your Kermit for as long as you want me to be.
“Yeah, well, I’ve got a dream too, but it’s about singing and dancing and making people happy. That’s the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with.” – Kermit the Frog
Coffee. But in a teacup that says “Kermit”.