How do puppeteers do the puppets when there is no strings or hands to use?

Question:I know this is random, but I was watching a video with Elmo and Robert De Niro or something like that and elmo was sitting on a stool and there was no strings or hands and I didnt see anything just a stool and a moving talking puppet and i didnt see thin strings under the stood either just wondering how they do that

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I know this is random, but I was watching a video with Elmo and Robert De Niro or something like that and elmo was sitting on a stool and there was no strings or hands and I didnt see anything just a stool and a moving talking puppet and i didnt see thin strings under the stood either just wondering how they do that

many puppets are guided by sticks. I suspect your Elmo was still guided by hand and fishwire, with the help of tv. Shoot, we have CG, so maybe Elmo was all graphic.

My favorite puppet was Madame. She was an old dame run by a queen at heart. She was sticks and hand and a gorgeous dame!

I am muppetkiller by name because I love how they work! It doesn't remove the magic, for me!

when they do that they are using the real live elmo.