"We're Not Candy!" PSA (Singing Pills) - Images

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The origin of the “We’re Not Candy” PSA with the puppet pills from September 2nd 1980. It was part o...

Puppets Easing Hospital Fears By DEB FARRELL Tribune Staff Writer Jasper the bear is trying to ease children's fears about being hospital- ized for operations. Jasper stars in two videotapes that were produced to make the big, bright hospital seem less formidable The tapes, produced in Bismarck last month by Kids Corner Ltd. for nation- al distribution, explain the realities of hospitals and operations in children's terms. Bismarck native Nancy Ekberg. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Ekberg, is one of the four women who founded the Colorado Springs, Colo., business. She composes its music. Both tapes are about Jasper, the furry bear, who goes to the hospital to I have his tonsils removed. He ex- presses his fears to his friend, Linda, who explains what is going to happen to him. Super Snooper and her sidekick, Word Bird, explain the big medical words doctors and nurses use, such as medicine and prescription. Snooper, the Sherlock Holmes of the canine world, dresses to fit the occasion and Word Bird, a fluffy bluebird, twitters helpful hints. Also, a blue pill barbershop quartet singing "we're not candy" explains the importance of keeping the pills in the bottle and taking medicine only when recommended by the doctor. The other three women in the busi- ness are Donna Guthrie, the founder and writer; Linda Railey, business manager and actress; and Valerie Morriss, professional puppeteer. The four women have been working on the tapes for 18 months. Filming the large puppets wasn't as easy as some might think. For exam- ple, when Jasper was in a hospital bed, the bed had to be taken apart so Valerie could operate the hand puppet from beneath it. Super Snooper's actions had to be coordinated by Valerie and Donna. The puppet was held high above their heads while they synchronized his movements by watching a monitor at their feet. This method of filming eliminated the traditional painted backdrop and allowed the puppets to be filmed in "real life" situations. The women hired Californian producer Clyde Smith and KFYR-TV cameraman Dan Steteson for the final work in Bismarck. The music had been recorded in Colorado and needed only to be incorporated into the tapes as the puppets were filmed in Bis- marck Hospital's pediatric ward and the fire-gutted former Downtowner Restaurant. Children in Bismarck Hospital and in Penrose Hospital, Colorado Srings, are featured in the videotapes so connection children can make the between the puppets and themselves. Tribune Photo by Tea Quanrud Nancy Ekberg with Word Bird, Donna Guthrie with Jasper, Valerie Morriss with Jennifer, and Linda Railey with Super Snooper. The pilot tapes are being shown twice a day for the children in the Penrose Hospital as a test run The women are producing three more tapes, which should be ready by early next year. They will deal with hospital operations, and include Jen- nifer, a blues singer who sings "I'm sick of being sick." Donna said she also would like to produce tapes on other subjects, such as diabetes, broken bones and dental work. The women's work is financed by a grant through Penrose Community Relations, Colorado Springs. The grant, however, isn't big enough so that the four women can afford to pay themselves. The video equipment they use is supplied by the Community. Relations, saving them more money. "We know there's a market out there for our tapes," Donna said. "Maybe someday we'll get paid."
Puppets Easing Hospital Fears By DEB FARRELL Tribune Staff Writer Jasper the bear is trying to ease children's fears about being hospital- ized for operations. Jasper stars in two videotapes that were produced to make the big, bright hospital seem less formidable The tapes, produced in Bismarck last month by Kids Corner Ltd. for nation- al distribution, explain the realities of hospitals and operations in children's terms. Bismarck native Nancy Ekberg. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Ekberg, is one of the four women who founded the Colorado Springs, Colo., business. She composes its music. Both tapes are about Jasper, the furry bear, who goes to the hospital to I have his tonsils removed. He ex- presses his fears to his friend, Linda, who explains what is going to happen to him. Super Snooper and her sidekick, Word Bird, explain the big medical words doctors and nurses use, such as medicine and prescription. Snooper, the Sherlock Holmes of the canine world, dresses to fit the occasion and Word Bird, a fluffy bluebird, twitters helpful hints. Also, a blue pill barbershop quartet singing "we're not candy" explains the importance of keeping the pills in the bottle and taking medicine only when recommended by the doctor. The other three women in the busi- ness are Donna Guthrie, the founder and writer; Linda Railey, business manager and actress; and Valerie Morriss, professional puppeteer. The four women have been working on the tapes for 18 months. Filming the large puppets wasn't as easy as some might think. For exam- ple, when Jasper was in a hospital bed, the bed had to be taken apart so Valerie could operate the hand puppet from beneath it. Super Snooper's actions had to be coordinated by Valerie and Donna. The puppet was held high above their heads while they synchronized his movements by watching a monitor at their feet. This method of filming eliminated the traditional painted backdrop and allowed the puppets to be filmed in "real life" situations. The women hired Californian producer Clyde Smith and KFYR-TV cameraman Dan Steteson for the final work in Bismarck. The music had been recorded in Colorado and needed only to be incorporated into the tapes as the puppets were filmed in Bis- marck Hospital's pediatric ward and the fire-gutted former Downtowner Restaurant. Children in Bismarck Hospital and in Penrose Hospital, Colorado Srings, are featured in the videotapes so connection children can make the between the puppets and themselves. Tribune Photo by Tea Quanrud Nancy Ekberg with Word Bird, Donna Guthrie with Jasper, Valerie Morriss with Jennifer, and Linda Railey with Super Snooper. The pilot tapes are being shown twice a day for the children in the Penrose Hospital as a test run The women are producing three more tapes, which should be ready by early next year. They will deal with hospital operations, and include Jen- nifer, a blues singer who sings "I'm sick of being sick." Donna said she also would like to produce tapes on other subjects, such as diabetes, broken bones and dental work. The women's work is financed by a grant through Penrose Community Relations, Colorado Springs. The grant, however, isn't big enough so that the four women can afford to pay themselves. The video equipment they use is supplied by the Community. Relations, saving them more money. "We know there's a market out there for our tapes," Donna said. "Maybe someday we'll get paid."

"We're Not Candy!" PSA (Singing Pills)
newspaper bismarck tribune nancy ekberg