Case studyA scripted puppet comedy built by a small crew in a converted garage, from the first sketch of Rico to five released episodes.
How we made Paul & Rico
A scripted puppet comedy built by a small crew in a converted garage, from the first sketch of Rico to five released episodes.
- My role
- Co-creator, producer, writer, performer, editor
- Timeline
- Nov 2025 to now
- Output
- 5 episodes, plus shorts and a trailer
- Funding
- $10,000 private support
- Tools
- Adobe Premiere Pro, [audio and music software]
01 The concept
[Where the idea for Paul & Rico came from, and what you wanted the show to feel like.]
[Who Paul and Rico are, and why puppets were the right way to tell the story.]
02 The crew
Kyle DentonCo-creator, writer, editor, music. Voice and puppeteer of Rico.
Gabriel RosentalCo-creator & Actor (Show host: Paul)
[Name][Role on the show.]
Guest writer, Los AngelesInterested in writing a guest episode. [Status.]
03 The process
- AWriting[How episodes get written and rewritten.]
- BDesigning the puppetsI drew all three characters, then worked with the crew to build them.
- CBuilding the studioWe converted a garage into a working set, arranging cameras, lighting, sets and props.
- DShooting[How a shoot day runs, and how performing a puppet changes the blocking.]
- EEditing, sound and musicI cut the episodes and edited dialogue in Adobe Premiere Pro and made much of the music.
04 What went wrong
Problem[A problem you hit on set or in post.]
What we did[How you solved it.]
Problem[A second problem.]
What we did[How you solved it.]
ProblemStretching a $10,000 budget.
What we didSplit it across equipment, studio needs and YouTube promotion. [What you'd do differently.]
05 Results
5episodes released
$10Kraised from our trailer
[#][views or subscribers]
1LA guest writer in talks
[What you learned, and what's next for the show.]