Tepper's Tots
Often called an "Ultra Modern Mister Rogers" Tepper’s Tots is a “funny, fool-ey show” about kindness, curiosity, trust, and self discovery for tots at heart, young and old.
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Tepper SaffrenDirector
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Tepper SaffrenWriter
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Tepper SaffrenProducer
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Tepper SaffrenKey Cast
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Johnny Brantley iiiKey Cast
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Serena HopeKey Cast
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Nayem LopezKey Cast
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Jackson PerrinKey Cast
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Hannah BenitezKey Cast
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Gabriel BernalKey Cast
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HappinessKey Cast
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Bowie PoagEditor
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Stanley MitchellTechnical Director
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Project Type:Television
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Runtime:28 minutes
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Completion Date:December 4, 2019
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Production Budget:0 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
Howdy, I’m Tepper, the heart behind Tepper’s Tots. A musician, artist, and fool living in NYC.
Educating and entertaining children has been my livelihood for the past 4 years. Leading songwriting workshops, teaching art practices, and discovering ways to kindle love, support, and trust in children’s creative lives. A foundation in creative problem solving, emotional intelligence, and process oriented thinking (found through creative practice) is imperative to our growth, and it’s absolutely necessary to start early.
My story is told in four different states:
California: I was raised in a household filled with art. It was on every wall. It was in every word. Little quotes here and there that bounced my brain to think deeply and wonder, with curiosity, what they meant. "As you ramble on through life, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole."
Texas: I studied theatre and art in college. I discovered what it meant to be responsible for your life and your learning, what it meant to work hard and devote yourself to a craft. During my time at Texas State University I released an album, a poetry book, dozens of drawings, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. It was a full and fulfilling four years.
West Virginia: With all my classmates in Texas packing their bags to move to New York City, I knew I still needed some time to ferment. I played a game of “pin the tail on the donkey” with a map of the US and found myself in West Virginia, car stuffed with everything I owned. I challenged myself to live a year somewhere I knew absolutely no one. I found home in a trailer park where I devoted my days to writing, playing music, creating art, and making a living through odd jobs around the community (like playing the Easter bunny at the mall). Over time I grew bored of the small town trailer park life, traded my car and moved into a van I built into a mobile home. Keeping costs low, I was able to survive traveling the state, writing poems for people on the street and playing music around town. I learned how to be adaptable and adoptable in any situation.
New York: After a year in West Virginia, I packed my van and moved to New York City. The city guided me towards children’s education. I immediately got an acting job with a children’s theatre, which led me to a job writing and performing music for children, which led me to a job creating my own children’s art, music, and life classes, which led me to creating Tepper’s Tots.
I believe in trusting your compass, following your feelings. They will drive you down the road, they will float you along the river. And my friends, that is why I know my life’s devotion is here, with you, now.
I saw a need for a consistent grown up friend in our children’s lives. A role once filled by Mister Rogers, and no one since. I believe I am here to fill that role now, and I’m excited to share this journey with you.
As you ramble on through life, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole,
Tepper Saffren
howdy@tepperstots.com
Many children in the world have no consistent role model. For many years we had people who filled this necessary space, Mr. Rogers being the recent as prolific. Since "The Neighborhood" left the air, no one has filled this place.
The only human figures in children's media right now are blatant advertisements to children like Ryan's Toy Review and Blippi. Tepper's Tots fills this role to become a consistent grown up friend giving unconditional love, kindness, curiosity, and trust to children around the globe.