O.k I'm starting a new project that deals with wire puppets basically an action figure you can move into almost any pose.

I'm doing it for I have an idea to turn some if not all of my present and future comics into hand build sets comics instead of drawing them that is, like the Zhood comic I do.

I have built a character like this once before, on a little larger scale but this one will be about half the size of what I did before. anyway, I put some pics to show and the rest are in my myspace pics.
it is obviously not done yet but well on it's way.
after this I get to start building miniture sets. that'll be the fun part.

You are after my heart!!!!!!!!!  I ADORE making miniature sets ever since I got into making them for the theater that I volunteer at.  We have to make tiny theater set designs to see what we will build for the large life size sets.  I can't wait to see what you do!!!!  I'll be sure to keep my eye on this thread.  I am excited to see the progress on your great idea of a moveable action figure puppet.  It is like a spin on the rod puppet....brilliant!  I'm bummed that I can't see more pictures in your myspace b/c I don't have an account and really am not smart enough to navigate myspace...hehe.

We should definitely post more about set designing in the stages, lighting, and sound section of Puppets and Stuff.  It would be interesting to see if there are more people with the passion of miniature set designing.  I am working on a lot of toy theaters so I would love to chat more about this with you!!!

Aloha,
Nikole 

Thank you Nikole, you should post some of your minitures, i'd be interested in seeing them.
the minitures I was thinking of doing will actually be smaller then the puppet for I dont have the room for large sets, I'll basically just cut and paste the puppet into the sets, hopfully it will look good, and not cheesy.
but yeah, I'm also saving random junk, to use in the minitures.

Is this the same type puppets used in stop motion animation? I have a DVD by Kathy Zung showing how to make them but have never tried. Just not enough hours in a day.

Billy D.

Basically yeah a wire puppet is what they use in stop motion.  but the way I am doing it is diffrent from what most do, most animaters use rubber latex, theres two methods I know of for makng them, you can brush on the latex or use a mold with armature of coarse.  what I did was carve everything out of foam sheeting, then poked aluminium wire threw it. that way when the wires eventually break I can easily replace them.

I also have new pics ready

Thats a interesting and very economical way of doing it. I look forward to seeing more and the ending results.

Billy D.

Excellent pictures!!!  I'm so excited about this.  The usual stop motion animation process with the latex as mentioned before can be seen in the bonus section of the DVD, Corpse Bride.  It is a lot of fun to watch.  I watch that DVD and Nightmare Before Christmas on a daily basis because my son requests it....also Star Wars...ALL OF THEM EVERY DAY...HA HA HA.

Here is a link to my new shop on Etsy that has my miniatures from my toy theater project.  I got carried away making these little things that I decided to open up a new shop that sells them.  I'll be selling the toy theater versions where the little people move on magnets in my Puppets and Pals Etsy shop soon.  In the meantime, you can view my little detailed items in Whittle World.

Whittle Wold:
http://www.whittleworld.etsy.com

Nikole

I like your whittle world, reminds me of the comic I do and makes me want to do a comic with them.  do you make everything from scratch even the nesting doll blanks?

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=73353257&blogID=369033118

WOW....those are wonderful!!!  The pictures of your comics are sooooooooo cool!!!  No, I don't make the nesting dolls, a friend makes them for me but I am learning.  It is hard to work on the lathe but I will keep trying.  Mine don't come out uniform yet...hahaha.

I have always wanted to make a stop motion film with my little people.  Your comic pics make me want to do it more now. :D  You always do great work!

Nikole

Very nice work!  I like the whittle world.  I think every kid in the workd should have a toy like this.  Too many toys these days do nothing for a child's imagination.  We are in danger of becoming a society of tv and video gamming zombies with no imagination!

Dahnaus, looks like your character is coming along nicely.  I like the syle!  I look forward to seeing your comic.
MArk