My recent and last build for 2008:

http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,3971.msg35378.html#msg35378

uses translucent patterned paper for a shadow puppet. I'd really love it if anyone could post their ideas on how I could make translucent rods! I was thinking something along the lines of those clear plastic rods used with people puppets (muppets), but that could be easily attached to shadow puppets, especially considering that I'd like them to be reversible.... Any thoughts?

By the way, happy holidays! I'm not really celebrating anything, which is why I'm still working on stuff Anywayz, enjoy!

I really like that kind of job you do. (Those are great to do puppets videos "Shadows and muppets", good combination).

My experience is that nothing is completely invisible.  Your best bet is to construct your shadow puppet so that its control rod is off screen.  If you have to have it on screen I've used clear plastic from transparency sheets.  But this only works with small shadow puppets.

As to the clear rods if you can keep them far enough away from the screen and light source they just might work.  I've got several around maybe I've give it as try and tell you how it works out.

Jon

Hmmm, seems as though I never replied to this...

But yes, Jon you're right. Even clear plastic rods would leave a shadow if not held the right way. After some testing, it's obvious now that a good proper light (a fluorescent tube for instance) and some practice with keeping rods out of the light, makes for 'invisible' rods.

PS. Thanks Miguel!

This is awesome! And those colours.
One idea, may be: if you'd attach a transparent rod to the back to hold the puppet up (I don't know if I get this out the way I mean to, but I think you might be able to get the "holding" of the puppet away from the screen) and than do it cable controlled with fishing line? (if you can get enough weight on the tentacles, that is). This might rather be a shadow marionette, but the lines should be just about invisible.
The jellyfish is so real, you have a lot of them in Australia?

Thanks Rikka! Fishing line is a thought, to be honest I've moved on to other things and am happy to use 'visible' rods since it doesn't make much difference. I've not tried cable-controls on shadow puppets - although I've seen it done - but am busy with other things so I probably won't for some time.

We do get a lot of jellyfish in Australia, particularly around the coastline. We not only keep our eyes peeled for sharks on our beaches, but also for jellys! Actually, I've even seen jellyfish up close in a river that I was kayaking in once. They were about the size of a fist, and if I had put my hand in the water, it's likely I could have touched one. (Not sure if they would have stung me or not, but best not to try and see!)

There are pretty bad ones out there, I've heard. The worst we got her do sting, but they are usually not fatal.

I can't recall accurately, but I think we always got taught to steer clear particularly of the beach/ocean jellyfish due to potential stings. I'm not sure about fatal, but there are plenty of things here in Aus that are (snakes, spiders, sharks, etc) and generally it's a good idea to be wary of anything that stings or bites.

So I heard. I think anybody living in Australia must be very brave- I am mortified by all those creepers. Black Flies in Canada where bad enough for me. Now wolves from Poland have started to cross the border and many people think that they should be exterminated. We are just not used to nature any more...

Well, it depends on where you live really. I live in the suburbs of a fairly large capital city, so there's less chance of most bad insects and things. If you go into the bush (or ocean) you're more likely to have these issues.

Luckily there's lots of public education available and warnings on TV; plus I've done a couple of first aid courses, so at least I have a vague knowledge of what to do in case of poisons, etc.

Fortunate too that pest exterminators can be called quickly