I'm making an easter bunny for my two and a half year old daughter. I'm designing it on the go, but it has a small head as she struggles to play with my larger creations, I'm making a foam body too, rather than a "sock" but I'm wondering wether to put the opening for the hand underneath or in the back...? The head is a "round head" pattern with access from underneath, I struggle (a little) to get my hand in so this may dictate the angle I need to play with it too, meaning I'm likely to solve this myself but I'm wondering what criteria other designers use to decide on the hand position. Obviously the application of the puppet would dictate it if it is commissioned for something specific, but if you're just making them for pleasure, which way do you go and why...?

I don't have a degree in puppetology, but trying to think through the problem logically my guess is that it depends on where the puppeteer will be positioned.

If the puppet is going to be used overhead, like in a stage or on film, I'd think that a hole underneath would be best because I'd be underneath the puppet, beneath the line of sight.

If the puppet is going to be on my lap or in front of me, my arm won't bend sufficiently to put the hole underneath, so I'd put it in the back of the head.

Aesthetically, I like the back of the head because it juts the head forward from the shoulders and gives the puppet a full chin. But that's just my preference!

J.

What Canuckamok said is right.  where you put the hand access depends on the shape of the puppet and how you will use the puppet.  You want the puppet to move as naturally as possible and you place the access to help make that happen

I think the hand access should be from
the back for 2-3 yrs kid. They may not
reach up to the head by positioning from
the hole underneath....

Bhanu

Measure the distance from her elbow to her wrist.  If the total height of the puppet from mouth plate to bottom edge is greater than this measurement, than a back head entry point will be easier for her to manipulate.

Thanks guys, the head already has the hole in the bottom but I think I will put a hole in the back of the body too. Your right, a 2 yr old isn't going to hold it over her head for long. The puppet is scaled down (so she could go from underneath) but I don't think she'd have the concept of "showing" it too much. I have an idea for a hybrid, Will show it to you when I get that stage.
Thanks again for sharing your feedback.
Scoob

hey steve id just like to tell you that when i made the puppet thats on my profile pic i made a cross between a hole in the back and bottom, what i did is cut an arch shape on the bottom of its back so that it would hug my arm when i was using it avenue q style, but whenever i wanted to hold it over me like a muppet all i had to do was raise my arm up. it makes it easy for me to make him move in any direction that i want. It also means you can add a few extra inches to the length of the body because your arm isnt directly under it. even to me this sounds confusing without a pic so would you like me to post one?

Just so you know.....we always pics...please take and share.

Daryl H

I am just thinking about this, is it possible, or usable, to put a hole in both places? One under it in case you want to use it from beneath, and one in the back so that you can use it if you need to use it in a lower manner. And maybe close it with velcro or something like that?

Just an idea.

Just so you know.....we always pics...please take and share.

Daryl H

Well here is what i mean by and arch opening in the back. it holds onto my arm at mid-level and it dosent stop me from lifiting the puppet up. It was dumb of me to make that big hole in the clothes though. I should have just made a vertical cut where the opening was so when i put him over me you wouldnt see that if his back faced the camera.