hey guys its lace how are you all doing.

im really going over the top for my next project i want to replicate big bird full size and every thing i no your proboly asking your self why
in the world would u do that the awnser i do not have any idea any tips would be greatfully used thanks

lace-

Well my first question to you is what you have figured out so far.   In other words have you thought of how to create the body yet?  I've got some video of how the bodies are done for the costume characters used in the show I am working on at the moment.  I am not sure I can show it off right now while I am out of town but when I get home in November maybe I can broadcast it for you.  My laptop is a bit sluggish right now which is why I am not sure it can handle the task. Here is a hint though. Daryl has a video that shows how he uses a tube to reinforce the bottom of his puppets.  That tube is something you are going to want to invest in.    1/4 inch foam sandwiched between two layers of a very fabric is something else that is used. Start looking for a fabric that is "full of holes".  I am not sure what it is called really but at one time fabric like this was used in "sexy" tee shirts. Maybe I can get a shot of the fabric itself.

Big bird is controlled by one arm of the puppeteer in the head above his own head and the other one in the arm of the puppet.  The other arm of the puppet is strung and attached to the live arm so it has movement. Daryl did a video on this method.

You better start collecting a lot of feathers. Bird has a "Big" nest to.

Billy D.

thank for all the advice guess what iv figured out is as billy said lots of feather that video sound very helpful if any one nos how to die feathers it would help a lot i also no that the head is kinda just a simply round shape i all ready started a peak prototype ill call it for now witch looks great 1 other thing im trying to figure out is round he his cus to me it looks kinda like alternet body patern from project puppet just 299 times bigger this will be my firtst walk around so its new grounds lol only thing i dont have really is all the feathers

Hey guys, i've been wondering this too.  Where are these videos?

I'll trade ideas.

For his head, i believe (this is a guess) its a half sphare.  If you noticed, the back of his head seems round, where the front seems flat.  Just a guess

Also, i have a non retailed fabric store nearby that sells netting type fabric.  You have to figure, this is a body costume, it HAS to be light.  I'd also like to suggests Net Canopy.  The same stuff u'd use above your bed to decorate.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.genesis-alliance.com/pics/mosquitoNet/B100.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.genesis-alliance.com/mosquito_net.htm&usg=__NgXvaegXAygSytfwSqW0t3lGKcg=&h=717&w=470&sz=61&hl=en&start=4&sig2=oCUTKZ1_5oeBOIIG_w_Ebg&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=qGSLP0EQOexapM:&tbnh=140&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3DNet%2BCanopy%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=fqmDS_L1NIO8tgPp-NyfDw

no one else had any thoughts?

In Puppets and Puppeteering by Hanford on page 69 there is a diagram drawn by Carol Spinney of big bird and how he is operated. Hope this helps-Steve

i could be wrong... but as for my benefit, i just need ideas for the base of his head.  I understand the rest of it.  And i think, could be wrong... i think Neal was lookin for tips on the whole puppet itself... not the performing aspect... i could be wrong tho

The head would be built much like any other hand in mouth puppet.  Big Bird is operated with one hand over your head like normal "muppet" type puppets it is just that you are inside a body puppet.   Think of the shape of the head and build it out of foam.

If you do notice, when Big Bird is standing and talks, one arm is "floating"... tied to the body with string. That hand that is/was in that arm now controls the mouth.
Have you ever seen Bignazo? Lead  puppet is the same principle.
Notice the sholder, youcan see a head outline. This gives a better idea of how the puppeteer is manipulating the head.
check it out


Even H.R. Puffinstuff used that at times.

Hope that helps.