I have been researching the so called "German style controller" which can be seen on the utube (Emily DeCola ) and on website of Prof. Albrecht Roser. I am surprised that so little actual information on the design and construction of that hand controller is available on the world wide web. Even the latest book of David Curell did not cover the subject. I am a woodworker besides being a puppeteer, and I would love to make one and share the step by step construction details with others here. Am I missing something or is there a source of information that I should seek out? I would appreciate any comments or inputs from those who might have tried to build that controller.

You are right there is not very much on the web in regards to the fish or vertical controller.  Some books have reference to it but even they do not go into detail as a rule.  Robert LeRoy Smith did a series of papers on the design that are very detailed.  Check the PofA web store or the PAI web site to see if you can get them. More then likely you'll need to call or contact them via email.  Not sure if they are listed on the site or not.

Thanks Shawn.
I have seen Emily Decola's utube videos several times, but it is difficult to make out the details. The things I noticed were:
1. There were two large hoops connected with some sort of hinged handle to control hand movements. She mumbles something about the three point principal. But is that a part of fish controller.
2. A flexible wire at the back.
3. A pistol type control moving a levered rod to raise or lower the back.
4. The angle of the grip which brings the top further out, perhaps for head control.
Of course, this is all based on a rather fuzzy video.
Cheers
Pradeep

The three point principal is detailed in other videos when she is describeing a simple scarf marionette.  The idea is that you have three strings attached to a ball that gives you full range of movement.  Think ears and then nose.  

It is hard to see details on the videos.  I wish I could give you more details myself but I have never been a fan of the fish or vertical control. I use a horizontal control since I preform caberate style.  You could most likely benefit from the verticle control since it allows you to control and move two marionettes at one time which a horizontal (airplane ) control does not.

Do see if you can find copies of the LeRoy Smith papers.  They are very detailed even down to body construction. He was an excellent engineer.

The three point principal is detailed in other videos when she is describeing a simple scarf marionette.  The idea is that you have three strings attached to a ball that gives you full range of movement.  Think ears and then nose.  

It is hard to see details on the videos.  I wish I could give you more details myself but I have never been a fan of the fish or vertical control. I use a horizontal control since I preform caberate style.  You could most likely benefit from the verticle control since it allows you to control and move two marionettes at one time which a horizontal (airplane ) control does not.

Do see if you can find copies of the LeRoy Smith papers.  They are very detailed even down to body construction. He was an excellent engineer.

Is this what you are looking for Shawn?



http://store.puppeteers.org/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=59&zenid=ngm3tusnmgdu4r0vc72fopkrc2

Billy D.

" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>
https://youtu.be/NSbXUYI-0cE

You may want to consider this
http://store.puppeteers.org/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=317

Shawn and Billy, thanks for the leads. I have ordered the "controls" book you recommended above from Puppeteers. Hopefully, it would give me a better idea. I would also try to contact Leroy Smith.

I spoke too soon. I just found that Leroy is no longer with us. Are his papers available from any source, or does the book Billy referred to above, cover pretty much everything?
Cheers.

I think at one time there where other papers but the book may be a compilation of them all.  I just remember flipping through some of them when I co-hosted a workshop with him when he was still alive.

Hi Shawn;
In Emily Decola's videos, the marionnet hands are controlled by two large wire hoops, rather than a fixed or a removable rod on the controller. What does that accomplish? Has anyone else tried that approach?
Pradeep