Hello! I'm working on an short computer animated film for my college thesis, which involves a stringed marionette coming to life and attempting to sneak away from the puppeteer. Before coming to life, however, the marionette has to perform a short mime performance, which HAS to involve the trapped-in-a-box routine, and other typical mime gags. To accomplish the trapped-in-a-box illusion, the marionette would have to lean on an imaginary "wall", using his hands to support himself. How would a puppeteer achieve such an isolated movement whilst maintaining the illusion of weight? How would a puppeteer accomplish other mime movements such as tugging on an imaginary rope etc?

I would be extremely grateful if somebody would share some advice on this matter, as I have little knowledge on puppetry. It would also be great if someone could point me to some kind of video reference. And if there are any kind souls out there who would be willing to film a short mime performance piece (around 20 seconds or so) using a stringed marionette, please please please contact me!

Thanks in advance!

You are wanting to do something very difficult.   It might be possible but the marionette would really need to be built specifically for each task really and even then I am not sure how successful the results would be.  Since the limbs are suspended and manipulated by strings there is just too much slop in the action to get the action you want with a normal stringing I think. I know I don't have any marionettes that could accomplish the act.  To develop such multiple puppets it would take me quite some time. How much where you planning on paying for the performance?  I don't have the time to do it but if there is another puppeteer out there who might have the time, I am sure that well be one of the first questions they are going to ask you.

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff.................. Sorry I can't help I just do for the most , hand in mouth puppets. I'm sure they are some intriguing minds here at P&S that will think of something. Is this your idea or were you assigned this particular project by your instructor.

Thanks for the replies, Shawn and Billy!

Yes, this is my idea for my graduation film at college. Just to clarify though, it's a computer animated film so I won't be actually building a real marionette for this film. I wanted to understand stringed puppet movement better so I can translate that realistically into my animation.

And Shawn, the slop in the action was my main concern too. To achieve such movement would require parts of the body to remain dead still, and that does sound like a big challenge for stringed puppets. As for the performance piece, if somebody is willing to take up the challenge, please email me with details of the project and a quote. The puppet(s) do not have to be painted/dressed in any way, as I am only concerned with studying its movements. As I am a starving art student  :'(, I cannot offer much in remuneration but I can offer credits in my film and my undying gratitude  

If you do a search on you-tube for 01SPORF you will find a Russian marionette master with a substantial number of videos... you might study some of these (as well as others) for hints. Walking is controlled falling (think about it) the marionette manipulator controls a series of suspended levers to animate movement. He/She controls the gravity pull on the marionette. In my hands movement is a bit 'jerky', however, in the hands of an artist such as Huber (another web-search hint) the movements can be quite fluid.  You might try making a simple scarf type puppet (u-tube, 'Emily DeCola') and experiment with the movements yourself.

 Best wishes for success with your project! - rocky

Rocky,
Emily DeCola's marionette scarf is an excellent suggestion!  They are very easy to make yachia and well give you a good idea of the reaction of a body part in relation to the manipulation of the strings. You can find here videos here. http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_5118_marionettes.html  She actually explains movement very well an some of her videos.

I prefer a very free following style but many marionette builder like more control.  For example I string my legs from the knee on the outside of the puppet but many builders well bring the leg string from the front top of the foot through the front of the calf out the back then in the back of the thigh and out the front just above the knee then back in at the pelvis and up through the body.  This gives them a more controlled gait on the puppet when walking. That string is a what is called a run through so when you pull on the string at the control it draws up through where it was strung.  I hope you can visualize this from my narrative.  It pulls the toe up then bends the knee and then lifts it all in line with the body.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, rocky. Your suggestions were certainly very helpful! Shawn, I've just had a look at Emily DeCola's scarf puppet video, and they do seem pretty simple to make. I will construct one as soon time permits and will certainly keep you guys updated on the progress of my film.

Again, thank you guys so much!

While a good knowledge of marionettes will be important for your project, I urge you not to forget the importance of selecting the right shots, camera angles, and framing to get your message across.  For example, if you wanted to show the puppet miming being trapped inside of a box, you can frame the shot so that the edge of the screen is the wall of the invisible box, thereby reinforcing the idea.  If the puppet is going to be "pulling a rope," then choosing a shot that focuses on the marionette's hands will help your audience to look in the right place.  I hope that helps.

I will certainly keep those tips in mind. Thanks Abdolos!

 i am a novice (as i think you may well be, too), but for your first trick of the "box" maneuver, what if you actually made a glass box (or plastic wrap framed box)? the swaying of the arms of a traditional puppet has something to actually hit that the audience is unawares of if filmed right.
 for the ropes pulling - maybe fishing line off screen attached to the hands of yet another traditional puppet so you have the footage your looking for of a puppet "pulling" on something the audience can't see. or, stiff bailing wire instead of string for the puppet to lend it weight whilst pulling. even a dowel rod hooked to the body might convey that "image" your looking for.
 if all else fails you yourself have a computer, and also i thought claymation might be the way to go when i initially heard your plea.
 i do make puppets and i am also broke so.......
e-mail should be attached, but i work better with wood than i do with computers.