Okay everyone.  I need some help.  I am possibly going to be teaching some lecture/observation type puppet construction classes.  What I need to know is what types of things would you find helpful.  The classes will be approx. 1hr.  These classes will be taught at a festival in Mississippi in February, but they need the class title and description by this Saturday...no pressure. LOL

I'm thinking 1st class title: So You Want To Build Puppets?
Basic mouthplate construction discussing type of materials, sizes, hinges, straps etc.  In the end I will show them how to make a couple of shapes.

We would move on to foam basics...types, how to make a pattern etc.

Eyes: Material used...eyelids, etc

What else would you think would be helpful in this first class.

2nd Class: Should I move on to more advanced info?  Such as making a character (donkey, cat)

I'm assuming most of those taking the class will be beginners to medium skill level.

HELP!!!  What would you find informative.  Thanks.

 

That sounds great, how about maybe a lesson in stitches and various arm attachment methods as well?

I think with an hour you may be trying to cram to much in your first class. Since it is a beginners, maybe make them something like "Intro to Puppet Building One and Two". 

I am trying to remember what the new members always ask here.  I think mouth plate is a really good one along with the stitches that Animal31 mentioned. Also have a lot of show and tell. Even if you don't have time to "make" the mouth plate in real time if folks can see the end result out side of the puppet and see the layers it may help. Same with other parts of the puppet. The few times I've done "classes" on marionette making it was more of a show and tell situation where I tried to have puppets in different stages of completion. I normally tried to give a quick brief overview of things then take questions so that I could clarify what people where not getting.

all of that sounds great... one thing you might cover is how darts form into shapes... some people (like me) had a hard time with that at first. I'm all creative... no math

It's so hard to remember what someone would need to know at the beginning.  I think having the materials needed to show would help.  The type of foam, contact cement, foam core etc Because I didn't understand the difference in some of these things when I started. Like all the types/thicknesses of foam etc.

Mouthplates are good too.  I wish I was coming to your class!

I think if I were at a convention and could only afford to take one class it would be on how to design and make my on puppet pattern using basic shapes. There is a lot of information on how to build a puppet on the internet but not much on how to start from scratch. this would attract beginners to advanced.

You could then branch out from there into building a puppet from the pattern you created.

I agree with Billy.  I would like to have learned that too.

Agreed. Making your own puppet from scratch remains one of the lesser known "secrets" of puppet craft. Love that you're doing this Julie. I'm sure it will be great!

Something on characters might be a good idea - I know design has been briefly mentioned, but I think a lot of people tend to spend more time focusing on the underlying mechanisms, but not so much on the theory behind creating a character. Ie. how to take an idea for a character and turn it into puppet using facial features, clothing, etc as a way to express that character.

Hope that makes sense, I don't think I clarified it well, but I'm sure you know what I mean.

YEAH!!!  You guys are great.  I knew I could count on you.

Sounds good! 

This is everyone's official invite: http://www.mbcb.org/events_details.aspx?ID=2336

The conference is a Friday evening and all day Saturday.  Last year's registration was $45 and included lunch.

Angel...it shouldn't be to far for you.  It's about 8 hrs from us.

There aren't any hands on classes, just lecture type because of the time. 

I'm not sure who the performers are this year, but last year Tim and Amanda Cowels (sp?)...the previous year John Coen (blacklight team)

This conference is more that just puppets, clowning, dance, teaching.  I'll see if I can find out who's coming.

2013 is Puppetry Focused

Julie