I will happily share! What's the best way to do that? Just show the 2D designs or step it out with photos?

Whichever is easiest for you, and whatever makes the most sense to help describe the process.

I'll take some photos tonight and post them. Be warned though... while the wings may be cool, the attachments are far from ingenious. Think glorified paper clip made from florist wire and you've got the general idea. Super crappy. :'( Would love some ideas on an alternative if you've got some.

I'm still curious even if you don't think much of the mechanism. One of the best things I've learned from other puppeteers who make complicated mechs: don't make it complicated! I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but actually the more overcomplicated the system is, the harder it is to use and the easier it is to break. The rest is just getting the right materials for the job.

Don't have an idea off the top of my head: I'm betting others here will have better suggestions anyway.

I can't wait to see them! I have such a poor imagination when it comes to shadow puppetry. I can see the shadows but not envision the source!

We'll see. It's entirely reliant on my supplier, and I haven't even gotten to the bit where I ask them all the questions I need answered to see if it will even work. If it's possible, it's quite simple from my end. (Ooh, mysterious!) But if it does work, OMFG (the f is a swear word) it will be super awesome.

As for shadow puppets, they're much simpler than they appear to be. Mainly I'm experimenting a lot with the design (number of pieces = number of moving parts) and the materials I'm using. I found a local supplier for a new material which is relatively cheap, but I haven't made anything with it yet.

I'm so stoked to hear things are picking up for you. How awesome are we Aussies?! Fingers crossed the year just gets better and bigger!

Well, picking up in relative terms. I'm doing better than I was last year. But it's still not enough by a long shot. Supplementary income is still necessary.

That would be awesome Na! Thank you. It feels kind of weird signing up for something totally new but I'm just enjoying this so much, it would be weird not to take the opportunity to attend.

I know exactly how you feel. My first real puppet festival (the summit was during my uni course, which was on theatre, so it wasn't really a step out of the comfort zone) was in South Korea. I was the only non-Korean volunteer and couldn't speak any Korean.  My trip to the US in '09 was much easier, but still nerve-wracking as it was my first trip overseas alone. Luckily I knew someone via Twitter and we met for the first time at the festival. (Difficult though as the festival split people into two groups and we weren't in the same one)

... But I digress. Walking in on a 'by and for' festival is kind of intimidating because there's all these people who know what they're talking about and know each other, and it's very tight-knit. But then I got to know some of the people and discovered that a lot of them are very much 'young at heart' and so willing to chat. And there's lots of fun: at the 2008 Perth festival, in the members club, there were kids' birthday party toys left on all the tables, just so you could play with them.

I hope it's as inspiring as I imagine and I can come away with ideas and energy and new techniques and greater knowledge and everything else!

I hope so too. It can be a little hit-and-miss. I remember sitting in on a script writing round-table, where people could just discuss their methods. I struggle with script writing for puppetry, and thought it would be useful, but it ended up being mostly people chatting about funding. On the other hand, the international guest was incredibly inspirational - got a standing ovation - and there were a number of workshops I enjoyed.

My best method for attending these things is to pick stuff I genuinely am interested in learning about, and then to add in a couple that I'm not but would challenge me in new ways. Even if something doesn't turn out good, you are more likely to come away with something than if you just stick to what you already know/like.

I am confident your submission will be accepted. They would be stupid not to encourage a local puppet builder/business/internet source. How are you at presenting?

They might accept the performance as it's experimental. They know the super secret - hedged my bets that I'd have it ready by then - so it could be something they'd be interested in because it's unique. The internet thing I'm not so sure. I think they'd be interested in a live-webchat workshop, but then they'd have to arrange internet access, etc. That could be an issue for their budget, or their location. Then if something goes wrong, you'd need a tech person handy. It's more problematic on an organising level than the performance. Plus, I'm not sure how many potential attendees would want to see me preach about something I've been trying to explain for years.

As for my presentation skills... wild horses can't drag me up onto a stage. Ten years of acting classes though, so I know I can do it. I just don't enjoy it.

Isn't Tolkien the entryway for most fantasy- lovers? The Silmarillion is made even more komplex due to the fact that JRR never intended to publish it. I have to admit I admire his son for his immens work. And this tale about the Children of Hurin is taken from Finnish Mythology, as far as I can gather. Even Quenya is based on Finnish.
You could try it here, but I didn't get too deep into that link: http://watchgameofthrones.tv/
Sadly, the HBO site only lets you watch an episode if you are resident of the US.

I really like the quote thing Na but there must be an easier way of doing it than my way!

Anyway, the next design I make I'll share the process for making feet. I'm good at hands too. I make teeny, tiny poseable fingers on some of my dolls so will map that too. Watch this space! It would be nice to be able to actually contribute something constructive to this site!

I hope the OMFG reality eventuates. Awesome for you and the suspense is crazy. I hate not knowing secrets! Hopefully, whatever it is, it's the thing that gets your submission up. Do you run workshops? I have no real interest in creating shadow puppets long term as I'm a bit of a moth in the sense I'm attracted to things that are bright and tactile, but I would love to maybe do a workshop (perhaps if the summit caters for it?) and learn a little more. I have a deep respect for that form of puppetry but no real understanding or experience.

I am glad you understand my dilemma in attending. I won't allow it to stop me but I'm wrought with insecurities - particularly when it comes to things that give me meaning and mingling with others who may judge me! If it were a doll/toy show, I'd rock it (well, that's not entirely true...a number of people tell me my creations are abhorrent because they're too dark - each to their own *cough* philistines) but this will test me. But even just reading your comments about your experiences furthers my excitement. I guess with any conference, you get the awesome presenters and the duds, but at the end of the day, it's all new to me so no doubt I will love/absorb it all! Yay!

I understand the presenting thing. I performed for 10 years (jazz singer) with no issues but as I've aged, my confidence has died. I do well at public speaking these days though when I'm passionate about my subject and you are certainly passionate about yours. On a personal note, I hope the performance is the winner. It would be so awesome to see you present that!

I took some pics of the wings. Must admit I am reluctant to share as they evidence how purely amateur and try hard I am as a potential puppet builder. I choose to share though in the hope P&S professionals will forgive the crudeness and as a learning opportunity. Basically, I sewed wire into the closing seams of the wings (x2) and hooked it through the gap between the leather and the foam. I know it's crude and it definitely doesn't work too effectively. Be brutal! I can take it!

Sadly, the HBO site only lets you watch an episode if you are resident of the US.

Damn! If I'm determined, I'll find a way! It looks awesome.

Yes, Tolkien has much to answer for Rikka! Were you disappointed by TLOR movies? I thought they were awesome but where was Tom Bombadil? It broke my heart he wasn't included as he was one of my favourite Tolkien characters. Not sure if I'll watch the Hobbit when it's released for fear of destroying my memories of the book. It was the first book I ever read.. 

You will. We had it on TV and recorded it. And the box season one is due in march, I think by Warner Brothers. Next season starts in april- in the US. I am biting my nails!
I did like the first film. Viggo Mortensen was a first choice for Aragorn and Sean Bean is not bad eighter (He makes a great Eddard Stark at Game of Thrones, too!). I thought it was a shame that "normal people" played hobbits, though. They just don't fit in, sizewise. But other for that (I guess they had to cut Bombadil- it would have ended in the barrow scene and that might have been too spooky, even though I love that scene; I also liked the witch king- and the movie was long enough as it was. No other scene could have been dropped.) the film was okay. I nearly lost my mind over that Aragorn-goes-over-the-cliff-scene in the secound movie. What did Jackson do that for? I read that it was done to show that even Aragorn is just a plain human. But I think that's exactly what he is NOT. He is the last of the Kings of Men and that should be honoured. Also that budding love towards Eowyn was beside the point (that other woman gave up eternal living in the lands of the blessed for him, so looking out for a replacement doesn't look too great on one of my favorite characters!), also the strikt Elrond (okay, people who had no idea about the universe would not know about him giving up his daughter for all eternity, but he was so generous in the book and not so in the movie) and Arwen more or less pulling out from the elftreck towards the havens. And Faramir became so simple! That is where my trouble started. I really didn't like the third movie at all. The Frodo starts to become very suspicious about Sam because of Gollum is not my cup of tea. I know they thought about making Sam female so they could avoid the part "I love you Lord Frodo!" looking queer but this wasn't much better. Not all love is sexual, and it would be a sad thing if people thought that a trusted friend in a very dire situation could not say: "I love you" to one without people getting: "I want to get in your pants!" But that's just my opinion. I wish they could have kept it just like in the books. It also makes Gollum more skrewed and more evil. And he is evil enough to begin with and he's gone through quite a lot (I think the inner conflict of Gollum who sees love and fellowship in Frodo and Sam and wants to join but can't resist the lure of the evil ring is one of the really great parts- but all is lost because a male cannot say "I love you" to an unrelated other male without this being queer. We seem to live in a very cold world!). And then numerous great scenes have been cut: Bombadil, the barrow, freeing the shire.... but we get endless fighting scenes. Okay, there are great battles. But this is becoming a bit too much and the cuts are too quick to really grab the athmosphere, if you know what I mean? And Denethor was not mad. He was desperate, but a high and brilliant man, even if "the peoples of the free world" became "Men of Gondor" in his mind. To see him degenerated like that was painful. So I am a bit ambivalent about LotR. I will watch the Hobbit, though. (I watched the trailer and I was really wondering what Galadriel is doing in there?) My husband would never read a fantasy book (he's not much into novelreading anyhow) and I love discussing plotlines with him.

I really like the quote thing Na but there must be an easier way of doing it than my way!

I just find it easier for long replies. It comes from having spent a lot of time on various blogs where the discussions are quite technical and accurate quotations of other people's comments are necessary. I've just gotten into the habit of doing it -  but no need to do the same as me

Anyway, the next design I make I'll share the process for making feet. I'm good at hands too. I make teeny, tiny poseable fingers on some of my dolls so will map that too. Watch this space! It would be nice to be able to actually contribute something constructive to this site!

Oh, both of those would be great. I've done poseable hands, it would be nice to see other methods for it.

I hope the OMFG reality eventuates. Awesome for you and the suspense is crazy. I hate not knowing secrets! Hopefully, whatever it is, it's the thing that gets your submission up.

I hope so too. Unfortunately I'm working on a major problem with my site/s at the moment and until I get that fixed I won't be able to move on to actual puppet making. Holidays make it tough too, since everyone's at home and it makes for a distracting work environment.

Do you run workshops? I have no real interest in creating shadow puppets long term as I'm a bit of a moth in the sense I'm attracted to things that are bright and tactile, but I would love to maybe do a workshop (perhaps if the summit caters for it?) and learn a little more. I have a deep respect for that form of puppetry but no real understanding or experience.

No. I tried to get a few workshops going on muppet-type puppets - that being most popular and therefore easier to make profitable - but they were always ended up cancelled for lack of interest. Technically speaking, I'd have 'no problem' if I were interested in doing touring schools workshops, but it's just way too expensive to do and too time consuming to organise. I'm making more money (and losing less) by simply selling online. And there's a larger audience here too

However, I do have a couple of patterns:
http://www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au/blog.php/2010/11/13/learn-more-about-shadow-puppetry
I hope to have the rest of those tutorials up soon too.
There's also some notes from a workshop with Richard Bradshaw:
http://www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au/blog.php/2008/04/08/live_from_unima_2008_day_seven

If you get a chance to learn shadow puppetry from him do; best person in the world to learn it from. As for myself, I can give you some more detailed instructions if you'd like. Just let me know what questions you have and I'll try to answer them.

PS. Shadow puppets can be bright and tactile. It's just that most people have gotten stuck in the Victorian silhouette style. My upcoming designs are specifically made to avoid that, using bright colours, whites (no black if I can help it) and fun characters. But you can make three dimensional puppets and use them for shadow puppetry; and I have a book that discusses improvised shadow puppets. Also there are things like this:
http://sandfantasy.com/
which are crosses between shadow puppetry and animation.

I am glad you understand my dilemma in attending. I won't allow it to stop me but I'm wrought with insecurities - particularly when it comes to things that give me meaning and mingling with others who may judge me! If it were a doll/toy show, I'd rock it (well, that's not entirely true...a number of people tell me my creations are abhorrent because they're too dark - each to their own *cough* philistines) but this will test me. But even just reading your comments about your experiences furthers my excitement. I guess with any conference, you get the awesome presenters and the duds, but at the end of the day, it's all new to me so no doubt I will love/absorb it all! Yay!

That's how I feel about it. Generally I set myself up with lots of good activities and then just try to make conversation with whoever I meet at the activities. It's happened that a couple of times I'd happen to meet up accidentally with people I've only known online; once I re-bumped into someone from the same plane flight who ended up in the same workshop; other times I've just ended up being on my own and not talking to anyone (it's hard to chat to people sitting in on a keynote speech for instance). Funnily enough, though I'm totally intimidated by the 'older' puppeteers, I've done a reasonable amount of work/made enough noise about things to have a few people recognise me and/or chat with me. It's a *very* small group, but it's been hard as I've not been affiliated with any company, I'm not a performer, and I don't tour shows. The more you do that sort of thing, the easier it is to meet puppeteers. (That and the fact there's very little by way of meet-and-greets, classes, etc, in our country)

I may be passionate, and I'm quite vocal online... but shy in real life. Add to that the fact that I've got a strong case of asthma which is causing me to lose my voice, and well, basically I'm taking a huge punt at actually pulling off a presentation. To be honest, I'm kind of having second thoughts about the internet workshop. The live chat thing would be great, but the 'how to build a website' thing... I just think I'm going to get a lot of people rolling their eyes. The ones I'd want to teach don't want to learn and the ones I don't need to teach already know. It's a discussion I've been trying to have for the past oh, 7-10 years so I really wonder if I'm just wasting my time.

I took some pics of the wings. Must admit I am reluctant to share as they evidence how purely amateur and try hard I am as a potential puppet builder. I choose to share though in the hope P&S professionals will forgive the crudeness and as a learning opportunity. Basically, I sewed wire into the closing seams of the wings (x2) and hooked it through the gap between the leather and the foam. I know it's crude and it definitely doesn't work too effectively. Be brutal! I can take it!

Actually I think that's a pretty good job. If I didn't know what the attachment was, the first pic certainly wouldn't have given away any clues. (Remember, we're the most critical of our own work and will spot flaws that other people miss and/or don't care about) Off the top of my head, a 'better' solution could be press studs? I don't know about the weight though. Anything like that might not hold the wings up properly. Personally, I think the wire is probably the best method; maybe just with some modification to how you do it, and it would satisfy you? Or you could search the forums for discussions on detachable limbs - some of the comments might spark an idea.

Just checked and the summit's website is now live:
http://www.nationalpuppetrysummit.com/

Rikka! Holy hell! I feel I need to both re-read the books and re-watch the movies prior to even attempting to respond intelligibly to that analysis! I had forgotten so many of those aspects. It might be high time to indulge in some heavy reading!

I didn't know about the intention to make Sam female. I'm glad they came to their senses. I (and many others) would be outraged had they manipulated the script in that manner. Absolutely nothing wrong with Sam loving Frodo in a platonic and respect fueled manner - happens everyday! All in  all though, given the epic proportions of Tolkiens writing, I think Jackson did a pretty okay job. My criticism (aside from Tom Bombadil) would be Legolas. The movies totally destroyed the perception I had of him. He was made to look a total pansy and irked me the whole way through. Oh and the fighting scenes, you're totally on the money there.

Right, you've inspired me.. I'm going to take the Fellowship of The Ring to bed with me tonight!

Na, just checked out your shadow puppet links. Awesome! They were a little more involved than I had thought - particularly some of the detail on the 'long dog'. Might give it a go! I have actually seen Ilana Yahav before. How incredibly awesome is she?!

I have asthma but it rarely affects my voice. You must have a seriously bad case. I'm sorry to hear that. Regardless of that fact though, I'm sure you would win over an audience if your submission is accepted. I'm afraid I can't visualise what your presentation would look like as I'm unfamiliar with both the content and the context but I'm sure you'd be fine. Passion for your subject wins over everything else every single time! I understand your feelings towards the internet workshop. As a delegate, I suppose I would rather see something that is going to revolutionise my thoughts on the art form itself as opposed to internet based learning - although admittedly, I probably need to attend a session such as you've proposed.

I did think of press studs for the wings but being a perfectionist, I didn't want the backs of the studs visible when the wings were unattached. I have to get my head really in to puppet mode - not doll mode. Years of creating textile dolls/sculptures means I'm conditioned to ensure they look good from all angles. It's proving hard for me to shake. I think I would be a lot more successful with my puppets could I move past it and they would certainly function differently - but for the moment, I'm adapting skills I use to make dolls to make puppets and until I can shift that mind set, I'm a little stuck!

I checked out the Summit page. I was a little sad that there wasn't more info available but will be patient! I must admit I was fascinated by some of the imagery they used to fill the pages awaiting their actual content - such beauty and so different to my meager attempts. Do you have any idea what sort of costs are involved in attending? I jumped in and said yes (and very much intend to go) but remembered what work paid for me to attend my last sector based conference and am not sure how readily I could pull together $1500. The more time to save the better!

Na, just checked out your shadow puppet links. Awesome! They were a little more involved than I had thought - particularly some of the detail on the 'long dog'. Might give it a go! I have actually seen Ilana Yahav before. How incredibly awesome is she?!

Haha, you've obviously not seen the mermaid shadow puppet:
http://www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au/gallery.php/mermaid-shadow-puppet
The dog is a *lot* less complicated. And besides, you don't have to cut out the detail, you can just do the outline.

I do love Ilana's work, I wish I had that talent. She makes it look so darn easy to work with sand!

I have asthma but it rarely affects my voice. You must have a seriously bad case. I'm sorry to hear that.

It's been getting better, but I find that a side effect of taking my medication is that my voice has gotten a bit husky. It does make talking a bit hard, mainly because I'm pretty soft-spoken anyway.

Regardless of that fact though, I'm sure you would win over an audience if your submission is accepted. I'm afraid I can't visualise what your presentation would look like as I'm unfamiliar with both the content and the context but I'm sure you'd be fine.

Which one? As I said, the internet stuff is hard going amongst those I'd need to influence. A lot of the 'older gen' of puppeteers are perfectly satisfied with word-of-mouth, so can't see the usefulness of the internet and frankly don't want to learn. I know of one in particular who will remain nameless who is odd: has a website but refuses to use email. It's been suggested a number of times, and even mentioned that free email is available... but still refuses to use it.

As you point out, it's hard to be really excited about the concept of a workshop on the internet, but I think at the very least showing people how they could set up their own virtual workshops would be interesting. I know one local person who's been talking about doing it for ages - but just doesn't know how to set it up - and several young people about our age who'd find it useful and/or interesting too. So it entirely depends on the audience of the summit. Plus, part of the reason I'm trying to convince more Aussie puppeteers to get online *is* because it's revolutionising not necessarily puppetry, but the way in which potential audiences are finding out about it. Want to learn about puppetry in our country? Who do you ask? My first bet is these days you google it. That's what I did, and I found barely any info. That's why I wrote so many articles on my site, it was all about saying "hey, yeah there's puppeteers here it's just they suck at publicising themselves online". It may not revolutionise the way you build your puppets or perform your shows, but it's definitely changing the way you can reach audiences. Case in point is that I actually ended up getting contacted every few days about Aussie puppetry; I was getting 100 times more visits than the official Australian centre for puppetry (UNIMA Aus.) website; the only publication on Australian puppetry is also produced by them and only received by their members, so you've got to know about them to find more info .... well, it's a case I argued a lot in my 'early days' and still do, and fighting this circular knowledge has been a slog especially when convincing others.

As for the performance, if it ends up working and being made, I think I'd have no problem winning over audiences. The concept is unique and simple enough that if done well, even experimentally, people should like it.

I did think of press studs for the wings but being a perfectionist, I didn't want the backs of the studs visible when the wings were unattached. I have to get my head really in to puppet mode - not doll mode. Years of creating textile dolls/sculptures means I'm conditioned to ensure they look good from all angles. It's proving hard for me to shake. I think I would be a lot more successful with my puppets could I move past it and they would certainly function differently - but for the moment, I'm adapting skills I use to make dolls to make puppets and until I can shift that mind set, I'm a little stuck!

I don't know. I kind of agree with you, because part of the 'magic' of puppetry is hiding all those mechanisms so you're not quite sure how it works. If you want to hide the mechanism of attachment, I think that's ok. My only thought is that with press studs you can insert them between the layers of the fabric so the only thing you see are the bits that you absolutely can't hide. But maybe there's another way... Of course, sometimes I find that after lots of attempts of trying different methods nothing works better than what I'd originally come up with. So I'd just keep trying different things and comparing one to the other and finding one that satisfies you the most.

I checked out the Summit page. I was a little sad that there wasn't more info available but will be patient! I must admit I was fascinated by some of the imagery they used to fill the pages awaiting their actual content - such beauty and so different to my meager attempts. Do you have any idea what sort of costs are involved in attending? I jumped in and said yes (and very much intend to go) but remembered what work paid for me to attend my last sector based conference and am not sure how readily I could pull together $1500. The more time to save the better!

I really couldn't say on costs. I'm guessing at least a couple of hundred. (I don't know the costs of the one I went to because it was paid by the uni. ) The Perth event might give some idea of costs (the couple of hundred mentioned above), although I'd guess that would end up being more expensive as they were also paying for lots of international guests, plus had a longer season. Also, that's dependent on whether or not there's one overall registration fee, or if there's a reg. fee plus prices for additional events (as happened in Perth), if there will be earlybird discounts, or discounts based on being a member of UNIMA Australia. Best not to speculate, and wait til they announce something. I know they told me they'd let me know about my submission towards the end of Jan, so hopefully they'll announce more soon a little after that.