Re: Fellow puppet enthusiast Posted by Animal31 on Feb 06, 2012
Posted by: Shawn Sorrell on Feb 06, 2012
The one thing I do have to censor or remove is nudity. My hosting company has a strict policy about that. I can't even allow links to such things. I really doubt that is going to be an issue here though.
All puppets must be clothed, got it......
Re: Fellow puppet enthusiast Posted by Lizzies Lair on Feb 07, 2012
Well there goes all my fun Shawn
Funnily enough, one of the designs I drew up on the weekend (stemming from the scripting debate) was a puppet Venus De Milo. Guess I won't be sharing her!
As always, thanks so much for your feedback and advice. Jeezbo, the dragon's mouth was probably the freest moving I have made. I learned a great deal from being a bit more relaxed to my approach and I think it's paying off. But you're right, he is a little tricky to use namely because his mouth was so snug inside I didn't think I would need finger tubes which in hindsight, I really do. Oh, and the build up of scales as you mentioned is a little restrictive. When I get carried away I cut corners which I really can't afford to do!
Shawn, thanks for your advice about his body movements. I can easily remove some from his belly but taking stuffing from his limbs will be much harder and probably not achievable without painstakingly removing and reattaching all those bloody scales! Years of creating dolls taught me to stuff them hard and it's a habit that's proving hard to break! After reading the Foam book I am going to try the moulded foam limbs on my next puppet to try and get some more/better movements.
I was terrified about sharing this but am so glad I did. It is awesome to receive such positive feedback from such gifted puppet builders. You guys are awesome and have totally made my day! Thanks!
Funnily enough, one of the designs I drew up on the weekend (stemming from the scripting debate) was a puppet Venus De Milo. Guess I won't be sharing her!
As always, thanks so much for your feedback and advice. Jeezbo, the dragon's mouth was probably the freest moving I have made. I learned a great deal from being a bit more relaxed to my approach and I think it's paying off. But you're right, he is a little tricky to use namely because his mouth was so snug inside I didn't think I would need finger tubes which in hindsight, I really do. Oh, and the build up of scales as you mentioned is a little restrictive. When I get carried away I cut corners which I really can't afford to do!
Shawn, thanks for your advice about his body movements. I can easily remove some from his belly but taking stuffing from his limbs will be much harder and probably not achievable without painstakingly removing and reattaching all those bloody scales! Years of creating dolls taught me to stuff them hard and it's a habit that's proving hard to break! After reading the Foam book I am going to try the moulded foam limbs on my next puppet to try and get some more/better movements.
I was terrified about sharing this but am so glad I did. It is awesome to receive such positive feedback from such gifted puppet builders. You guys are awesome and have totally made my day! Thanks!
Re: Fellow puppet enthusiast Posted by Shawn on Feb 07, 2012
Well I think we may be able to get away with a puppet version of Venus De Milo. 
Then again who knows. I remember at one time there was a client of the hosting company upset because he dealt in artwork and they felt that nudes fell under that clause also. I really think they are more concerned with out right pornography though. I personally would love to see your Venus De Milo. All they can do is ask use to remove it right!
Then again who knows. I remember at one time there was a client of the hosting company upset because he dealt in artwork and they felt that nudes fell under that clause also. I really think they are more concerned with out right pornography though. I personally would love to see your Venus De Milo. All they can do is ask use to remove it right! Re: Fellow puppet enthusiast Posted by Na on Feb 09, 2012
Good on you for posting it! I know it's nerve wracking - one of the reasons why I'm not a performer
A good idea to perform in front of friends and/or family. I think that's the easiest way to test out material and get some feedback. Timing and lip synch should come with practice, although talent helps too. I can't do it, which is one of the other reasons why I'm no performer.
So you've got 2 up on me
The photos have the best puppet quality you can have in my opinion: you look like you're having fun! I don't know what it is, but the more puppeteers look like they're having fun, the more their own enjoyment becomes infectious for the audience. All of the pics are great!
I think the video is pretty great for a beginner, maybe you need a song with slower lyrics until you get used to the lip synching. I agree with Shawn that adding in some squishiness would help (take a look at Bookaboo on ABC when you can - great examples of space adding to the movement of the puppet).
This is just my perspective as a non-performer but I think a lot of a puppet looking 'relaxed' is how the puppeteer is themselves; the stiffer or more uncomfortable the puppeteer is in using the puppet, the more the puppet looks like it's a bit of 'doll wiggling' (aka lifeless movement). Practice will help get rid of that.
Am glad to hear that The Foam Book is helping too!
A good idea to perform in front of friends and/or family. I think that's the easiest way to test out material and get some feedback. Timing and lip synch should come with practice, although talent helps too. I can't do it, which is one of the other reasons why I'm no performer.
So you've got 2 up on me
The photos have the best puppet quality you can have in my opinion: you look like you're having fun! I don't know what it is, but the more puppeteers look like they're having fun, the more their own enjoyment becomes infectious for the audience. All of the pics are great!
I think the video is pretty great for a beginner, maybe you need a song with slower lyrics until you get used to the lip synching. I agree with Shawn that adding in some squishiness would help (take a look at Bookaboo on ABC when you can - great examples of space adding to the movement of the puppet).
This is just my perspective as a non-performer but I think a lot of a puppet looking 'relaxed' is how the puppeteer is themselves; the stiffer or more uncomfortable the puppeteer is in using the puppet, the more the puppet looks like it's a bit of 'doll wiggling' (aka lifeless movement). Practice will help get rid of that.
Am glad to hear that The Foam Book is helping too!
Re: Fellow puppet enthusiast Posted by SCUBASTEVE on Apr 09, 2012
Sorry To Hi jack your thread Lizzie but this is the thread that got me back on here so much and sharing info with another Australian sucked me in.
I've been lamenting the lack of time to build, photograph and upload but it's all been done hit and run lately, 5 minutes here and there (including this post, (going to be late for work!)
I've managed to upload some pictures over night and as I kept promising "soon,soon,soon" I thought I'd better tell you.
I'm not sure why thet're all on the side, they weren't like that on my computer but as it's hit and run it will have to stay that way till I can fix it (probably forever!)
I've been lamenting the lack of time to build, photograph and upload but it's all been done hit and run lately, 5 minutes here and there (including this post, (going to be late for work!)
I've managed to upload some pictures over night and as I kept promising "soon,soon,soon" I thought I'd better tell you.
I'm not sure why thet're all on the side, they weren't like that on my computer but as it's hit and run it will have to stay that way till I can fix it (probably forever!)
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