Hi, everyone. I'm retired from my first career and working part time now and am finally going to spend time pursuing my passion for puppetry. Don't know exactly which direction this will follow, making them, opening a puppet theater in the city, or doing weekend shows here and there. Maybe a bit of a couple of these paths... I've just always had a love for puppetry and an admiration for the talented people behind the puppets.

A little about me, I'm 50, and I am married to a wonderful gal for 30 years this July. I'm retired from a career in law enforcement and now am looking to do something less stressful.

Looking forward to getting to know y'all and picking up lots of useful tips and information along the way.

Jack

Welcome Jack to Puppets and Stuff. It is always exciting when someone is embarking on a new career!  I think you've selected an excellent one, but then I am a bit bias.

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff Jack! You could say we're kindred spirits of a sort. Of course I think many here could say that! I too am 50 and will celebrate my 30th anniversary (in June) this year. I'm not really retired though. I've had a career in retail management but I've been unemployed for almost 2 years now so it's a little like retirement.

I've been studying and developing my building and performing talents for about seven or eight years now. I had intended to open a small puppet theater but when the economy took its turn for the worse I had to put those plans on hold. So I've mostly been working on my puppet building skills and am now trying to launch a business selling my wares online.

You've come to the right place though. As I said Puppets and Stuff is FILLED with people who have similar stories and are such wonderful help and support through each member's personal journey into this wonderful art form. Let your adventure begin!

Hi Jack... what should I say, Marc was faster... Welcome aboard.

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff!

Thanks for the welcomes. I know this site is going to be a very rewarding experience for me, the site is very informative and the people seem really great.

BTW, I started writing my first puppet script today and have just finished Act 1... I'm trying to decide if I am going to go for a late summer performance in the park or keep working with the idea of an early summer performance next year. More than likely it will be decided by the amount of readiness come June. I am a bit of a perfectionist so I'd rather wait if everything is not great than to put on a half-ready uninspired show.

Anyway, once again thanks for the welcomes... I know I'm going to have a lot of questions as I progress, and I'm looking forward to learning from all of you.

Jack

Welcome! I'm sure you'll find lots of helpful info here!

A little tip: if you've not self produced a show before, I'd recommend spending a lot more than a few months on it. Many professional shows start working a few months ahead of opening night, but in my experience, puppetry shows are a little (lot) harder to organise. After all, you've got to build everything as well as rehearse with it! That's just my personal experience though, I know I'm currently freaking out about being ready for a July performance - which I haven't really started working on yet - which isn't even supposed to be polished for presentation.

Take your time with it, and do it when you're ready...

Welcome! I'm sure you'll find lots of helpful info here!

A little tip: if you've not self produced a show before, I'd recommend spending a lot more than a few months on it. Many professional shows start working a few months ahead of opening night, but in my experience, puppetry shows are a little (lot) harder to organise. After all, you've got to build everything as well as rehearse with it! That's just my personal experience though, I know I'm currently freaking out about being ready for a July performance - which I haven't really started working on yet - which isn't even supposed to be polished for presentation.

Take your time with it, and do it when you're ready...

Good advice, thanks. I've been thinking about it since I wrote that, I'm going to need the extra time to do it right. The plays I've done have required more time than I was giving this...

So I'm going to slow down and enjoy the process. Plus, I'm going to try to invest in some decent sound equipment and lighting...

Welcome Jack. Glad you've joined us. We look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Julie

Yeah, I think I've been working (on and off) on my skit that I intend to film and put up on YouTube for about 2 years now. NEARLY all the puppets have been built, I've written and storyboarded the first script and have at least begun the set design process, but I've taken an extended break recently to try and sell some puppets.

On another note I know a gentlemen in West Virginia who opened his own puppet theater over a year ago who might be able to offer you LOTS of useful tips and advice. As a former DJ he is also quite knowledgeable in the lights and sound department. I don't think Crazy Chris is on here but if you want to PM me your email I could pass it on to him and you could pick his brain for tips.