Na has also interested me in shadow puppetry, and I'm developing (in my head, so far) a show from on old northwest Native American story using both shadow puppetry and a very, very simple rod puppetry at the same time.

Good to see I've sparked some interest! From the looks of it, what goes around comes around. Hobey Ford was inspired by Richard Bradshaw, whom I also got my start in shadow puppets from. I think they are probably the best known. If you haven't, take a look at Lottie Reineger (sp?) and her work doing shadow puppet films. There's a few behind-the-scenes ones that are really good for inspiration. Also, my playlist of shadow puppet films on Youtube. Has some Chinese puppets, French, wayang, and others. The Lior video is a must watch - it was shot in one take, using some ridiculously long screens. It's done by an Australian puppeteer.
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7D5681F0E3DC884

Thank you Chris. I have always wondered if it would be easier to incorporate the typical Vent Rod to a soft muppet type puppet.  I am going to look into the idea as well as the ones you have shown me. Is there a website that show how to make the mechanical rod for say mouth movement, and head turning?
Again THANKS!!

For fairly advanced head controls, you can go to Hobey Ford's website.

The link takes you to a gallery that includes a drawing of a head control that swivels the head, nods the head and cocks it to one side or the other.

For simpler movement, like just swiveling the head (turning to right or left) all you need is the control stick to be firmly attached to the head.

Somewhere I know I have seen a controller that is inserted into a muppet-style puppet for operating the mouth with a rod. I'll look around and see if I can find that. (For all I know, I saw it here, first)

I made a duck rod puppet whose head turned left and right, and the bill was operated by a pull string to open the bill.







In the first two pictures, you can see a little bit of the control rod (pvc pipe) that was embedded into the head. There was a ring with the control string for the bill just below the neck so that it could be controlled with one hand. The last picture was after the puppet was complete and the neck was sewn to the body.

You can see the duck in action in the first couple minutes of this video:



Sorry it's so fuzzy, but it's the only video I ever got of this particular story.

Nick Barone has some information on rod puppet construction that may be helpful

Thank you Chris. I have always wondered if it would be easier to incorporate the typical Vent Rod to a soft muppet type puppet.  I am going to look into the idea as well as the ones you have shown me. Is there a website that show how to make the mechanical rod for say mouth movement, and head turning?
Again THANKS!!

You could try a vent mech:
http://www.puppetsandprops.com/TheFredProject.html

or else the Japanese bunraku does a rod for head turning, not so much for mouths but it could be added in with little modification.

Mary, while looking for the mouth control mechanism (which I found) I located this thread here on Puppets and Stuff that covers rod puppet mechanisms from several angles.

On that thread is a picture of a mouth control mechanism designed to fit into a hand-in-mouth puppet, which could be taken back out to operate the puppet by hand also. I was right, I saw it here, first.

Jon's description of it is a little more complete, and the picture a little bigger on his blog site, Bashfulpuppet.blogspot.in. You need to scroll down toward the bottom of the page for the mechanism.

I think that's all I know about rod puppet mechanisms, lol.

Glad to sell it to you, How does $5 + shipping sound?

Deal!  PM me the address and I'll get that in the post ASAP.  I know there is a flat fee for mailing books.  I'll look up the amount. I can't wait to see this book!

Thank you for the confidence boost, I actually worked a little today. LOL :-0

Glad you are working!!

Deal!  PM me the address and I'll get that in the post ASAP.  I know there is a flat fee for mailing books.  I'll look up the amount. I can't wait to see this book!

Message sent

BIG THANK YOU and HUGS to ALL of you here on P&S, for warm words of encouragement, heartfelt help. God Bless you ALL.

Ok guys I AM INSPIRED!!!!