File puptcrit/puptcrit.0412, message 90


From: "Mathieu" <uubald-AT-magma.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 03:16:25 -0500
Cc: 
Subject: [Puptcrit] re-Introducing myself


Hi all puppeteers and puppet-related people.

I was a member of puptcrit on the other server for years, but it seems the move has cancelled my membership.

So here I am again, re-introducing myself.
It serves as an update to what I have been up to as well...

INTRODUCTION
My name is Mathieu René. I speak english and french. I am located in Montreal, Canada.
All my life (although I didn't always know it) I was puppet maker. I will always be a puppet maker.
I am also just as passionate about masks, as puppets and masks are very close relatives (cousins, me thinks).
I custom build other scenic-related objects as well.
You can see my work here:
www.creaturiste.com

I am called Creaturiste on MSN messenger.



TRANSFORMATION
And now...phase two of my evolution...I am becoming a puppeteer!
I am seeking all puppeteering courses I can grab in my area for now. Soon I shall travel the world for more!
I just finished my first intensive puppet making and animating workshop, given by the two great puppeteers of "Is Mascareddas" from Italy.
http://web.tiscali.it/ismascareddas/index_us.html

The kind of puppet that was built and used was hand puppets. We used paper mache for the workshop.
I thank my puppeteer's association for this opportunity!
What a great experience! And what great people I've met!


TECHNICALLY INCLINED
My main medium is paper mache, although I use anything (preferably non-toxic) that will do the job.
For those of you who are still affraid of it, be affraid no more. Paper mache is amazing!
As long as you find the recipe that is right for you AND for the project at hand, it is the best stuff in the world.
Forget about the uneven, wrinkly, weak and rotting piece of unidentified matter a lot of people associate paper mache with.
The good recipes can yield a smooth, tough-as-fiberglass finish!
My favorite recipe so far: Carpenter's glue and medium-thickness cotton paper. Three layers is enough for a rock-hard shell.
I have a feeling that 5 layers could be used as armour pieces for those Live Action Role Playing games, with those padded foam weapons.
For a "pulp" approach, I use cellulose insulation mixed with carpenter's glue (preferably without water, to avoid warping and excessive shrinking)
 
My latest finished paper mache project, aside from the puppet workshop, is Duncan, a demon mask I made for Halloween and self-promotion in the theatre industry. See it here:
www.magma.ca/~uubald/duncan.html
Duncan was worn 7 hours straight, during strenous outdoor puppeteering work for a Halloween event, three days in a row. It rained on it a few times a day. No warping! And he wasn't even fully weatherproofed yet!
Very comfortable, no sweat in the eyes, and no marks on my face.
Finally, I am satisfied with the comfort and finish. Now I feel confident enough to seek more maskmaking contracts in the professional theatre biz.


My current paper mache project is a three-eyed helmet mask (full face and back of head) named Aegor. I will post pictures on my website as soon as the mask is finished, and will announce the update on this list. 
Right now, it is rock hard and banana yellow, thanks to the carpenter's glue.
I have yet to devise the best way to hold it steady on the head without straps.

I love sharing and learning techniques.
I welcome questions, critiques (honest and constructive) and suggestions.

Glad to be back on the list.
Hope to hear from people I've missed in the past few months of silence from the old list.



Mathieu René Créaturiste
Marionnettes, Masques, Etcetera...
Puppets, Masks, Etcetera...
creaturiste-AT-magma.ca
www.creaturiste.com
(514) 274-8027
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