Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 14:52:22 -0700
To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org
From: Steve Axtell <steve-AT-axtell.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Erngency advice needed!


Can you dry them out and seal the surface with epoxy?

Ax


At 06:13 PM 7/17/2005, you wrote:
>Hi all.
>Calling all puppetmakers who have dealt with protecting their puppets from
>humid environments.
>
>I have a puppet in critical condition waiting for major reconstructive
>surgery.
>
>
>Story...
>As I mentionned a few weeks earlier, I made a giant puppet for a Theatre
>Company.
>The Director failed to return my calls during the pre-show period, so we
>missed the pre-arranged date to varnish the puppet against the
>elements.  I could not safely varnish the puppet too early, since there
>was some patina and antiquing to do by the costume maker. Plus they needed
>the puppet for yesterday.
>The director pinned all the blame on me, saying I should have made the
>arraqngements with his assistant(who is even harder to reach).
>
>Don't you love getting last minute contracts?
>And I was proud to have beaten my speed reccord at building a puppet
>without any mistakes! Boy was I wrong!
>
>Director was pretty laid back about this, told me not to worry, the puppet
>was working very well, so I did not insist. I should have. I always will
>from now on. And also sceal the puppet inside and out BEFORE painting.
>Unfortunately, I learned about the real usefullness of scealing after the
>puppet was made.
>
>
>Today, I received a disturbing call.
>Today, during perfomance, the puppet's head fell off the jaw.
>There was a 97% humidity factor today.
>
>He's bringing the puppet over tonight (he's an hour late)so that I can fix
>it and prevent further problems. I have three days to fix it, until next
>showing.
>
>***
>He he just knocked.  Oh my god! The Puppet head feels as if somebody has
>poured water into the lower jaw and left it soak for 20 minutes!
>I'll have to rebuild some parts of it, but I fortunately have enough to
>work with, without reshaping. Quick! To the heat gun and fan!
>***
>
>Details
>The puppet head is paper mache, made from 4-5 layers of 60 lbs Kraft paper
>and carpenter's glue. There is also a re-enforcement grid of cloth mache
>(cotton canvas and carpenter's glue). I never had any problems like this
>before, and have been following a similar formula for 3 years. I realise
>it is the size and weight of the new head that exceeded the tolerance
>limits of flexibility. Plus this is my first puppet performing (and
>probably stored) outside. It plays in parks. I knew carpenter's glue
>always becomes soft and eventually returns to liquid when wet(to find out,
>just soak a rock-hard paintbrush full of dried carpenter's glue in water
>for a day or two).  But I never saw it become so critical on a puppet(no
>soaking involved).
>
>
>
>So, Does anyone have tips for the following:
>-Speed-drying a paper mache head that softened from humidity in the
>air.(won't fit in the oven)
>-type of waterproof scealer that will really protect from humidity
>penetration, and not become more flexible with heat.
>
>I have a heat gun with adjustable temperature, and a good fan.
>I'm worried about the puppet, but I'm in a pretty good mood, considering.
>Another opportunity to learn, although I wish it was under less pressure...
>
>
>Thank you for any advice, now or even after my deadline (wednesday during
>the night), I'm always interested in finding solutions for further projects.
>
>
>
>Mathieu René Créaturiste
>Marionnettes, Masques, Etcetera...
>Puppets, Masks, Etcetera...
>creaturiste-AT-magma.ca
>www.creaturiste.com
>(514) 274-8027
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Steve Axtell / Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Website - http://www.axtell.com
New on DVD "AxTelevision"! - http://www.axtelevision.com
International Performer's Directory - http://www.axtell.com/ipd.html
Original contents =A9 2005 all rights reserved.

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