From: "Richard Johnson" <djdick-AT-georgiasouthern.edu>
To: <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Subject: RE: [Puptcrit] Puppeteer slang
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 01:43:46 -0400


Most of these work for me except meat puppet.  I have always heard and used
the term meat actor for a non-puppet performer.

Richard B. Johnson, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Actor, Director,
Puppeteer, Playwright, Teacher,Writer, Thingmaker, Mormon, Person, Fool.  I
sometimes think that the last persona is the most important- and most
valuable.
Http://www.PuppenRich.com
Http://three-score-and-ten-ormore.blogspot.com


-----Original Message-----
From: puptcrit-driftline.org-bounces-AT-lists.driftline.org
[mailto:puptcrit-driftline.org-bounces-AT-lists.driftline.org] On Behalf Of
Mary Robinette Kowal
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 8:16 PM
To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: [Puptcrit] Puppeteer slang


Hi,
 I'm writing a book called _Talk the Talk: Authentic Slang from 75 American
Subcultures_, due out from Writer's Digest books in Fall 2006. Mary
Robinette has gotten me started with some great puppetry terms (like
"shaking the dolly" and "focus"), and if anyone can suggest any other terms
or resources that might help me learn terms, I'd be grateful.

Thanks!
Luc Reid
luc-AT-subculturetalk.com

---

So, here are the terms I've given Luc thus far. Some of them might be
regional or disputed. Chime in and I'll compile a list or email Luc
directly. Thanks for helping!

Mary Robinette Kowal

meat puppet - deragatory term for human actors

shaking the dolly or wiggling the dolly - bad puppetry, sometimes also used
for gigs one doesn't want to have to do. ie "Gotta go shake the dolly."

flapping - bad lipsync

head bobbing - shaking the whole puppet's head with each word

Henson stitch - a baseball stitch used for sewing an invisible seam (Not
copyrighted, but I can get permission from a family member if it makes you
nervous.)

Then there are things which are specialized terms, but not slang per se.
focus - where the puppet's eyes seem to look. "That puppet has high focus."
muscle - creating the illusion that a puppet moves under it's own power
magic triangle - an imaginary triangle created by the eyes and nose of the
puppet which defines the puppet's focus live hands - a puppet which uses
human hands, gloved or not, instead of fake hands playboard - a puppet stage

---
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