Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 22:58:30 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Need eye-making advice (resin and mechanics)


Jim,

People on this list are from all different levels, with all different 
approaches to the art of puppetry. Your approach, or the Henson 
approach, is perfectly valid to some, and utterly irrelevant to others 
- people like Paul Zaloom, for example. But it's all puppetry. In my 
experience, I've found  that building my own puppets gives me a much 
deeper connection to them, and helps me come up with new material. The 
great Bruce Schwartz - Jim Henson's favorite puppeteer, BTW - felt the 
same way.

I assume you've got it in you to write the definitive post on this 
subject, giving an overview of the technology - from the 1800's tech to 
the high-end servo controlled stuff that is used in Hollywood. That's, 
hopefully, what this list is all about. Instead you tell us that you're 
"not impressed" with the views expressed here.

Okay, so impress us. Telling someone to 'hire a pro' doesn't cut it, 
and isn't in the spirit of a public forum. I'm quite curious why you 
think the old approach is so passe, when it seems to work pretty well 
for folks like Jeff Dunham. (I just got the  DVD after reading about 
him on this list - Holy Cow - what a genius!) Dunham's dummies are 
technically far cruder than most traditional vent figures, but he makes 
them incredibly expressive. And I believe he builds them himself. And 
if that doesn't impress you, perhaps the  fact that he's hugely 
successful, despite not following yours or the "the Henson approach". 
I'd be curious, and grateful, and not to mention impressed, if you 
could talk broadly about the range of approaches that take into account 
different skill/budget levels.

Cheers, DMCG



On May 10, 2006, at 1:07 PM, jim boulden wrote:

> Hi Mathieu,
>
> That means, I'm not impressed with the technological work being
> presented here.  It's mostly rehashed technology from the 1800's.
> Crude tools and results.
>
> Advancing may mean working with a machinist who has the tools and the
> knowledge to animate things.  Performers should concentrate on
> performing (scripts, music, bookings, etc).  Technologists should
> concentrate on bettering the mechanics (lighter, smaller, better,
> cheaper).
>
> It's not just my approach.  This is the Henson method.  Their
> performers rarely take part in constructing or maintaining the
> puppets.  Performers have a voice in the construction, just don't
> actually run the lathes, etc.
>
> It's team work.  Upfront, It may be more expensive, but your
> audiences will notice the difference.
>
> -Jim
>
> http://www.animalmakers.com
> http://www.bouldproductions.com
> http://www.animal-channel.com
>
>
>
> On May 9, 2006, at 11:41 PM, Mathieu René wrote:
>
>>>> Yikes,
>>>
>>> All I can say to the responses I continually see in the "how to make
>>> eyes" category.
>>>
>>> hmmmm....
>>>
>>> -Jim
>>
>>
>> What do you mean?
>>
>>
>>
>> Mathieu René Créaturiste
>> Marionnettes, Masques, Etcetera...
>> Puppets, Masks, Etcetera...
>> www.creaturiste.com
>> creaturiste-AT-magma.ca
>> (514) 274-8027
>>
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