Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 17:55:22 -0700
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Need eye-making advice (resin and mechanics)


To clarify, I'm not impressed with the TECHNOLOGY presented here.   
This thread is about "eye making advice" including mechanics.

IMHO, hire a pro IS the way to go.

One of the reasons I respect Henson's legacy, is that he created a  
business that made (makes) room for all.  Jim had the foresight and  
ability to raise the money and offer the direction needed to do the  
art-form justice.  These traits are hard to find, and important to  
develop.

That's one reason his works stand the test of time.

Performance is important, don't get me wrong.  But the business side  
(which includes technology) could use some focus in this group.

We do offer many videos showing our puppetry in action.  Here's the  
link, if you would like to see some performances from a quarter  
century of work that has employed many people in the process.
http://www.animalmakers.com/videolist.php

Here's an example of hand puppets mixed with radio controlled faces  
(traditional + R/C blinks, brows, and lip lift):
http://www.animalmakers.com/Services/puppeteering.php
(Yes, that's Greg Ballora and Len Levitt performing)
The videos are on the bottom of the page.

Be well and do good work,
Jim



On May 10, 2006, at 8:58 PM, Daniel McGuire wrote:

> 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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>>
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