File puptcrit/puptcrit.0606, message 10


From: =?Windows-1252?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-magma.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2006 13:07:57 -0400
Subject: [Puptcrit] Magnetic Stage for a  puppet show?



Reading the recent talk about Toppo Gigio, I am wondering if this has ever been done:

using VERY strong magnets embedded in the puppet's feet, and make the stage (or table) floor a metal sheet or plate. IT could even be covered in a tight fabric, to avoid the metallic look (although the reflections from brass or copper would give a neat-o effect for some visual looks.

 The puppet would be manipulated as usual, by two or three puppeteers, but for certain stationary sequences, the leg puppeteer could take a break and manipulate another puppet, thus enhancing the possibilities of interaction when budget does not alllow for as many puppeteers as one would wish.

I know embedding magnets can be dnoe efficiently, as I have tried it for special optinons in my puppets (holding hats on smooth-but-hard puppet heads without visible attachments, making a detachable head...
and have seen a large, spider-like puppet being manipulated on a SchoolBus's ceiling (metallic). Powerful!


Small ceramic magnets one finds in craft stores are usually not strong enough for the purpose I'm talking about (holding a puppet legs steady on stage) here. One would need to use the exponentially stronger "rare-earth" magnets, also known as Neodimium magnets.
A source for these: Lee Valley, and also computer component suppliers.

To soften the "suction" effect one sees when the magnetic field grabs hold of the object, one could experiment with adding more or less material over the magnet, be it fabric or paper or cardboard.
Of course, the puppeteer will have to compensate so that it still does not look like there is a strong magnet at work.

Any input, commentaries, reviews of shows you have seen using this, any advice?




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