File puptcrit/puptcrit.0802, message 18


From: Rolande Duprey <puppetpro-AT-aol.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2008 10:11:39 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] VSA Puppet Help


Dear Olivia,

I use Sicilian-ish marionettes a lot for a simple way to introduce  
young children to the world of marionettes (the presentation is very  
unique).

For the head/body attachment, I use a variety of methods, depending  
upon whether the children can tie knots or not.

If they CAN tie knots, then build the head around an internal string,  
leaving it hanging out from the neck.
Then, you can tie it to whatever the body is made from.

If they can't, then prepare a rod with a loop at the end, and build  
the head around that rod, so the rod extends past the neck. Then the  
top of the body can hook or loop into the neck.

What to build head/body out of? I like using newspaper and masking  
tape sculptures. They can then be covered with paper strips dipped in  
glue (a kind of papier mache) for additional life. Many people have  
successfully used this technique throughout the years. Margo Rose  
designed marionnettes using folded up newspaper in order to teach kids  
about marionettes.

Otherwise, you can use any of a variety of air-dry clays for the head.  
These are okay, but expensive, and often very heavy.

Rolande
www.purplerock.org

On Feb 2, 2008, at 4:25 PM, Olivia Huff wrote:

> Dear Puptcritters,
> Once again I've taken on the challenge of teaching puppetry through
> Very Special Arts.  This time I have 13
> wheelchair bound, for the most part, 7-8th graders with varying
> degrees of manual abilities.
>
> I'm thinking that a form of Sicilian marionette might be a
> possibility for their BIG presentation to the public.
> Rod stuck in a head of sorts, with dangly appendages made of
> cardboard tubes....
> My questions are:  what suggestions would you have for the body,
>                 What suggestions would you have for the head
>                  What suggestions would you have for attaching rod  
> to the
> head (and does it need to attach to
>                  the body via the head, and how would one do THAT as  
> well?)
>
> Please keep in mind--simplicity!!! I'll be doing most of the work in
> the end, with the aid of my new friends.
>
> On another note, but still for the same class:
> For large shadow puppet shows, such as the one that we saw in
> Minnesota this summer (Great festival, Bob and Drew!)
> (traditional Indonesian and Greek shadows), what kind of lights are
> used to keep the image crisp, when the puppets themselves are so far
> removed from the screen?  Is there a special light that needs to be
> used?
>
> Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
> Olivia Huff
> Tinker's Coin Productions
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