To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:23:04 -0500
Subject: [Puptcrit] New Rod Puppet


http://www.flickr.com/photos/61428267-AT-N00/3234952893/

This is a Salesman rod puppet that I designed and built for The PuppeTree, 
for their upcoming show Caps for Sale, coming this April.  A few more photos 
of the show, and details here:
http://www.vtpuppetree.org/caps.htm


His head is hollow paper mache with a wooden rod in the middle to hold the 
metal
male plug. His hands are carved out of blue styrofoam covered in the same 
paper mache.
Lenghts of fat dowel are inserted in the hand to make a strong rooting 
system for the rods.
His shoulder block is carved styrofoam and a piece of board at the base, for 
strenght.
His shoulder joint is a flat shoe lace.
His arms are carved dense polyfoam, with a fabric elbow hinge.
This type of puppet is lightweight, and very versatile. It's so lightweight 
that it requires the weight of the costume to become fully functional, as it 
holds the shoulder block stable and level, and stabilizes the arms. If the 
costume does not suffice for arm stability, a simple rag tied around the 
shoulder cord will provide the tension required.


I show him here without clothes, because Ann's expert hands will take care 
of the costume.
For now, all the rods are unglued (hence the subtle head tilt), to allow for 
the customer to choose the lenghts, as they try it with the sets. It's 
better this way, since I built the puppet here in Montreal, and they are in 
Vermont.

If he looks familiar, it's partly because he was loosely based on a younger 
Robin Williams (but the puppet head needed to be bald and more vertical) and 
partly because his head modeling was already featured on the slideshow 
(along with a monkey).

I just now finished the puppet, whose head was started last year but the 
puppet was put on hold, pending decisions about what type of puppet and what 
options he would have.
I'm glad to see him finished, another loop closed, but I'll be sad to see 
him go.
He's my favorite rod puppet creation so far, he's a versatile actor, willing 
to take on any role, and he moves so well.

Despite what some people say, it does not hold true for everyone that you 
get used to seeing your stuff go and it doesn't bother you anymore!


For the rest of the portfolio, see the slideshow here
(prior update: christmas 2008):
www.creaturiste.blogspot.com


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