Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:34:30 -0800
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] New Rod Puppet


Nice. He looks like Frank Burns....from M.A.S.H.

http://www.huginn.com/knuth/blog/pics/frank-burns.jpg


At 1/28/2009 07:23 PM, you wrote:
>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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Steve Axtell
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Website - http://www.axtell.com
Hands-Free Animatronic Puppets http://www.axtell.com/remote.html
International Performer's Directory - http://www.axtell.com/ipd.html
Original contents =A9 copyright all rights reserved.  
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