To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:26:26 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Puppet Spine



Depending on how it needs to move, a spring may work well for this. I once worked on a life-sized dog with a garage door spring for a spine, and she made some very graceful organic arcs when she leapt, and snapped back into neutral when we let go.

B. Shur




> From: creaturiste-AT-primus.ca
> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:23:54 -0500
> Subject: [Puptcrit] Puppet Spine
> 
> One thing I rarely see in puppet design is the inclusion of a functionning 
> spine.
> Either we rely on gravity and balance (marionettes), or on the puppeteer's 
> control of the various body parts (tabletop and a few other types), or we 
> just make a stiff torso.
> 
> What's amazing is that we don't really need a spine, a lot of the time!
> 
> 
> A possible upcoming contract (not confirmed) would have me build a 
> realistic-moving humanoid puppet, which might benefit from a spine to make 
> the puppet's back spring back into position. I can certainly do it without, 
> and it would move very well, but why not try a notch higher, just for fun? 
> I've been thinking of using a thick strip of higher density polyfoam 
> combined with elastics, or a link of big wooden beads over an elastic,  or 
> even a lenght of some kind of memory wire, or a plastic bar that springs 
> back to shape.
> 
> I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to find memory-wire type things around 
> here.
> Every time I check leftover pallets in shipping areas, they either have the 
> cheap palstic straps, or the non-memory metal straps.
> I wouldn't evne know how to attach a spine made of it to my puppet.
> Any pointers?
> 
> I'm curious about any type of puppet spine you would know how to build.
> 
> 
> 
> 
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