Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:09:56 -0800
From: Steven Barr <lapuppet-AT-gmail.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: [Puptcrit] Grimm tales and Narration


Grimm and Narration.
I've been wanting to add an interesting point while addressing the topic of
Narration. And at the same time talk about the Grimm's tales. These posts
have been most interesting. Die Bruders Grimm had an incredibly inpiring
story themselves. But here, my point is only to say that their stories were
collections of stories from the countryside-- where a verbal tradition
dictated the story. Grimm's were living in a region of Germany (Kassel)
where the Huguenots, who had been murdered by the Catholics or expelled from
mainly So. France roughly around the same time, and where several hundred
thousand people were invited to settle in central Germany (Politics,
religion, and art combined). This explains why so many Grimm stories are
also told in so. France. The Grimm's were not authors-- they were collectors
and editors, and mainly they were educated linguists. Their stories were
constantly changed by every storyteller and narration was used and
disregarded with every telling of these tales. In a written account,
narrators are used to explain the story, but I doubt that the most
successful Tellers even gave a thought to Narration. They did what was most
effective to convey their story and to entertain (even though they were
telling tragic stories).
     So to answer such a subjective question of How much Narration to use in
a story?-- the correct answer is "As much as you need". If it works... it
will work because of many factors you may or may not be aware of. If it
doesn't, then it may not work because of just one thing (wrong vocal,wrong
timing, too Paternal,etc) . But you have to keep trying to get the mix
between visuals and verbal just right.  This is trial and trial and trial
and trial, and some errors technique. but it also takes many performances to
"shake out" the perfection. Do what you think is right and be honest and
open in your own assessment of the work. That is how you will know the right
amount of Narration.
     There is an author-based film called AMELIE, by J-P Jeanet. He uses
narration throughout but also has his visuals playing much more of a role
than just illustration-- His visuals drive the story. His mix just works.
Jeanet, used to be a stop-motion animator, but he taught me to be "ruthless"
in my assessment of my work-   All these questions of content and 'dose',
are all subjective. The great thing about being a puppeteer and storyteller,
is we get to answer all the questions ourselves and discover what works.
cheers to all,
Steven Ritz-Barr
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