File puptcrit/puptcrit.0902, message 92


From: Christopher Hudert <heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 17:14:24 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Puppet Spine


Mathieu,

   You didn't mention what type of puppet you are working on. Humanoid, 
but is it marionette, rod, object, hybrid? Much of a puppet's spine 
depends on the kind of puppet, its use, the materials used to construct 
it, and so on. If you look a bit deeper into the construction of 
different kinds of puppets you will sometimes find that either a 
skeleton of some kind or another is included, or the material may take 
the place of a spine. Other times you will find an actual spine, though 
maybe not as articulated as a regular human or animal spine but this is 
because you don't also want to include the musculature that would be 
needed to balance the movement range of the spine. So as not to ru on 
about this too long, I'll just give some examples of things that we've 
done and that can be done.

   A firm but flexible spine (or neck or other joint) that returns to 
its original position can be made using different kinds of spring 
and/or hose. Screen door springs make excellent spines (and tail 
waggers) for many kinds of upright puppets. Could be used on a 
horizontal puppet if the weight is not too much. I've also used rubber 
hose, particularly high pressure hose (for air or for fluids, depending 
on the size and need). On a few occasions I've used a length of garden 
hose. You can also combine spring and hose if needed.

   For puppets that only need a few joints in the spine and/or neck 
wood, or maybe pvc, is an option. Combined with beads you get a decent 
spine. Rope, string, spring, bungie, etc can be run up through or along 
the spine for some "muscle" if needed. You can also use piano wire for 
this. (You mentioned not being able to find it there in Canada. Look in 
the Yellow Pages and find a piano tuner and/or repairman. They should 
know where to get music wire. If you're lucky you might even be able to 
get some cast off sections.)

   Sculpted Foam can work too with a solid back and the area between the 
ribs and such cut out of the front. Because of the gaps it can then 
bend forward, backwards, and to the sides, but retains some degree of 
limitation. How much it will naturally return to its neutral position 
depends on weight, etc. The illustrious (and industrious) Hobey Ford 
gets a lot of action out of his carved foam puppets. If I am not 
mistaken they are, for the most part, carved out of block foam and not 
of the construction mentioned here. But those are animals and the foam 
is seen. For the humanoid puppet you mention, I suspect there would be 
some sort of skin or clothing so you could have those gaps.

   One trouble with "spring back" kinds of construction is the 
force/torque needed to move it out of its neutral position. Not so much 
of a problem if it is a rod or direct contact puppet, but more so for 
marionettes and others with less direct force control.

   And now that I've written the above about the memory wire it occurs 
to me that you actually were referring to the strap steel used on 
pallets. You can try a shipping house (trucking, not UPS kind of 
shipping) or maybe a rail yard. Generally it is not used much anymore 
(cheaper to use plastics) except for on very heavy objects that are on 
pallets. An industrial area or warehouse district might be a good place 
to try too. Some place that ships or receives heavy machinery or parts. 
Depending on the amount of torque applied to the puppet you can attach 
it to the puppet by putting it through slots and bending the end over 
which is then held in place with a couple of screws. It is easier to 
put the screws on either side of it. with the thread area of the screw 
tightly butting up to it, than to try to screw through it. The spring 
steel strap is hard to drill through. One thought here -  depending on 
the puppet and how it is to be used, it might make more sense to build 
it with a "reverse spine" if you use strap steel. Put the "spine" in 
the front instead of where the spine normally would be. A disadvantage 
of the strap steel is that it will not give you very much side to side 
flexibility. If you need that, I'd go with spring, high pressure hose, 
or bungie.

I've tried to keep this relatively short, as the construction varies to 
the individual puppet and its use. If there are questions feel free to 
ask. The more specific the question, the more specific the answer.

Christopher

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