From: "David J. Syrotiak" <syrotiak-AT-comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 19:35:34 -0400
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Where do Puppets come from?


Hi Rae and all,

Unfortunately, most people think puppets are cheap. I've had many  
requests over the years to build a figure and after explaining how  
long it takes to hand-craft one most people balk at the cost. I then  
ask them to tell me what they think they should pay for a figure. The  
stock answer I give them after their offer is, "Well, divide the  
price you offered me by the total number of hours of construction  
plus materials. Look at the number and and ask yourself if you would  
be willing to work for that hourly rate." I think that most people  
don't think of puppetry as a business. I've found that this is always  
the best way to sound out if someone is really interested in buying a  
marionette. Let the negotiations begin!

Sincerely,

David J. Syrotiak
syrotiak-AT-comcast.net



On May 15, 2009, at 2:45 PM, gururae-AT-comcast.net wrote:

> Why do people who don't make puppets think puppets come from magic?
>
>
> Another puppeteer friend asked me this in an email yesterday.
>
>
> The  occasion  was my ranting to her that a puppet project I'd  
> agreed to had snowballed from 3-5 three-dimensional puppets and  
> 25ish simple shadow puppets (non articulated, no internal cutouts)  
> to 23 - 32 three-dimensional puppets.
>
>
> In vain did I inform the director that I can make a shadow puppet  
> in two hours but the sort of puppets he wants will take me a week  
> apiece.
> He just offered me workers to help build.
> Unless they have previous puppet making experience, i said, they  
> will likely do more harm than good.
>
>
> I do not ask for solutions to my project  dilemma . I'm working  
> that out.
>
>
> What I do wonder: Has anyone here ever managed to successfully to  
> convey to a puppet civilian how long it takes to build a puppet?
> Or is the only way out to force them to build one so they learn  
> first hand?
>
>
> Why do people who don't make puppets think puppets come from magic?
>
>
> Respectfully submitted,
> Rae
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