From: Stephen Kaplin <skactw-AT-tiac.net>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 2009 11:26:40 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] request from Lisa- Bird Control


There are collapsible fishing rods called "Black Widows" that  
telescope up to 20' long. They are quite strong and incredibly  
lightweight fiberglass, though they have a lot flex. But David is  
quite correct, in a rod that length, the weight of the control  
mechanism overwhelms the puppet.

My suggestion would be to go with the tethered bird-kite idea, which  
Julie Taymor has exploited  in several of her large-scale productions  
("Lion KIng", Juan Dairen", "The Magic Flute" and "The Green Bird").  
The puppet itself is designed like a traditional Chinese  kite, made  
of  a split bamboo  frame covered in silk or tyvek. It should be light  
and aerodynamic enough to really float on air. If it is made properly,  
you don't have to support it's weight at all, merely tug it forward in  
the desired direction of flight. It is attached on a long pole by  
3'-5' of heavy fish line. If you have your 2' kite puppet  attached  
with a 4' string to a 20' Black Widow pole, you can make your little  
birdie do 50' wide loops and figure-8s without taking a step! That  
beats Bird-on-a-Stick in my mind any day.

But if you do need to have direct control over your puppet, I don't   
think spring steel or Carbon fiber that length will be the way to go.  
Both are pretty costly. Steel is heavy and will bow if it is that  
long. Carbon fiber is pretty costly as well. You might be able to find  
some manufactured item that is light enough yet rigid-- for example  
telescoping pool sweepers or window cleaners. Bamboo on the other hand  
has extremely nice strength/weight ratio and also has enough rigidity  
to lift something that high without bowing. It is far cheaper, too--  
and all natural!


Hope this is helpful. Best of luck in getting your birds aloft.

Stephen

On Sep 8, 2009, at 10:24 AM, Susan wrote:

> Lisa Sturz asked is I would forward this on to everyone on  
> Puppetcrit.  Thanks
>
> Susan, I don't have the time right now to figure out how to go on  
> pupcrit but I'm
> wondering if you could help me by posting this....
>
>
> I need to build some 2 foot bird puppets on long rods (even as much  
> as 20
> feet if I can do it)  Does anyone have a suggestion for the best  
> material to
> use.  I would appreciate sources and information on your experiences  
> with
> carbon fiber or sprung steel, etc.  Thanks..  Lisa
> <lisa-AT-redherringpuppets.com>
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
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