File puptcrit/puptcrit.1003, message 35


From: "David J. Syrotiak" <syrotiak-AT-comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 12:18:55 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] sharing info or trade secrets?


I think that it's perfectly fine to share information about how to build a puppet in your respective style. Personally, when I teach someone how to build a marionette I insist that they copy our style, pattern and joining techniques so that they end up with a fully functional marionette that works well. By building their first one to our guidelines they learn the "whys" and "hows" of marionette construction by rote. After they have built one in our style the student is then free to alter/change anything they like and build their marionettes they way they envision them. BTW, I use the word "Style" freely here, because most of the techniques we use are an amalgamation of techniques taught/learned by professional puppeteers that came before us. Dad learned the craft from a number of different puppeteers and passed that information on to Peter and I. There is a huge amount of Rufus and Margo Rose, Bil Baird, Sue Hastings, Martin and Olga Stevens and Ruth Waxman in our approach to building. They in turn learned from people like Tony Sarg, William Duncan and Edward Mabley. The sharing of information is important to teach the rudiments of the craft. Where would we be today if we didn't have the combined wisdom of those who came before us? I agree with Hobey on the last point though. After learning the rudiments of the craft it is up to the individual artist to take it where they want to go.

Great thread!


Sincerely,

David J. Syrotiak
syrotiak-AT-comcast.net



On Mar 2, 2010, at 9:33 AM, Hobey Ford wrote:

> One thought that I have about it is that I think that we only come
> into our own when we break away at least a step or more from our
> influences. I have talked about how badly I wanted to just copy my
> mentor when I got started, he was so brilliant.  It was such a relief
> when I found my own way.  I believe we get caught up in the techniques
> when we get started and want to emulate our favorites in their style,
> but over time it becomes apparent that it isn't the puppets but what
> we do with them and how we tell a story in our own unique way.  I
> think it better to show someone how to think about creating a puppet
> than to give them detailed plans to make one like mine. It goes back
> to the old proverb =93Give someone a fish and you feed him for a day;
> Teach someone to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.=94
> 
> On Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 9:00 AM, Ed Atkeson <edatkeson-AT-gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I also agree about Hobey's contribution here.
>> 
>> I have your little rat rod puppet diagram pinned up over a workbench,
>> Hobey. It is so elegant and is such a different approach that it opens
>> up a lot of possibilities, it's good for my head to look at it. And
>> you just gave it away. Thanks again.
>> 
>> Myself, I got a twinge of protectionism a while back. On my website I
>> have my Princess and the Pea script, and the Frog Prince script and
>> song, and how to make the puppets, but when I put the script and stage
>> directions from The Man at the Controls on my site, I thought to
>> myself, why am I giving this away? So I took it down. I guess not so
>> much because someone would take the idea as much as not wanting to
>> give the show away for someone who will see it.
>> 
>> I don't have any puppet techniques I wouldn't share, but I guess I am
>> close with some of my script ideas.
>> best,
>> Ed
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 8:31 AM,  <BNathanson-AT-aol.com> wrote:
>>> Kath,
>>>     I'm glad you mentioned the show was Sweeny Todd.   I was racking my
>>> brain trying to figure out where in The Sound of Music blood shooting razors
>>> were used.   Hobey and Alan should be dubbed The Kings of Crit.   They are
>>> both treasures.
>>>     Bob N.
>>> _______________________________________________
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