From: HobgoblinH-AT-aol.com
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 1996 18:40:03 -0400
Subject: Re: Character Development Survey


In a message dated 96-07-29 12:07:14 EDT, you write:

<< What is your favorite well known puppet character?   
 An almost impossible question. The character on whom I rely the most is
Maureen, a somewhat prissy little girl with pretty decided opinions. She is
never shy, and interrupts others often. She is the most real personality I
ever made. I would hesitate to call her likable, however, although everyone
else seems to like her. Often my most recent is my favorite. Be that as it
may, Big Bad Wolf is a favorite to bring along, because he is never shy,
enjoys life in a big way, always knows how to talk to people,  always has a
lot to say, and has a lot of style. Besides, he always looks so funny in a
costume. I also love the crocodile because he is pure id, no conscience, glad
to be onstage, and always enjoying or enthusing.

 Why is it your favorite?
I may already have answered that. I seem to enjoy working with the non-shy
characters because I'm so shy myself.
 
 When you are performing, what helps you get into the character of your
puppet?
Getting a handle on a puppet quickly depends on its having a distinctive
voice pattern (accent, pitch, speed, speech mannerisms). The rapidity with
which I become the puppet is startling at times; it depends on whether I have
to worry about anything else at the time, though. It also helps for that
character to have a formulaic saying to begin with, to expedite the
transition. Big Bad Wolf most always starts off with "Hey,
man, wuz happ'nin'?" and goes improv from there.  
 
 If you could do one thing to make your character(s) stonger, what might it
be?
Never having any peripheral worries, such as making rapid transitions, or
worrying about a property we forgot to set out, or whether my partner
remembers something we agreed to work in. Of course, if we had the additional
manpower, etc., for each character to have his own music theme, that would be
the best, but considering that we are two people, and that we use a total
average of 15 puppets in one show, that's out. 
 
 
 
 Ax >>



  --- Personal replies to: HobgoblinH-AT-aol.com
  --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Admin commands to:   majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu