From: IcarusPup-AT-aol.com
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 13:29:26 EDT
Subject: RE: PUPT: Wings


Dear puppetmakers,

I am stumped with wings.  I have two cases to discuss.  I'm not an engineer, 
although I can build it if I can visualize it; working drawings are an added 
plus!  If anyone out there can help,  please respond to IcarusPup-AT-aol.com, 
unless you just want clutter up puptcrit with your great ideas.  Thanks.

1) Our walkaround mascot puppet Icarus is a 6' long moving mouth dragon.  My 
lower right arm enters the base of the neck and fills out the neck shape.  He 
then wraps around my body, with the tail wrapping around my left leg.  I 
perform him in warmup acts in the audience, so any controls must necessarily 
be invisible, or at least unobtrusive.  My left hand is available for 
controls; the right is moving the mouth and eyes within the head.

Problem is, I have yet to figure out a convincing method of articulating the 
wings, so he can open, raise, flap, etc.  Sure to scare hell out of the 
kiddies, right?!

2) The second problem child is a nearly life-size crane puppet.  My major 
concern here is portability, as a flying crane with a five foot wingspan is 
hard to pack, and white feathers get very dirty!  However, some realistic 
movement would be a desirable, if secondary result.  Her wings never have to 
fold up in the "rest" position; however, if that will help her to be packed, 
all the better!  I have thought of simply rebuilding the wings as a second 
unit, and attaching with velcro to the back of the bird.

The Crane is operated by a short rod emerging from her belly, with a second 
rod for the head.  I visualize any controls for the wings attaching to this 
(hollow) rod -- which also serves as a mount for a later scene -- at the 
belly, so a thumb and or fingers would be all that is necessary to affect the 
movement.

Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions.  If you want to keep it to 
concepts, I'll work out the kinks myself -- I am simply stumped for ideas!  
If you don't mind being explicit, please respond via our e-mail address, 
again: IcarusPup-AT-aol.com.  Hope to hear from you soon.

Mark Robertson
Icarus Puppet Company


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