From: Spcglider-AT-aol.com
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2000 15:41:58 EST
Subject: Re: PUPT: Construction of foam heads


In a message dated 1/10/00 2:01:41 PM Central Standard Time, 
OmleMedia-AT-aol.com writes:

<< 
 We built many of our characters by starting with a hollowed out foam nerf 
 ball and shape facial "muscles" from foam and glue them to the ball. Then 
 when we have the face the way we want it, the face is carefully covered with 
 a "skin" of 1/4 inch foam so there are no seams in the puppets face. We then 
 paint the face with acrylics.
 
 The trickiest part of the whole process is covering the face with 1/4 foam. 
 We have to be very careful about seams because we primarily work in video / 
 TV puppetry, but for stage work you may not want to be as picky depending on 
 how far the audience is from you.
 
 Anyone else using similar techniques?
 
  >>

Actually, I've found that sculpting a pattern from sculpey2 is a good way to 
start.  It doesn't have to be full scale because when it's baked, you lay 
pieces of duct tape over it in a criss-cross pattern.  Then you mark where 
the seams go and cut the pattern off the original.  Blow them up on a 
photocopier to the proper scale and use them to cut your sheet foam with.  
Then assemble the pieces and cover it with fleece or more foam or whatever.

-gordon

The Puppet Forge



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