Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 10:56:46 -0800
Subject: Re: PUPT: Mechanical Query


Hi Liz,

AM!'s line began in the retail world (twenty years ago).  That's a tough
market!  Having repaired many rigs in the field, from those days, my advice
is:  Thicker cable, double crimped, warranty for parts + labor 90 days;
labor for 1 year, customer pays postage.

I know, the thicker cable restricts the neck movement...by adding cable, you
add problems any way you do it.  How will your customers know to adjust the
rig for cable stretching?  After a few outings with their new puppet, it
might get a bit "wanky".

Also, consider the "Gift & Decorative Accessory" shows.  We had a rep for
years in those shows and sold over $100,000 in puppets.

-Happy New Year,
Jim

PS: It's nice to see Richard Landon giving advice in this group.

-- 
Animal Makers Inc.
Designing and Performing Signature Characters for the
Advertising and Entertainment Industries Since 1979
Creative Director, Jim Boulden
Phone 818-838-3440 / Fax 818-838-3441
Located 15 minutes drive from Hollywood, California
Find out what we've been doing for the competition at:
<http://www.animalmakers.com/index.html>

"Provided they are relevant to your product, characters are above average in
their ability to change brand-preference."
      -David Ogilvy, "Ogilvy On Advertising" pp.108

> From: Liz Evans <liz-AT-etherboy.com>
> Reply-To: puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
> Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2002 14:34:05 -0500
> To: puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
> Subject: Re: PUPT: Mechanical Query
> 
> Hi Jim,
> 
> I am adding to my Bird puppet line.  I want to develop a pretty simple
> mech that can be reproduced fairly easily to estimate the movement that
> birds make with their heads.  I have seen the puppets that Mid Summer is
> producing (baby griffins and dragons).  I like what the puppets can do,
> but would like the movements to be a bit smoother and I have already
> designed a hand/finger control that is easier to use. I am sure that I
> am going to need at least 3 cables
> to achieve the movement I want.
> 
> And I want to be able to slip any one of 3 to 4 different cast soft
> foam heads over the head ball, so it wll probably end up being a
> 5/8th inch diameter with 2/52 gauge cable. It's the actual attachment
> I am concerned about, because I am planning to Whole sale this
> line of products to high end galleries and I don't want problems
> with cable slippage. I have not had the greatest of luck with
> epoxy in this combo, and it may be the brand that I'm using, so if
> anyone has had good luck with a particular brand maybe that is
> actually the info I need.
> 
> Thanks for the assist.
> 
> Liz
> -- 
> 
> K. Elizabeth Evans, President
> Renaissance Artist
> 
> Puppeteers of America
> Mid Atlantic Regional Director
> 
> http://www.RenaissanceArtist.com
> Come see our Puppets, Props, Mascots, and Art Residency programs.
> 
> 
> --- Personal replies to: Liz Evans <liz-AT-etherboy.com>
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> 



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