Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2003 15:48:04 -0500
From: Mathieu <uubald-AT-magma.ca>
Subject: PUPT: evolving the Hand puppet


Greetings fellow puppet people!

I am working on my first hand puppet designed for professional use.
I want it to be as practical as possible, without sacrificing the look.




Seems there is virtually nothing really useful available in the way of
books about hand puppets in my area.  The ones I found that had a few
instructions were not practical:

(add styrofoam ball on top of extremely-tight cross-shaped sleeve,
rendering it even less confortable and fragile. Paint with gouache, so it
will crack and smear with any trace of moisture. Make sure to use a glue
stick to add fabric pieces for decoration, as this will be even more
efficient at making the puppet self-destruct quickly.)

Maybe some of you can point out a few improvements for some of my problems.
I have been experimenting a lot, and found a few good tricks I'm sharing here.
Maybe together we can all come up with the ultimate hand puppet!
Thanks!

Don't worry, I'm also sorting through the archives. I just went through
1996. Yikes.
VERY interesting topics!

My findings:
1) Easy full turning head:
Easy indeed! just two cones or tubes, stuck together, for inside the
head(assuming you use the middle and index finger in the head). Nothing
more to it. Turns beautifully, when you make the mouvement of rubbing your
fingers against each other. I startled a few people on the bus today with
this added bonus....

2)Lightweight, unbreakable head and hands
just cut/carve sponges, with scissors. sponges can be glued to itself,
using pva glue or contact cement. Paint with acrylics. To make waterproof,
sceal with waterbased sealer, in spray or with brush. Needs a few coats for
complete protection. The more you put, the stiffer the surface.


Ideas (still testing)
3) To make the inside cones (inserted in the head and hands)
I wrapped my different sets of fingers with plastalina, squeesed hard,
making sure I got the shape. Then I removed them from the clay, repeating
until it was easy to remove and put back on. I also smoothed the inside,
removing the "seam" that was formed between two fingers. Soon I will pour
some plaster in this, making  shapes onto which I will form my cones. I
believe these shapes will be more form-fitting and the hand is less likely
to get released during performance.

4) Hand-puppet Manikin
Once I develop my "final" sleeve pattern, I'll make two maninikins.
One out of tightly stuffed fabric, for designing the costumes,
 One out of hard plaster or something else, to sculpt the head and hands
attached to it, so I can see my proportions directly.
Both manikins will have holes to attach head and hands.
--------------------


Improvements needed:

- Perspiration in the cones:
Anybody solved this problem?
I am thinking about scealing the cones inside with flecto waterbased
varatthane, or some other non-toxic waterproof finish. This would protect
the cones and the inside of the head. But it will not stop the
perspiration.I was thinking about removeable cones, and making some spares.
What do you think?

-Perspiration in the sleeve:
Some fabrics will retain heat to a certain extent. I learned that the hard
way: my first hand puppet's sleeve was made out of "toy parachute" nylon.
Even for cottons, I am wondering about possibilities for air circulation.
Fabrics are easy to find in my area, so input suggestions to your heart's
desire!


-Right-Handed and left handed puppet
I had to notice that my puppets are for right-hand use, because of the
shape of the cones on the fingers, and also the legnth of the thumb
compared to the that of the ring and pinky fingers.
Is there a "universal" shape/length of cone that will work on both hands?

-Holding on to the puppet
What are you using to hold the puppet on your hand, in it's most animated
physical episodes?
So far, I've only come up with an elastic waistband (where our wrist is)



----------------------------------------------
Mathieu RENE
CREATURISTE
Marionnettes, masques, ateliers créatifs pour tous, etc.
Puppets, Masks,  creative workshops for all, etc.

Toujours à l'affut de nouvelles opportunités!
Always seeking new opportunities!
http://www.magma.ca/~uubald
http://www.magma.ca/~uubald/ilo.html (+recent contrat)
uubald-AT-magma.ca
Montreal, Canada
(514) 725 - 5821
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