File spoon-archives/puptcrit.archive/puptcrit_2004/puptcrit.0407, message 69


From: Angusson-AT-aol.com
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 10:23:52 EDT
Subject: Re: PUPT: What Price Puppets


Boy, am I reluctant to respond to the semi-flurry of replies to Steven's 
request for "ball park" prices to build a variety of types of puppets. Since none 
of them quite seemed to....

I thank Stephen Kaplin for his --->excellent<--- analysis of HOW to figure 
costs in the puppet building/puppeteering area.  
His reply, while laced with a tad of cynicism (we've ALL been stung once or 
twice) really deals with the nitty-gritty of the business and should prove 
helpful to anyone still learning about the business aspects of this art form. I 
will print it out and refer to it from time to time.

As an aside, I can't disagree with Stephen that most producers are clueless 
when it comes to appreciating the value of what we, as puppeteers and artist, 
contribute to their productions.  My enthusiasm about the recent productions 
using puppets was stemming from the playwright's inclusion of puppets as a 
significant part of several productions.

Liz Evans' remarks echoed Stephen's more or less. I agree with both.  If we 
don't get a fair price for our work, then we perpetuate the problem of being 
underpaid. We don't help ourselves or our colleagues. 

In my personal experience, some of my builds were done well below what I 
might normally charge because the budget had been established by the theater 
before discussions about cost, etc., were even begun. (Yale - Juilliard) (And I 
wanted to do it.) 
In some cases, I simply couldnt do it for that money. 
In others, where the artistic/mechanical challenge of the project warranted 
my time, I accepted to do the job for less. My choice, obviously. 
In all cases, I instructed those involved, that in other markets, they would 
not get the work done for this price. 
In several instances, I wanted to work with the puppeteer/director. I didn't 
care about the money. Did I need the cash? Yes I did.

I am located in New Haven. I'm thinking that I would take a different tack if 
I lived and competed in New York. 

One has to be realistic. No question. 
Cynicism - where it is present - takes up some of that space where the JOY in 
doing what one really loves, resides.

For what it's worth.

Fred Thompson



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