Puppetry

[Fozzie Bear]

HIYA!!

Hey, was wondering how many people (besides myself) we have around here who does puppetry rather frequently (performance or building or both? professional or for fun?).

Later on!
FOZ

[matleo]

hey Foz,
Yeah, I'm a professional puppeteer ( i hitnk you new that though) . Got a BFA in it and everything! No kidding! Work for Paper Moon Marionette theater as well as run my own company, Lionheart Puppet Co. I also do a lot of freelance building work and am treasurer for the Garden State Guild of Puppetry. You should check out my website, www.lionheartpuppets.com We have a lot of changes ot make to it still, but the basic idea is there.

--Matt

[Bovegard]

Hi,

I do Puppetering to. I have my own puppet group at my church.

I use Rod arm puppets.

What kind of puppets do you use???

:) First time I've been on this Forum.

Bye for now,

Bovegard

[Fozzie Bear]

Matleo-
Hiya, I don't think I did know all that about you! That's pretty kewl, a BFA and everything!! KEWL! I have a BSA according to my friends, but we won't discuss that. I'm going to check out your webby site in a few.

I just realized that the Mid-South Cartoonists Association website hasn't been updated in a few months, but the Photo Gallery has, and that's where all my puppets are, including the puppet I made of the elusive Dr. Lovemonkey for that pal o' mine who does that comic strip at Rock 103's website: www.rock103.com/crew/funnypages (not for the faint of heart). The cartoon versions of my puppets are there as well under the Muley icon.

BTW, if you can use marionette puppets, man, you're my hero! I get all tangled up in the strings and just stink at it! Anyhow, if you check the pics you can see what kind of puppets I'm used to performing.

Bovegard-
I use the same kind of puppets, plus live hand puppets. It's great fun and I love it. If you go to www.midsouthcartoonists.com and check all the albums in the Photo Gallery, you'll see my puppets and costumes there, as well as figure out that Muley is my main character as he's EVERYWHERE!!

Later on!
De FOZ

[matleo]

Yeah, tangles happen, but you get used tot hem...most of them. ou learn how to work with it and go with the flow. Mainly I like using rod puppets though and doing mask work. I love doin mask work I do a lot of work with hand puppets too. I've done some Muppet-style puppets. Just built some crude shadow puppets last night. I'm hoping to update my site soon, I should have some real cool stuff to put on there (Emporer's New Clothes, Little Red Hen, and The Hobbit) I'll let everybody know abotu it, when and if it ever gets the update. I've seen your work a few times (pics, that is) I like it. you look like you have a lot of fun and you've had some good opportunities. Talk to you later.

--Matt

BTW: I think I just settled on my avatar. You may have noticed it flipping back and forthe the last few days. What do you think?

[Iggy35]

I've made a fair few puppets in my time and have puppeteered since around the age of 6! (For fun & video mainly)

You know, I always used to think the following: The puppets I made weren't profesional or even good, because I made them from crap I found lying around the house.

Then years later I think, heck..isn't that what they do at Henson?? I've used coke bottles, destroyed towels, made eyes from bathroom sealant, etc. I've never shopped for Antron fleece or Polyfoam, but still consider myself quite a good puppet builder. Plus, having to find alternatives keeps the imagination working overtime! :)

IGGY35

[Fozzie Bear]

Groovy new avontrol Matt!! Or, whatever that thing is called. I'm goin' back to sleep, man, nobody's landed.

If we have another MuppetFest Muppet Central Get-Together, we need to make it a "Bring Your Puppet" night and everyone attending brings their puppet. Muley would enjoy that, also meeting other puppets that he hasn't met before.

The only problem is that Muley starts hollering out, "Let me try it! Let me try it!"

He doesn't understand puppetry that well yet, tho.

FOZ de Kev

[Cindy Chapman]

If we have another MuppetFest Muppet Central Get-Together, we need to make it a "Bring Your Puppet" night and everyone attending brings their puppet.

Great idea Kev! Will Kermit heads be allowed again?

[Fozzie Bear]

Originally posted by Cindy Chapman
Great idea Kev! Will Kermit heads be allowed again?

Ummm...uh, ummm. I dunno. Kermit heads by itself? That might be a bit too much for Muley to handle. I'll let you have the idea and run with it.

Muley has his little Kermit toy he plays with, and Buford the Dog has an orange puppet he calls Orangey in his own puppet shows (that's fun, performing your puppet performing his own puppet show)! I dunno, maybe if it's homemade.

Muppet Central Puppet Meeting at MuppetFest2 should be at a place where there's non-greasy foods, and folks should bring their own HOMEMADE puppets methinks...and if it turns out to be a homemade Kermit or something, cool!

But, hopefully none that's been beheaded. The Mule would get some indigestion over that. And do you know what it's like to get indigestion from raisin bran?? Ew.

FOZ

[DrGoshposh]

Hiya Foz,

I too am a puppeteer, and hope to one day do it professionally. I have designed and built several characters. Some friends and I were planning to do a public access show, but they all jumped ship (they have some issues with motivation).

I now plan to do a show all by myself (I have once before done a video with several characters where I shot each one individually, and then edited it together to look like they were all talking to each other. It turned out pretty good, but I think it could be really good with practice.). I'll let you know how it turns out.

I love the pictures of Muley, by the way. I like his design very much.

Scott

[MuppetQuilter]

I've been making puppets for years. My last public performance was of Three Billy Goats Gruff in Mrs. Bruns's 2nd grade class back in the 1970s (I'm way too tired to do the math and come up with an exact date)-- but I do love to build 'em. Lately I've been making heads and getting excited about a new idea and starting the next head before I complete the body. Heads are always rolling around my studio! LOL If I ever manage to finish one of these guys I'll post pictures. I've only recently started working on foam puppets so I'm anxious for a little feedback.

[Jivepuppet]

hey Foz
You already know I'm in puppetry/puppet making. I think it's great this thread started. We should all keep each other posted on our projects, there may come a time where we can all help each other out!

[Scrid]

29 years of performing, had a children's show on TV in Bakersfield CA in the 70s, work in the libraries now (going for my Master's), and I do hand/rod and shadows (I was always too clumsy for strings)

[Fozzie Bear]

Hey Scrid, that's great! I hope one day to be able to say I've done something worth while!

Jivepuppet--I think we should keep things updated on projects, sure! I don't really have much going on right now, and usually don't have much to tell until after the project is ready to begin (had too much stolen really). Currently, I'm scripting a big puppet show for Muley and the Gang and am considering doing it with a puppet stage or doing it where the puppeteers are visible like at Muppet Fest's Live Muppet Show. What do you all think?

MuppetQuilter-Kewl on the puppet building stuff. I am also thinking about doing a series of puppet shows with Muley based on stories like that. I thought about doing some Biblical Scripts where Muley, Buford the Dog, and Roy Duck would be like Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendigo (I know they aren't spelled right), or they narrate a special puppet production about certain aspects of the Bible.

Scott--On the motivation thing, I know EXACTLY what you mean! I can't get ANYBODY to follow thru with anything in Memphis. They all have dreams and desires, will talk about it all, but when given the chance, they freak out, chicken out, and back out. We (my buddy Lin and I, he's Beetlejuice in the pics at the site you looked at and found Muley) went downtown in Memphis one day and filmed Muley doing "Mule on the Street" things, making jokes about stuff going on, and interviewing folks. We even interviewed the mayor of Memphis and Mayor Herenton called himself a MULE!! LOL! It was great. It was amazing to me how well people took to Muley down there that day, and even more amazing how much I can get away with using that puppet. Thanks for the compliment! There's going to be some puppet re-builds going on in my cast soon. Frank N. Stern, a Frankenstein character, is going to lose that name as the puppet (but retain it as a cartoon character) and the puppet will become Frank Steinatra. I've recently become obsessed with Frank Sinatra for some strange reason.

later all!
FOZ

[Jivepuppet]

Sounds good, if anyone has any live performances, or videos, or anything they want to share we should list them here, for each others reference (and entertainment)
As for myself, I'm working on a show, and a full length film with my puppets, both in preproduction.

[Fozzie Bear]

Originally posted by Jivepuppet
Sounds good, if anyone has any live performances, or videos, or anything they want to share we should list them here, for each others reference (and entertainment)
As for myself, I'm working on a show, and a full length film with my puppets, both in preproduction.

Lucky. I'm still in the scripting processes for the big things; Muley in the meantime is making Celebrity Appearances...heh heh, and he ain't even a Celeb yet!! I don't understand it, but as long as people are liking it, I ain't gonna fuss!

Was just invited to a big thing downtown next Wednesday night, and I have NO idea where, or what time. One of my friends will tell me though. I have great friends; too bad none of them are puppeteers.

How and where do you find your puppeteers?

Later,
FOZ

[Jivepuppet]

I kidnap people.

Just kidding.
Usually i get some frieds to help out, and my wife. I've got five people I can count on! I'm very lucky that my closer friends are interested in this stuff. Also if you're a member of Puppeteers of America you get a directory of all the members, many of them are willing to give a hand when they can (no pun intended).

[Fozzie Bear]

Lend a hand!! WOCKA WOCKA!!

Hey, I have friends who want to help out, but they're not very coordinated, and there's only one PofA person local, but they don't return calls or mai!! Geez!

Well, maybe I'll find some help soon!
Later on!
FOZ

[Jivepuppet]

Foz,
I had to train some of my friends, so i understand where you're coming from in the lack of coordination department! POA members can be like that. I'm a member myself and have had a hard time with a few other members. Overall being in POA has been an excelent expirience, and I do recomend it to any puppeteer. Just the store alone is worth it.
Jon

[Fozzie Bear]

I tried to do some training, it just didn't work so well. I'll figure something out tho!

P of A is a great place to be! I hope to ONE DAY make it to a festival.

One day I'll be able to plan something for Nat'l Day of Puppetry here in Memphis, I hope. Get SOME attention back on puppetry.

Later on!
Foz

[Iggy35]

Doesn't anyoe on here make foam puppets that is in the UK??
Do puppet makers even excist in the UK??
Im beginning to doubt!
Try doing a search on ebay in the uk, you get a list of string and sock puppets.
Do it for the us and you get loads of cool things,...DONTCHA BUTCHCAT??? hehehe
Naah I just really need to find a half decent puppet maker in the uk to swap tips with.

IGGY35

[monkeymuppet]

It's so cool that there are so many puppeteers on this board, but its to be expected. Any teenage puppeteers out there? In Nashville I think I'm the only one. Oh well. It's still fun though.

Adios,
~Megan~

[Chilly Down]

I've been doing little puppet shows since I was a kid, and I helped my parents with several puppet shows at church during my teens. My most recent puppet experience was just messing around with a friend of mine and his digital camera. We got the toy Ernie and Berts up, and we recreated a few classic bits and then we just started goofing around. It was funny, though, because we actually hooked up an old computer monitor to the digital camera so we would watch what we were doing from behind the couch...the way the Henson people do it! That's the only time I've worked in that form before.

I also agree Kev's idea is great. I may try to bring some of my parent's puppets with, if they can bear to take the chance of it getting lost on the trip. Come to think, that idea makes me nervous too. Hmm. Well, we'll have to work out something. I'd love for us to all be sitting around a restaraunt having a bunch of puppets converse with each other! Till the paddywagons come for us, of course... ;)

I agree that the biggest difficulty is finding other puppeteers. Are there any others out there in the Chicagoland area?

[Fozzie Bear]

TheDude06 (S/N at the old forums) is Matt and he lives around there doing performances with comedy and magic. Maybe he'll post here, soon!

later,
FOZ

(PS, thanks for liking my idea!)

[Chilly Down]

Yeah, I know Matt's up here too. He never responds to my posts though. Either he's extremely busy or I scared him somehow. :rolleyes: Thanks anyway!

[Fozzie Bear]

I'm not for sure, but that sequin dress and fish-net stockings could have been what scared him! LOL! JUST KIDDIN!!

I'll talk to him next time he's online. Are you interested in doing a puppet production or something? He's got some major performance work, and I know he's very busy, too.

E-mail me at FozzieMup@aol.com and I'll forward it on to him!

Later on!
FOZ

[scarylarrywolf]

Hey Foz!

I be a puppeteer too. I finally got my site completely up, so you can check out some more of my puppets at the www box at the bottom of this thing (nifty). Good stuff.

-"Scary" Larry Wolf

[Fozzie Bear]

Hiya!!

yeah, I remember Larry!!

Hopefully, we can all get together again at the next MuppetFest! In some other thread I mentioned that the next MC Muppet Fest Family Reunion that we need to all bring our own puppets to meet and greet each other. Sorry that last year's didn't see Muley and Larry meeting. That could have been fun!

I'll check your website out in a bit!

later,
FOZ

[fishbone]

im in calfornia,i'm a puppeterr ,want to be full time,just started to buildworking on a girl monster,can anybody spare any photo copies of muppet style bodies, rom a book or somethng,i just have the head ,most of my puppets are made out of balls.o yeah ,im working with this guy out here named mike earl,now i just found out he was a puppeteer,but!!!!heres the kicker,i also heard from another puppeteer that this guy was one of the creators of snuffy? i find it a little hard to believe,but if you told me 5mnths ago that i was gunna meet pee-wee herman &david arqett,i would not believe it.

[dwmckim]

CLose enough...not a creator but he did Snuffy for a time after Jerry Nelson (the original performer) retired from the role due to back strain.

[John Steffens]

Well, I have been into puppets and the Muppets for a long time now.

I really want to get started on making my own puppets and see where I can go with them.

I'm going to get the foam book.
Also going to start drawing some plans for my future muppets.

I'm curious to know, does anybody have any pics of their creations?
can someone give any pointers for first timers?

also does this foam book have the plans to make the mouth plates and everything?
like bodies and the sticks that attach to the arms?

Then what about putting clothes on your character?
Do you have to start learning a sewing machine?

lastly,
where's the best place you've found accerories?
Glasses, eyes...etc

[Fozzie Bear]

John Steffens--

You can see my character creations at www.midsouthcartoonists.com in the photo gallery. The main one you'll see is Muley the Mule, who is my main character.

If you have specific questions, feel free to email me directly at FozzieMup@aol.com or just ask them here.

Hobby stores carry tons of things to use for accessories; then there's always second hand shops (clothing and glasses etc).

Eyes? I use ping pong balls cut down, felt, whatever I feel works for that character...even plastic spoon ladels. But NEVER those googly-eyes that are plastic. I hate those. Well, I did use it on one puppet cause that's kind of his personality...just nutty.

Knowledge of a sewing machine is a good idea, but you can also make short short short stitches by hand that work as well.

I never owned the foam book. Wish I did. Someone want to make a donation?

There's another whole thread about mouth plates in the forum; arm rods? The new Muley I will be making this week will have 4 arms, 2 with built-in rods in his hands, and another set without rods at all.

Hope that helps, email me if you need to.
FOZ

[Buck-Beaver]

You can see examples of some of our puppets at omlemedia.com (http://www.omlemedia.com) and over at OMCS (http://www.omlemedia.com/puppetshop/)

Some good places on the web for puppet building info are The Puppetry Homepage (http://www.sagecraft.com/puppetry/) and Puppetbuilder.com (http://www.puppetbuilder.com).

Good luck!

[puppetguy]

I've been a professional puppeteer for over 12 years and have had a passion for the art since I was 2. Like Matt, I went to the University of Connecticut for some higher education. But, unlike Matt, I went there for my MA. I design and build my puppets as well as write (adapt) the material for all my productions. Most of what I perform are touring shows, but I have also done some television work.

Check out my work at my website: www.allhandsproductions.com

[John Steffens]

I'm curious about your guys' puppet character design.

Do you find it better to sketch or draw your designs?
or do you prefer to create as you go along?

[Fozzie Bear]

I do everything beginning with either an extremely well-rounded idea in my head so I know how it will look from all angles or from sketches now. Originally, the puppet characters all are made based on my cartoon characters, so I have the sketch work already done. I would suggest that you work from sketches in the beginning, break your sketches down into "sections" to see how you'll fit the puppet together, then build build build!!

FOZ

[puppetguy]

>Do you find it better to sketch or draw your designs?
>or do you prefer to create as you go along?

I do a bit of both...Everything I build starts as a sketch, but during the building process, sometimes wonderful discoveries can be made that I hadn't thought of when drawing. That's what is great about building your own puppets: you're free to change the whole design during the course of a build if you wish. No rules!

[Buck-Beaver]

Originally posted by John Steffens
Do you find it better to sketch or draw your designs?
or do you prefer to create as you go along?

We usually sketch out ideas, at least roughly. I am by no means an accomplished artist so my personal drawings tend to be either fairly crude, or computer rendered (I don't do computer renderings very often though). All I try to do is convey a basic idea of what the character should look like. Some of the more talented builders I work with do awesome, full realized conceptual art that nails the character head-on. I admire that and wish I could do it.

On important projects, or when we are building for clients with big budgets, we will use the sketch as the basis for a clay model of the puppet and the puppet builder will work from that.

Sometimes, simply as a creative exercise I will build a puppet with no drawing and just a vague idea of what I want. That's kind of neat, almost like sculpture, where you slowly let the creation reveal itself to you.

It's fun to experiment with different approaches, but it's usually best to work in the way that makes you feel the most comfortable. There is no one right way to build a puppet.

I hope some of these random thoughts are useful!

[fishbone]

hey, does anybody 28 or older remember the show hot fudge?or something fudge,bacck in mass it used to come after slim good body,he had some crazy puppets too...