Any Tips for Beginners?

[Peaches]

Hello all,

I would first like to say thank you so much for the information in the forum. I really think I may have found a new hobby!

I introduced myself on the welcome forum and I am now ready to begin the magic of puppetry!

I am so excited, but I am looking for some advice and tips. This is my very first puppet. It is actually for a college assignment in a creative arts class. I am currently a junior (albeit and old junior, I am 35) going for my BA in early childhood/sp.ed. Yes I will one day be teaching children as scary as that sounds.

I did not want to do the traditional sock puppet that we all made in elementary school so I took to the web and started surfing. I am now the brand new owner of the Rotondo pattern from Project Puppet. Yeah me!

My pattern has been reinforced with poster board and cut out. I have the necessary supplies. And I am now....scared to cut the foam . That stuff is expensive!

So my point of this post after rambling on is do any of you have any tips for a beginner? I would love to be able to create many puppets for my future students to express learning and this wonderful art form. I do not want to get frustrated with my very first one.

Thanks so much everyone! This site is going to be a priceless resource in all my puppet endeavors!

 

[SesameKermie]

You're off to a good start with the Rotondo patern. Project Puppet's patterns are excelent for anyone. I would also recommend studying good puppetry performance--Lip-sync, eye focus, etc. Without it, you're just "waving a dolly around". With it, that hunk of foam and fabric is a separate entity, entrancing and entertaining children and adults alike.

 

[practicecactus]

When cutting the foam with something like boxcutters, use a new sharp blade. If it's even slightly dull it won't slice through in one move and you could tear the foam's edge. Try to use the best materials and stuff if you can. Even just decent contact cement. I used crappy spray adhesive contact cement and just got frustrated and lack of a decent bond sometimes. Take your time Check and recheck things before cutting anything and and have the overall idea for the puppet running through your head while making it.

Don't be discouraged or dissapointed after you've finished your first puppet. These things get better with time and everyone's first puppet is never muppet level of awesomenes. After a while you'll look at your puppet and see ways to do it better. That's what you'll do with each one.
Have fun.

 

[Peaches]

I finally cut the pattern and have the head for the most part together. I tried with some glue that just would not hold, so went to the store and got the weldwood stinky stuff.

I was not planning on covering the puppet with the foam but the seams look like they are going to show a good bit. I am hoping the glue will dry clearer than what it looks now. Also the foam I do have may not be as forgiving as the Scotts foam. But we will see.

Thanks for the advice! So far I am having fun with it and hope to make many more. This one is probably going to be my "practice" one. I have already seen a couple things I would like to try a bit different.

 

[shtick]

Don't be afraid to veer off the beaten path of Project Puppet instructions. They're great, but part of the magic is doing your own thing! After your first "by the book" puppet, try something different! You'll be glad you did.

Welcome!

 

[CoOKiE]

I would like to repeat what Practice has said... i've often told people this myself because it almost killed me when i made a puppet once... It was my 6th... but it was a newer desgin (non of my own creations are the same... but this one just felt differenter lol)...

It came out bad and i felt like Dr Frankenstein. Having such an awesome idea... untill bringing it a physical appearance... I was so upset and wanted to stop.

A friend of mine, another member on the boards, who i'll leave nameless, has stopped building after his 4th. The materials are expensive, and sometimes you may think, "is this worth it? I'm not making money back for this." So i also suggest using cheap matieral for your begining stages. Don't get too cocky and build something you expect to come out perfect.. but build something you feel is out of your league if you wish. Challenge yourself. You'll learn from every puppet you do, how you can make the next one better. I'm still learning.

And btw... you never know if it will come around and make you money someday... I've done performing and training on my own... i never took a course, but i kept the dream... and surprisingly i found a place i could go and get paid... Did an audition... haven't been there very long, but i'm one of their most talented... and they call me over people who have been there for years... which is the best feeling. Sorry to get too personal... I could go on but i wont.. just wanted to share my story to a beginner

Btw... Welcome to the forums

 

[Peaches]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I have almost completed the head. The only thing left is his ears.

My daughter (she is 3), is having a fit for it. So this one will probably be hers. It actually turned out ... decent. He turned out to be a group effort between my husband and myself. I am not sure who is enjoying the challenge more me or him .

We have already formed the head for the puppet I will use for my class. The second already looks a lot neater than the first. There are a few things we learned this first go round on how to do a bit different. I REALLY want to make one using better foam.

So far having a blast and have already sketched out a few more puppets. I can just see how this could play an important role in my classroom.

 

[puppetsmith]

Don't be afraid to veer off the beaten path of Project Puppet instructions. They're great, but part of the magic is doing your own thing! After your first "by the book" puppet, try something different! You'll be glad you did.

I'd like to echo that great advice.The Project Puppet patterns are not meant to be "a solution to all your puppet building needs". They're just a great place to start the "magic". Each puppet you build, try something different, and before long you'll have developed your own building style. That's what makes puppet building an art.