Foam Book Vs. Muppet Workshop

[Squigiman]

Hey everyone,
I don't know if anyone can help me, but I recently picked up The Foam Book and the two accompanying videos for each head design method. I think these will be great learning tools to help me get started in my first attempts at puppet-building. However, I wonder how closely the methods shown relate to those used by the Muppet Workshop, in terms of constructing characters.

Wondering about how the Muppet characters are built has been something that's occupied my time, for quite a while. Though I'd like to replicate some of the characteristics of certain characters, I also felt like I wanted to only find out how it's done by getting a job amongst them, so I could be in, in order to get the "secrets".

It seems that there are always those who know more about me, as far as what I'd like to know, but isn't readily available to the public, amongst the muppet fan circles, so I figured I'd ask for any help or advice. For one thing, I found it interesting to see the use of foam core for mouth pieces. I have often wondered about the mouths of characters, such as Fozzie and Rowlf, as well as their heads as a whole, as they don't seem to be very foam based. I wondered if this is what was being used, or if it was something altogether different, especially as I don't see foam core feeling right as a mouth, being too stiff.

Similarly, I have to wonder about Kermit's structure. I know the original was made from a coat, but still, I wonder a lot about him. I've learned of antron fleece being the stuff primarily used to cover characters, so that's one thing, but how they're put together still eludes me. I know Kermit has a very flexible head, as he is capable of many expressions, such as the "sheesh" face, and his ability to give a worried "gulp" of a swallow. Still, his head has a definite shape, and I don't believe it's simply the hand of Jim or Steve. Also, how his mouth is so flexible, yet can return to a simple straight-forward flappable thing, really amazes me.

Of course there's the eyes of Gonzo and Animal, as well, which I've seen mentioned here, and looked at the diagram and the taking apart of the Animal toy, but still don't get, though I kinda like that, in the mystique and unobtainability of it, but I do want to eventually be able to replicate the effect. I even wonder if you could do the Muppetty eyes with top and bottom lids, but both sides with the ability to blink. I remember at BAM that Carroll mentioned for Big Bird using a bent wire hanger, though I don't know if he meant it completely literally, but just something of that nature. Still I have no clue as what to do.

Lastly, I am curious about the hollowness level of heads. I found the book's approach interesting, as I never really thought of it that way. I always thought they would start with a block of foam and carve it to shape, then hollow it out for hand room. I look at Bunsen and Piggy and Statler and Waldorf, and I don't see them having all that empty space inside. I'm mainly posting this, now, as I just watched "Of Muppets & Men" for the first time, thanks to a trade with Phil (don't worry, you'll get your half, soon), and I just wish it got more in depth about the construction. It was still great and fascinating and cool to see the greats at work, but I really want to know how to make 'em like the masters. Any help on any of the above subjects would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot, and take care.


-Squigiman

 

[Buck-Beaver]

There isn't one way to build a puppet Squigiman and I wouldn't get to hung up on doing things the way the Muppets do it - do what's best for your work and don't worry about anyone else.

There's essentially three basic approaches to building a foam puppet:

The Wedge Method - I explain this method here; the Foam book's "three piece head" method is essentially a simplified version of the wedge method.

The Profile Method - Essentially you pattern the profile of a character, cut it out twice (one side reverse) and make a gusset to go down the middle. John Kennedy briefly explains this approach on his web site @ http://www.puppetkit.com/c/81

The "Sock" Method - This is how Kermit is made, it's basically a sock puppet you make by cutting out two pieces of fabric and sewing it together. Buck - the puppet in my avatar - is made that way.

Most foam puppets (unless they are made using a mold like Miss Piggy) are made through a combination of these techniques. There's also Grey Seal's "Nip and Tuck" Method but not many builders use it.

All really good puppets are the product of a lot of trial and error, even when they're made by the best in the business. In fact, I'd wager that the better the builder the more trial and error goes on. I've read that Rick Lyon sometimes builds his puppets 4 or 5 times over before he gets them right.

 

[practicecactus]

Well I'm makin my second puppet and I'm just making them by first making the mouth peice ,out of 2 bits of foam, cutting slits in them, and no mouth plate.(Just figured that would make the mouth more expressive.-it's comfy too) And then building up the head by sticking more foam onto it.

P.S- If you wanna see my first simple puppet, sign up to Muppets DownUnder

 

[Iokitek]

yeah there are so many different ways to go at it. Right now I'm looking for foam sculpting tools. Because that just seems to attract me more than say, making a pattern for instance. But I'll try anything once. I'm also working on a design for super simple puppets that will be perfect to make charicatures with for a sort of user-friendly type webseries (yes I am working on various projects at the same time, wich isn't smart, I know). I guess their design is sort of based on the wedge or three piece head method.

Buck, I have a question about what you said about Kermit. He is still "fortified" with foam in certain areas right? I guess that's what Squigiman was wondering about aswell. How kermit can look and move like a sock puppet but his mouth just seems to pop back into place everytime. I also don't really get how they do that. And I would like to use that in my puppets aswell.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

I'm not sure as to the specifics of his head (maybe Ravagefrackle can shed some light on that?) but I suspect that's more a function of either the materil he's made from or the way the head was built than anything else.

The easiest way to "fortify" a head would be to make a little foam skull from 1/2" foam. In the case of the Buck puppets I have they just have a little pillow in the head to fill them out.

 

[Squigiman]

Thanks, so far, for the advice, but I would also like any possible explanations, if known, for any of the examples I mentioned, specifically. Also, any way to better understand how to make a pattern, using wedges. I can get an idea for a head shape, but knowing how and where and what size the wedges should be made is something I'm not too sure of. Like if I used a profile, like in John's example, there's still wedges involved, and I can't figure out how one goes about placing them. Thanks again, and take care.


-Squigiman

 

[ravagefrackle]

Kermit. He is still "fortified" with foam in certain areas right?

How kermit can look and move like a sock puppet but his mouth just seems to pop back into place everytime.

I also don't really get how they do that. And I would like to use that in my puppets aswell.

the only foam in kermit is his body , and some in the legs and arms, the shapes kermit makes have to do with the puppeteers hands, and the way he use them inside the head, he is a very simple puppet compared to others but sometimes that is what works the best.

also his fleece is different than all the other muppets, its a stiffer material, not as soft as regular antron fleec,

(and to every one wondering it is not availible fo sale it was special made years and years ago.)

 

[Iokitek]

Actually I studied well tonight and I noticed aswell that he had to be made of a stiffer material. But not foam. After studying exactly what he can do I'm getting more and more interrested in building something similar.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Well the basic idea of the wedge concept is that you cut eight identical wedges and then glue them together (two at a time). Imagine an orange sliced in to eight equal slices. That's kind of what you're going for. If the wedges are done at a ratio of 4:1 (four times longer than they are wide) eight wedges glued together will create a perfect ball if everything is done properly. You create different shapes by varying the size, shape and number of wedges.

There is no book that will explain everything unfortunately. It takes years to learn all this stuff. I have to finish five or six puppets in the next week. I have no idea how I am going to build them. You just sort of sit down, try some things and see what works. Then you take what you've learned and apply it to the next project. There is no magical secret other than trial and error.

Is there a very specific effect you're trying to create? If so, maybe explain that and provide a drawing or diagram or two and everyone here can be more helpful.