Have any amateurs made Rod Puppets?

[TopperFraggle]

Just curious if anyone who isn't a professional has tried their hands at making Rod Puppets. These are the ones that your hand doesn't fit into, it just controls the puppet from beneath. Examples of this style would be Rizzo or Pepe.

 

[Blink]

Just curious if anyone who isn't a professional has tried their hands at making Rod Puppets. These are the ones that your hand doesn't fit into, it just controls the puppet from beneath. Examples of this style would be Rizzo or Pepe.

Hey TopperFraggle,

I was wondering why is this question is just for amatures?

 

[hennesprod]

I have mad a few..

I have made a few of these type controls.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

I don't fall in to the amateur catagory, but I've done several cockroach puppets like this that are rod controlled.

 

[TopperFraggle]

Just for amateurs, because I know that professionals have made some great rod puppets. I'm an amateur myself and am curious to get an opinion from others on how difficult it was for them.

Nice cockroach. Does he have a mouth?

 

[Blink]

Just for amateurs, because I know that professionals have made some great rod puppets. I'm an amateur myself and am curious to get an opinion from others on how difficult it was for them.

Nice cockroach. Does he have a mouth?

Just remember that professional builders did not always make great puppets and it was just as much of a struggle in the beginning for them as well. I am sure that there are many pros who can relate to building something for the first time. I often try new things out and have just as much trouble as anyone else. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Initially I had no idea of how to even start to build a rod puppet, so I decided to experiment. For my first rod puppet (made about 5 years ago) I used a spring clothes pin (that you can get from practically anywhere), wooden dowling, and a bike cable. I drew lots of pictures and did many different tests until I thought it might work.

Here is a picture of it. You can see the black bike cable and wooden dowl at the bottom. I just added the foam, fabric, crazy glued the ping pong ball eyes on and the test was complete.

Hope this helps.

 

[TopperFraggle]

That's a cute looking design. And the clothespin didn't have too much tension to work?

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Nice cockroach. Does he have a mouth?

Thanks, no the mouth can not be articulated because he had to be built fast and cheap. I'm going to be getting some new cockroaches built that have fully articulated mouths though.

Incidently, if you're looking for rod puppet starter info check out Nick Barone's website (scroll down to "Rod Puppet Diagrams"). I don't think his rubber band methods are the best, but this will help get you started.

I also can't recommend enough Figure Making Can Be Fun by Michael Brose. It's written for Vent figure makers, but the mechs in the book can be adapted to be used on any kind of puppet. He has some free diagrams if you click around his site.

 

[hennesprod]

I have some plans that I will put up

I have some drawings and designs that I will post in the next couple of days. Also, I am posting some photos of the alien head skull and tuts on how I created it in the next couple of as well.

Once you make one, the rest is easy. I will offer some thoughts on cable, string and rod control, just my opinions.

I love to share ideas.

William