How Muley Started Volunteering

[Fozzie Bear]

That's good enough! I have one of those, too. They work more like a ventriloquist dummy more than a puppet. I'll try and remember to post a puppet pattern from online that's really easy to make.

 

[Erine81981]

Is this the same one u started w/ on the first Muley or is there anyone ur talking about?

 

[Fozzie Bear]

It's just a plain puppet character...not a Muley Pattern. Really, there isn't much pattern to Muley, I just make him out of my head as I build him. I have shown my pal Lin the process of making Muley with the last one built so if (God forbid) anything happened to me.

http://members.aol.com/BocasHouse/MG/BlueBoy.html The pattern is small, so it needs to be enlarged 1.5 times the size it is now. This is the pattern I based the Mahna-Mahna puppet I built after.

There are more patterns available here:
http://www.teacherhelp.org/puppets.htm

 

[Super Scooter]

It's just a plain puppet character...not a Muley Pattern. Really, there isn't much pattern to Muley, I just make him out of my head as I build him. I have shown my pal Lin the process of making Muley with the last one built so if (God forbid) anything happened to me.

That's how I make all my puppets. From my head. I've tried drawing out patterns, but they never work out right, so I just do without. And I was able to rebuild one that way, too, so at least I know I can do that.

 

[Erine81981]

Thanks Fozzie. I'll keep trying to send u the picture.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

I just remembered! There IS a Muley Pattern somewhere in my apartment! Years ago I traced it off as I cut out the material that I needed to use onto posterboard. Not that it works with today's version, but it's there. I want to create a doll pattern, I think.

Erine, I got the art last night and emailed you regarding cartooning and puppetry in 2 seperate emails.

 

[Puppetplanet]

Hey Foz,

I am not interested in doing puppet shows, but rather interacting with kids and my puppet partner that I'm working on. Can you suggest any books, or videos (even better) that might be able to help me with this type of "performance"? I've never done this and am very shy and nervous about it...... can you help with suggestions, ideas, and tips?

I'm asking here instead of personal e-mail so that everyone else can benefit from the info too. =)

I'm going to be starting out at a local library doing story time and being a volunteer in the childrens area during some of the weekends. I thought that might get my "feet wet" with some good practice, but I eventually want to visit the local childrens centers on a regular basis... hospitals, therapy, homeless....etc. Everything one on one because I don't have a puppet troop for shows and I think one puppet is all I can handle right now! lol

 

[Buck-Beaver]

I don't know of any specific books or videos, but have you tried the PofA Bookstore or AV Library? There's lots of good stuff on a whole range of subjects.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

I don't know of any books or websites or anything to help in doing that. Know what I did? I grabbed Muley up and just went with it.

You know how you talk to people that you don't really know in conversation? Well, with a puppet, you can be a little more outgoing and animated with your voice and hold the same conversations with people.

With kids, just put the puppet mostly in front of your face when you're talking to them, but so that you can see their expressions and hear their voices. You pretend to be a kid and have "kiddie" conversations. Talk about cartoons, drawing, playing, toys...the things kids like to talk about. With adults, you talk about the weather, driving, clothes...

NEVER discuss politics, religion, or any of that stuff...unless that's the event you're at of course.

As time goes on, you can learn what to say, when to say it, the timing and quick-thinking jokes will come to you quicker--if you think of something later, keep pen and paper on hand and write it down for use later (for that, but being a cartoonist I keep it for all ideas).

You see that most of the time I'm not really doing a 'show,' but the walking around talking and carrying-on with people IS the 'show.' It's entertaining (to most).

One thing you HAVE to be ready for. There are some VERY sour people in this world, and you CANNOT let those people get you down. Just walk away and go play with other folks. Adults who do this have no sense of fun at all about them. At some events, Muley looks at them and says, "Hey, even your hallucinations have feelin's too, pal!" Then I let him back away from them kind of floating around.

Sometimes, even the kids can be soured--but, they're going through a LOT. Just tell 'em, "I love ya, and we'll talk soon sometime," and go on. That way, they know they won't be bothered for now, that you aren't mad at them for being sick, and will be able to talk to them when they're ready for you.

Anyways, you just have to be happy with a positive attitude, talk to folks--kids and/or adults--and go with the flow. Let them lead your conversations, but you break the ice.

Does this help any? I'm on cold meds right now, so I might not be the best help. If you have direct questions, we can all help ya' out. Buck and many others are smart, too, and know better answers than me.

 

[Puppetplanet]

Yeah it does help, especially with ideas. I'm totally not the kind of person to just walk up to strangers and start a conversation. With kids, it's much easier for me because I have three of them and know what most will say and do. My youngest was afraid of all my puppets for the first two years of her life..... can't figure out why.... kids are just different that way. She'll be three this month and is actually walking up to them in my office now and sqeezing their mouth and "talking" for them. lol

Oh boy, I don't know what I'd do if an adult was rude. The first few will probably be hard and rattle me a bit. I can just see it now.....I hope I don't curl up in the fetal position and hide. *laughing"