Job title? Or, a puppeteer by any other name...

[mrhogg]

Hey all,

Two questions: I'm trying to think of titles both for myself and Maddy for Hoggworks. I could list myself as a puppeteer, but there are a large number of other jobs I do in the course of making the videos, the puppets, doing the creative planning, etc. I think of a title like, say, Creative Director or something, but that doesn't seem to capture enough of it, nor does it capture the whimsy that I think a puppetry title should have. Also, some of my other ideas sound pretty inflated.

For Maddy, I want to call her a puppeteer, but she doesn't think it's accurate, because she only builds; she doesn't perform. I think "Puppet Maker" is a little too dry, or something. It feels like calling a Baker a Cake Maker because she doesn't also make croissants, or something.

To the second title, what makes a puppeteer a puppeteer? I'd have no problem calling a person who builds and performs puppets a puppeteer, and also I'd have no problem calling someone who simply performs them a puppeteer. If you "just" build them, though, does the label still work? Is there something more specific?

What do you guys use as titles for yourselves? Do you draw a distinction between build-and-perform puppeteers and build-only puppeteers?

 

[Buck-Beaver]

If someone builds puppets but doesn't perform them at all they are not a puppeteer, they are a Puppet Builder or Puppet Designer. That's the job title(s) really and both sound better than "Puppet Maker".

You could call yourself Creative Director possibly? CEO? Supreme Being?

 

[mrhogg]

I want something that doesn't sound too inflated for myself. Creative Director or something like that doesn't hit on the puppet part of things. Granted, you're talking a puppet studio, so there's the implication, there.

Puppet Builder could work for Maddy. It does sound better, I agree, than Puppet Maker.

 

[Super Scooter]

I want something that doesn't sound too inflated for myself. Creative Director or something like that doesn't hit on the puppet part of things. Granted, you're talking a puppet studio, so there's the implication, there.

Puppet Creative Director? Puppet Director? Puppet Coordinator? Hoggworks Creative Director?

 

[Ilikemuppets]

You're not a performer? Because if you were you could cell yourself a puppet performer. What about arranger or planner?

I alwys liked what Jim said. "I'm Jim Henson, and I'm a puppeteer", lol! He was clearly much more than that.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

How about Puppeteer / Designer / Podcaster?

That covers most of what you do.

 

[mrhogg]

True. I think of myself as a writer, also. Podcaster is more of the technological platform. Puppeteer would I think cover it all, but if you don't know that (as most people seem to think) then if you describe yourself as a puppeteer, they might think you just work the puppets, but don't do any of the other jobs you do.

This isn't specific to me, of course, I imagine it's something everyone has to contend with. What do you call yourself? Do you say puppeteer, leaving out the multiple other jobs? Do you give yourself a hyphenate title, or something grander?

 

[staceyrebecca]

Chief cook & bottle-washer?

 

[Super Scooter]

What do you call yourself? Do you say puppeteer, leaving out the multiple other jobs? Do you give yourself a hyphenate title, or something grander?

During the credits? Produced, Directed, Starring and Written by...

Actually, that is how I've credited myself before. But you bring up a good question. I dunno how to answer it.

 

[Blink]

If someone builds puppets but doesn't perform them at all they are not a puppeteer, they are a Puppet Builder or Puppet Designer. That's the job title(s) really and both sound better than "Puppet Maker".

You could call yourself Creative Director possibly? CEO? Supreme Being?

I agree.

Puppet Builder for Maddy and Creative Director for yourself.

Brian,

As you have already noted the fact that your company is a puppet company implies that your "creativity" (be it building, performing, writing, etc.) is associated with puppets.

I think that a tricky thing that I had to struggle with (and still do to some extent) is using titles accurately.

I personally feel comfortable using the titles puppeteer and puppet builder for myself. Do I design characters? Yes. Have I done consultant work on a variety of projects? Yep. I offer lots of services, but they are not the primary focus of my company.

I think you should instead decide what your company is offering and be very clear about it.

In one sentence what are you?

"An online puppet production services house?" (or something much more clever than that awkward sentence).

From that, you would have your title. You direct all that is creative within this company. Creative director.

That is what I think.