Neat: Vacuformed Hand Grip For Mouth Plates

[Buck-Beaver]

Finally got around to trying something new for puppet mouth plates today, a vacuformed plastic hand grip. In the past I've tried a dozen or so different ways of making these, but I really like this.

It's a prototype and a little rough; the final step is to cover the plastic with shammy material so it's comfortable on the puppeteer's hand (I did the photo before that step so the individual components were visible).

http://twitpic.com/3djijm

 

[crazy chris]

so hows it feel?

looks super cool!

cc

 

[Buck-Beaver]

It's very comfortable once covered in shammy, although I think the shape needs some refining so that it has a slightly more ergonomic design. I may sculpt a new model later this week if I have time.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Here's the mouth plate installed inside the final puppet (well part of it) - http://twitpic.com/3dud60

 

[spcglider]

That's interesting. I usually go for a very minimal grip. Most often just a ridge to hook your fingers on. I've never used anything that big in a puppet head. How do you find the working properties of a grip that size? Does the size help relieve hand strain? What bought you to using that size? Totally curious.

-Gordon

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Well, I am constantly experimenting with new approaches to mouth grips. I've often done smaller ridges too.

This was an experiment to develop something more comfortable; we built a large moose (our shop is always doing moose, bears and beavers, it must be a Canadian thing) that had a similar really comfortable hand grip, but it was built as a one-off. The idea is to build something that allows the puppeteer's hand to grip the puppet's mouth without any strain. It's very comfortable, although not perfect.

 

[dmoss]

Has anyone ever thought to use memory foam, to act as a better buffer between the fingers and mouth? It would allow both more dexterity and control over mouth and head movements.

 

[TheCreatureWork]

Memory foam on the top of the handgrip- inside- I could see. But for the bottom you need something more rigid to provide stability and allow your hand to "curve" over it. I find memory foam looses it's memory after a while and becomes like ordinary foam.