Performing Two Characters At Once

[Punch'n'Judy]

No Roy didn't do the puppetry although he did write a number of the episodes. However at times he doesn't do the voices, then they are done by the puppeteers (for live interviews, public appearances, night clubs etc). Ronnie LeDrew is responsible for Zippy, whilst Craig Crane was George. However a number of other puppeteers worked on the show over the years.

 

[Beauregard]

*shivers at memories of Zippy*

Sorry, but he is really creepy and annoying!!!

Cool puppet though...

 

[Was Once Ernie]

So how did Burr Tilstrom operate 2 puppets, and provide their voices?

The man was a genius.

I don't mean this as a tear-down of Burr in any way... but the simple answer is: Kukla didn't have a moving mouth. And as much as I loved his work, he didn't do strict lip-sync the way Jim Henson did. He just kind of opened and closed Ollie's mouth when he felt like it.

 

[Super Scooter]

I'd like to make a suggestion for working two characters at once. I find it helpful to make sure that when I come across something like this to make both characters completely different. For example: One mellow, straight-man, the other a wild, crazy, off-the-wall comic piece. I don't know why it helps me, but it does. I can use my left hand well enough to control a character with very simple movements (like character number one), and my right hand can do whatever it needs to (for character number two, the wild one). Or, if you have a hard time with lip-synch with your left hand, have the crazy character on your left hand and have him/her constantly moving. You don't need perfect lip synch for a character jumping around like Daffy Duck on caffeine.

 

[Eight's King]

I got to play "Bear's" Pip and Pop (and a couple other duos) simultaniously. Just grab a mirror and practice, practice, practice. Just give each hand a seperate brain and isolate each individual bicep. After hours of practice its just a fun challenge!

 

[Barry Lee]

I got to play "Bear's" Pip and Pop (and a couple other duos) simultaniously. Just grab a mirror and practice, practice, practice. Just give each hand a seperate brain and isolate each individual bicep. After hours of practice its just a fun challenge!

Really? Did you do the "Live" show?

 

[Beauregard]

Yup, you gotta let your hands to all the thinking by themselves!