Storytelling & puppetry

[practicecactus]

Sure I agree Buck, to a certain extent, but you can't do anything without any of the skills to do it in the first place.

I've read some comics where the art is really bad, and although the story is trying to get out, it's just not working for me cause it's being let down by the bad art.

But by the same token really great art with a bad story is an empty affair.

You can't dismiss one or the other [not that anyone here is] .
That's what makes for a great story; the whole package, not just the story or the story-telling elements like editing and the like.
Unless it's all in the writting, a story that requires the bare minimum with the visuals, like 'clerks' for example, but it has to be really well written like that to be able to pull it off, and even with Clerks, it's really badly shot, and edited.

I draw, it's my thing, and I'm always trying to better myself in regards to my draftsmanship skills, so now when I wanna draw what I'm thinking, it's easier, I don't have to worry about what a torso in a certain position looks like or whatever, I can just set about focussing on the story and the look of it etc.

"Good craftsmanship never goes out of style."

To summarize though, I think you just have to play to your strengths.

 

[Anita The Great]

Going back to Buck Beaver's original post, I do believe that having some kind of story, is very important in puppetry (or in entertainment in general). But, I tend to work in a medium that requires a story (Puppet shows for children). I have, however, seen some really great sketch acts and one-off gags, and have noticed, that I am personally drawn to those pieces that have a point, a story, or a purpose for being.

That may not be what drives the creativity in others.

Thanks Buck Beaver for getting this started, I've really had to consider my story bias

 

[puppetsmith]

This is a great thread!

My opinion is that the story is everything. And, also in my opinion, skillful story-telling is equally if not slightly more important than the story itself. No matter how great a character is, the personality of the character can only be expressed to and understood by the audience through the story - the characters reaction and interaction with other characters and/or events. The physicality of the character should only reinforce the characters personality which in turn is defined by the story. Everything comes back to the story and how well the story is told.

The story is what reaches the minds and the hearts of an audience - not how well-built the puppets are.

 

[SesameKermie]

Storytelling

Going back to Buck Beaver's original post, I do believe that having some kind of story, is very important in puppetry (or in entertainment in general). But, I tend to work in a medium that requires a story (Puppet shows for children). I have, however, seen some really great sketch acts and one-off gags, and have noticed, that I am personally drawn to those pieces that have a point, a story, or a purpose for being.

That may not be what drives the creativity in others.

Thanks Buck Beaver for getting this started, I've really had to consider my story bias

Even sketch comedy has to have a story. Most of it is implied by staging and characterization, but the audience has to absorb enough about the setting and characters to understand the joke. Granted, for sketches a writer doesn't have to delve deeply into the character's background, but its kind of like they taught me in english class. You have to answer the basic questions:

• Who
• What
• When
• where
• Why
• How?

Without those answers, the audience is watching saing "huh?"

just my .02,

Jason

 

[Anita The Great]

Exactly. And beautifully put.

 

[ravagefrackle]

Sure I agree Buck, to a certain extent, but you can't do anything without any of the skills to do it in the first place.

I've read some comics where the art is really bad, and although the story is trying to get out, it's just not working for me cause it's being let down by the bad art.

But by the same token really great art with a bad story is an empty affair.

You can't dismiss one or the other [not that anyone here is] .
That's what makes for a great story; the whole package, not just the story or the story-telling elements like editing and the like.
Unless it's all in the writting, a story that requires the bare minimum with the visuals, like 'clerks' for example, but it has to be really well written like that to be able to pull it off, and even with Clerks, it's really badly shot, and edited.

.

"Good craftsmanship never goes out of style."

To summarize though, I think you just have to play to your strengths.

EDITIED FOR SPACE

i agree here, i guess i can be a bit of a design snob, if im not happy with the look of something i just cannot get into , a great story,or sketch,any kind of writing really with bad art, be it puppets ,animation,comic book art, or what have you will do nothing for me,
i have seen tons of different shows were the look and feel of the sets and characters leave me feeling cold so the story wont shine through, and vive versa were the characters and sets are amazing but the story leaves me flat , the two go hand in hand unforunetley few main stream producers for Tv,books, or other wise seem to have the gift knowing how important each is., just my two sense