r/puppets

I am trying to build my daughter a dragon shoulder puppet that she sticks her hand and arm into to use as the head/neck. I got these dino masks on Amazon that already have a hinge mechanism but I am having a hard time getting the jaw to open and close reliably and want to build a mechanical system that my daughter could hold onto and pull back on to make it open and close (see pic). But it needs to be vertical so it can sit at the back of the head and she can hold onto it. Any help or tips would be grateful. Thanks!!

Tape 01 has been recovered from the archive. Stella the Unicorn delivers her first broadcast of guidance. Listen closely—some advice is meant to be saved, while other parts are best left buried.

#puppets #creepycute #arg #foundfootage #weirdcore #oddities #puppetshow #vintagevibes #darkcomedy #shortfilm

hello! I’m currently working on two cat puppets for my school’s production of Peter and the star catcher. they both are the same cat although serve different functions for different scenes. one cat is a more stiff and controlled version that will be for scenes were it simply just exists as a cat. however the second is going to be more ragdoll like with the purpose of being thrown at one point and floating at another point ( floating will be achieved with a large stick which it will dangle from)

I’ve already made a lot of progress on my first cat which is the normal one that is just meant to walk and look alive. I sketched out a plan for how I want it to work. it will be controlled with two rods attached to the flank and back of head. there is a woman who creates puppets using this technique named judith hope. however I can’t find any other sources of people making puppets like this. I’ve tried to find what this type of puppets is called but keep coming up short, does anyone know if there is a name to this technique or if they know of any other artists who have examples of simaler puppets?

also I am struggling to figure out how I want to construct the body for the floppy version which will be floating. I have made both the heads for the puppets but started the second ones body. Ideally I want the long rod to be able to attach to the upper back of the puppet so it can float around but also be able to detach seamlessly by the actors during this scene.

other info is that ideally I finish both of these in two weeks so that the puppeteer can have two weeks to practice with the finished pieces before the show.

the puppets need to resemble each other because they meant to be the same cat.

im gonna put photos of what i have and my inspo above.

also will note that although ive made simple hand puppets and understand some things about making puppets i am still very new to making them and this is my first attempt at something other than simple hand puppets so any info i might wanna consider please let me know!

any tips or input would be so appreciate!!!

I cannot do a pneumatic system, i tried before and they are far too finicky and prone to breakage.