Puppets Some More

Yep. More news on puppets.

I have started mache-ing the other puppet I have at school. I have done one layer. I am currently confused on where I am with the other one, since I seemed to have done more than I thought. I think I've done three layers, but I know that I have done more because I've been working at it for hours. This is an important lesson called "Keep Track of Where You Are." Speaking of keeping track, I'm not touching base on how this is a day late.

Instead, I'll lead into the fact that I'm going supply shopping soon! Hooray! I have found out how to make a slapstick thanks to this handy-dandy site here. I also need supplies for the materials used to make the costumes for the puppets. Also, I am planning to make the crocodile, but I need gloves and two sturdy boards for what is needed.

The Puppet Process

Last week I said that I had started making the puppets. Today, I am going to talk about how I am making them.

So, what I've been doing is using a special type of clay and modeling the heads of the puppets. I make sure not to have any indented features on their faces before I Vaseline them (it is necessary to Vaseline the puppets so that when you paper mache them you can part the paper from the model). The way I paper mache the puppet is that I use wallpaper paste and thick brown paper. The wallpaper paste is stickier and thicker then the normal mix for paper mache. After they have had seven layers (or more) of paper mache put on them, that's when I am allowed to remove them. 

And that's all I've done on the puppets so far.

Also, STILL NO SWAZZLE! But on a lighter note, I found a site to make Mr. Punch's slapstick, and I have finished my version of the Punch and Judy script. It is taking on the traditional plot, including the doctor. I didn't mention him in my last post, and I realized I wanted him in the show, so now that random extra is going to be the doctor.

So far, no panic.

The Past Week

This week, I have written half the script and started making the puppets.

I am planning on making seven puppets, although if I run out of time, I don't have to make one of them. Putting time aside however, I am going to make the puppets Punch, Judy, Constable, Joey the Clown, the Crocodile, the Devil and a Random Puppet only getting one line. And yes, if I have no time, the one-liner has got to go. I am working on Punch at the moment, and Constable's baton. The way I'm making the puppets is by creating a clay model, spreading it with vaseline and covering it with paper mache. I will paint them after I'm done.

The script is doing well, and I have changed some of the words to make it more understandable. Don't worry, I'm not changing much, I promise I'm not butchering the story. In fact, the plot has had nothing changed (that's right, the baby still dies).

But I still have no Swazzle. I will try again to get the Swazzle sorted this next week but if I don't, then I may consider not using one. I really want to though.

School: The Project Begins

Officially, anyway.

So school started today. Woohoo. This means I'm a real senior and this project has started. I'm, of course, already worried about not being able to finish multiple components of the project. Not to worry though, as I am meeting with my advisor on Friday to talk about the project and to check if all the violence of P&J is school-appropriate (I think it'll be fine).

And, unfortunately, I have been unable to find any more sites on crafting a Swazzle. So the site you hopefully saw on my last blog is the only indication on how to make a Swazzle. All the other sites are on using a Swazzle and other people using Swazzle's and some things I heard weren't very encouraging (you aren't a true professional until you've swallowed your Swazzle twice, they say).

I've been thinking about puppets some more, and I found this site showing some. I must decipher the ones that are good for the show and the ones that are too unpolitically-correct.

Still can't start writing the script until I replace my computer.