Minnesota State University Collection

Puppets

Transcript (Download)

Sh! traditional music Of all the ways to make puppet figures, a stick puppet is one of the simplest.

Fasten several sticks together to make the body.

Cut a head out of paper.

And for the face and body, choose from many different types of material.

A body made entirely of paper or cardboard may be painted and then fastened to a stick.

Mix the two mixers to combine.

Try making several costumes for the same figure.

Heavy fabric such as felt can be shaped to make puppet heads.

Start by experimenting with the fabric to see how it folds over the hand.

Cutting into the fabric allows you to shape it better.

The folds are first pinned into place, then sewn or fastened with staples or glue.

Sometimes it is helpful to make a paper pattern before cutting the cloth.

Add ears, eyes, manes, and other features in a variety of ways.

A styrofoam ball can provide the basic shape for a puppet head and many kinds of materials can be glued to the surface to create a puppet character.

Ferry materials offer many possibilities for animal heads.

Puppet heads may be assembled from all kinds of objects.

Even a small box can become a lively character if you use your imagination in finding objects to add for features.

A paper mache head is started by making a neck piece of heavy paper.

A sheet of newspaper is crossed over the head to create a puppet head.

It is crumpled into a ball and tied to the neck piece.

Wheat paste is mixed to the consistency of thick cream.

Then strips of newspaper are coated with the paste and are built up in layers over the paper ball and neck piece.

When five or six layers have been built up, the head is set aside to dry and harden.

When it has hardened, the shape may be changed and refined by adding wads of paper soaked in paste and placing paper strips over them.

Torn pieces of paper toweling are put on last to give the head a finished surface.

The head is then placed on a plate and is placed on a plate.

The head is placed on a plate and is placed on a plate.

The head is placed on a plate and is placed on a plate.

The head is placed on a plate and is placed on a plate.

The head is placed on a plate and is placed on a plate.

The head is placed on a plate and is placed on a plate.

After the head has dried thoroughly, it is painted with tempera.

Here other materials are added to paper mache.

This is ordinary sawdust.

It should be sifted to get rid of any coarse pieces.

Add water until the sawdust feels like wet sand.

When the water is reduced, the paste is added to the paste.

When wheat paste has been added, the sawdust will hold together, making it easier to model.

Shape the head around your index finger.

Pull the features out of the mass rather than adding parts.

While the sawdust is still wet, other materials can be pressed into it.

Rest the head in a nest of newspaper so that it will dry without flattening.

A neck is added by forming a cylinder around the index finger and gluing it into the hole at the base of the head.

Later the costume will be fastened to this.

Before it is painted, the sawdust may be sanded to a smooth surface.

Try experimenting with many kinds of material for hair.

To finish the puppet, a costume is made from cloth.

Measure the width of the costume by placing your spread hand on the folded fabric and make it long enough so that it will come well down over your wrist.

Cut a small opening to fit over the neck.

The costume can be finished by sewing the sides together and adding hands made of cloth or paper.

If you wish to add legs to your puppet, make a complete figure of cloth.

Stuff the legs with cotton and attach this figure inside the costume to the neck and shoulders of the puppet.

Pants and a pair of shoes complete the figure.

Every puppet is a different character.

You may find your own ways of using materials to create the kind of characters you wish to make.

Thank you for watching.

Date Of Production
1967
Abstract
Presents a variety of methods for making puppets, beginning with simple stick puppets and progressing to more technically involved processes including the use of sawdust and glue, shaped cloth, and papier-mâché. Indicates the wide range of materials which may be imaginatively used in fashioning puppet heads and costumes, and emphasizes the importance of individual inventiveness. (WorldCat)
Description
An opening credits frame announces this film as part of ACI's "Rediscovery: An art media series."

The film begins with an image of colorful paper cutouts depicting a garden and sun and a flying bee puppet. The narrator describes how to make stick puppets, the steps illustrated with shots of children's hands. First, attach the sticks together to make the body. Use paper for the head and other materials for the details of the face and body. Paint the paper. The narrator says felt can be used to create materials for the puppet as well. There is a short performance of puppets that were made. The narrator says you can use a box as a puppet if you add all the features needed. There is a puppet made out of a box.

Next, the narrator describes how to create papier mâché puppets. The papier mâché dries, gets painted, and then we see another puppet show with papier mâché puppets. The narrator also says puppets can be made out of fine sawdust. Add water until it feels like wet sand, add some wheat paste, shape the head, and then shape the features. Add the details to the wet dough. Let it dry, and sand the head. Add the hair, and create the costume out of fabric. Glue it to the head. Stuff the costume and attach to the head to create the final character. There is another puppet show with all the puppets made throughout the film.
Format
16mm
Extent
500 feet
Color
Color
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Genre
Educational
Form
Short
Subject
Creativity
Design
Performances
Children
Teaching
Art
Related Collections
Minnesota State University Collection

Distributor
ACI Productions

Main Credits
Stelios Roccos (is director)
Stelios Roccos (is producer)

Additional Credits
Ernest Ziegfeld (is contributor)

Participants And Performers
Mildred Osgood Levor (is performer)

 
Do you know more about this item?
If you have more information about this item please contact us at info@chicagofilmarchives.com.