LJ Idol Season 9 Week 5 Building a Better Mouse Trap

[puppetmaker]

I am a puppet builder. I have studied puppet building with a number of other builders and puppeteers. I have learned all kinds of ways to make puppets and their mechanism. I have books, drawings, notes, patterns, and the like all about making various forms of puppets. I have worked very hard for this knowledge.

When I started I didn’t really know anyone in puppetry and there were only a few books at the local library that I checked out as much as anyone would let me. From a couple of photos and drawing I learned the beginnings of puppet building. I searched for these books in various libraries and used book stores. I lucked into decent copies of Bil Baird’s Art of Puppetry and David Currell’s Complete Book of Puppetry.

These were great if I wanted to build marionettes or shadow puppets but I wanted to build soft hand and rod puppets and that was harder to discover.

Eventually I did meet other puppeteers and some showed me how they did what they do. Others kept their knowledge like a dragon hoards a golden trinket. People who could have save me months/years of experimentation with just teaching me a short cut or trick, wouldn’t do it. They were tighter lipped than just about every magician I have known. They had learned this super secret knowledge but didn't care to share.

I didn't like that. I thought it was rather crass and detrimental to puppetry as a whole. So I decided that I would be willing to share what I learned to anyone who wanted to know. I would give my better mousetrap out to the public and see if someone could take that and create one better.

Since then I have taught a lot of people the “secrets” to building puppets. I have shown people the patterns I use and the methods I apply to the problems of building a puppet.

I have been chided for doing so by some puppeteers. Their thought process is that if someone else knows how you do it then they are going to rip you off or sell it as their own idea to a toy company and make millions (OK not millions but some serious money). That someone will make it better and then your skill is not as unique and you might not be able to sell your puppets.

Well my puppets are going to look like my puppets because everyone’s style is a little different. The way I do the eyes is different than many peoples. How I do other parts of the build to allow the puppet to be a working puppet not an object d’art. Over the years I have learned to look at puppets and connect them either to their maker or their puppet lineage.

Also, as in doll making, there are only so many ways to make an arm. There are only so many ways to attach rods to puppets arms. There are only so many ways to make a mouth. People (re)discover how to do these things all the time.

What has changed is the materials available to do these things. Glues have gotten better. You can buy foam and fleece more easily. The Internet has made it easier to find those materials that you like to use to make puppets.

I am more than willing to teach others how I build my puppets. I hope that they take that knowledge and make their own. I also hope that down the road they teach someone else what I taught them so we have another generation of puppet builders and creature makers. I have been shown puppets people have done from tricks I taught them and it makes me feel good that I helped that person realize a dream for them to build a puppet.

It is knowledge to be shared and encouraged so that every time someone wants to start building puppets, they don't have to start at the beginning. They know how to assemble a good mousetrap so now they have the skills to make a better one.

Comments

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

I think you make a really good point here. How we will ever advance if we don't share our knowledge and encourage others to build on it?

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

That is what I can't parse.

[readinggeek451]

What the puppet builders (and other artists) who won't share their techniques for fear of being copied are saying is that they are all technique and no spark, no creativity, no artistry. They wouldn't like to hear it put that way, it might not even be true, but that's what they're saying. And the world is the worse for it.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

I agree.

[finding_helena]

Yeah, that.

[x-disturbed-x.livejournal.com]

I don't like the idea of them not wanting to share their ideas. How are people ever supposed to learn or grow if they keep it to themselves?

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

And that is the crux of the problem

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

It's like science - if you don't give others a foundation, you'll rarely get someone who can build the next set of steps that you might still be alive to climb someday.

[adoptedwriter.livejournal.com]

Shared knowledge should happen without all this competition and back biting. I see this problem in many jobs, including teaching. Too bad because I feel most ppl have a lot to offer. So many feel afraid to share lest their ways be criticized or rejected or even stolen.
AW

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

I really appreciate your philosophy here, and think it makes a lot of sense. Great entry :)

[kagomeshuko.livejournal.com]

Puppet making sounds interesting. I don't know if it is for me, but it does sound interesting.

[i-will-not-say.livejournal.com]

I like your philosophy in this entry. Sharing knowledge is good! :)

[millysdaughter.livejournal.com]

I enjoy making dolls, but have never tried building puppets because I do not have the skills to operate one that is already complete. There is a knack, a gift, a trick -- call it what you will, but there is an art to operating a puppet and bringing it to life.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Ultimately it's never the mechanics that get people interested, it's the style that is brought to it. Or at least that's how it seems to me... from Shari Lewis to Jim Henson, yes, there are ways of improving the craft but it was the personality they injected into their work that made them who they were and made us want to be a part of their world.

Thanks for sharing... and thanks for sharing!

[ryl.livejournal.com]

I've never understood people who hold on to their knowledge like a dragon sitting on a hoard of gold. Eventually someone will figure out how it's done and they will tell others. What's the use of keeping it a big secret until then?

[dagonell.livejournal.com]

I do most of my puppeteering in the SCA (www.sca.org) Very recently, I was asked to teach a class on puppetry IN ANOTHER STATE! I accepted and will be teaching it in June. I'm not by any means an expert, but I'm going to show people how to start.
-- Dagonell

[kajel.livejournal.com]

Others kept their knowledge like a dragon hoards a golden trinket.

It's sad that some people believe that sharing knowledge will dilute the artistry of an individual. Nicely done.

[eska818.livejournal.com]

I think the mentality you're describing says a lot about people, and it's a bit sad. Good on you for wanting to spread your knowledge and help others. :)

[lilmissmagic71.livejournal.com]

A generous philosophy, indeed. Also enjoyed the piece as something I had not previously considered brought to light... nice work! :)

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

Loved your generosity..:) Glad that there are people like you around..keep up the good work!

[mamas-minion.livejournal.com]

You should share your knowledge instead of hording it, I am glad you have shared your knowledge with others.

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

I wonder what the likelihood is of _any_ of these people ever making big money, to the point where they have to be so miserly about basic information?

I prefer your attitude!

[lawchicky.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're trying to help others!

[catwomon.livejournal.com]

It's good that you have the attitude you do about sharing your skill. This is a frustration I have with the computer folk sometimes. They talk to you as if everything is a big secret and they will only, grudgingly give you the little piece you need. When they do give this piece to you, they do it in computer speak and you need to understand, because they do not suffer "fools" gladly. Good for you to spread your craft.

[ljidolvillian.livejournal.com]

Sharing knowledge is the key to advancing art. I am an actor and I am willing to help anyone even if they might compete with me for roles at some point.

Course I mostly work for free so your ethos is even more awesome.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I really just want no one to go through all the hoops I went through to be able to build puppets. It is, in some ways, a dying art form so the more the merrier.

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

I *LOVE* telling/showing people shortcuts or easier ways to do things. Especially something that seems really difficult but if you know the trick is truly simple.

While I understand wanting to avoid being taken advantage of, I really don't get people hoarding "secrets".

[uncawes.livejournal.com]

You're an artiste with your puppetry. those who won't ahare are soulless, only in it for the money. Like so many in other walks of life, they're afraid of sharing because they think it diminishes them in some way rather than enriching them by amplifying their skills.
It's like writers in some sense. There are those who willingly share their tips and tricks because they believe the more people who write well, the more people will read. And there are those who are miserly and take their craft to the grave. They still live forever through their work, but their work stagnates.
OK, I'll get off my soapbox now.
Good take on the topic, and thanks for writing a thought provoking piece.