After reading Chapter 4 on characters, write in your blog about a puppet character from Chapter 4 that you found intriguing and explain why. Describe the type and materials from which the character is created and explain what the character's traits are, and what purpose the character is meant to carry out. If you can find some video or other visuals please post them in your blog.
My favorite character in Chapter 4 is the come-apart skeleton. I think it is fascinating and down right amazing that just simple mechanics can make something so intriguing. I couldn't believe that the skeleton could just fall apart and come back together. Unfortunately I can not find any videos or pictures of this puppet, but there is a nice diagram of how it works on page 93 in our textbook.
The come-apart skeleton puppets are marionette puppets with a device that turns the string to make it come apart. By twisting the strings the skeletons bones are put out of place giving the appearance that the skeleton has fallen apart. With a swift of the hand the puppet comes back together and back to life bewildering the audience.
The skeleton character is meant to trick the audience into thinking that it is dead. In reality the skeletons ability to spring back together shows the skeletons immortality even though it is already dead.
Since I couldn't find any videos that were of trick skeletons, I decided to add some of just skeleton marionettes because they are cool! :)
I have a video of a come-apart skeleton! I found your blog while researching how they work (This was built by my father and has been lost)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fbE43ORMwY (the cool stuff start at about 1:35)