Puppet101

Puppet Stage 4.0

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:21:00 +0000

The new stage was different from any other because of the trunks. I worked with a representative from Encore Cases to design trunks based on our specific needs. I measured the inside of my car, and the dimensions of our previous stage to determine the size of the trunks. We came up with a design that called for one wheeled trunk and one non-wheeled trunk. For easy load in, the non-wheeled trunk would sit on the wheeled trunk.

The new trunks had two holes in the lid, and corresponding couplings inside. The fiberglass poles could slip into the holes and rest snugly in the coupling. The stage would be built from this sturdy vertical support. As in the previous stage the front and back were made from wooden curtain rods joined with PVC. The top sides were made from PVC which was lighter than the electrical conduit. The curtain was attached with velcro and then wrapped around the poles.

As an added benefit, these new trunks and painter poles gave us such a stable base that we used this design principle to make a larger school stage, and a smaller one trunk stage.

While we are still looking for ways to improv our set up, This new stage currently meets all of our requirements: It’s light weight, easy to unload, quick to set up, sturdy, and versatile.

Puppet Show Trunks 2.0

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:35:00 +0000

After years of experience we knew we needed a stage that was light weight, easy to unload, quick to set up, and trunks that were large and professional. We talked to different puppeteers, and got their recommendation - something I really appreciate about the puppet community is it’s willingness to share. Puppeteer Scott Land gave us two suggestions that led to our current stage. He recommend using fiberglass painter poles for the vertical support, and Encore Cases for custom trunks.

Puppet Show Trunks

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:06:00 +0000

How the you transport a puppet show is almost as important as the stage itself. The trunks you use give the client and the audience an impression of your skill and professionalism. When we first started out, we to packed our puppets in a card board box. When that broke we upgraded to plastic wheeled tubs.

The wheeled plastic tubs worked well enough, but they didn’t look professional, and they were too small to hold everything. At each show we would unload the trunks from the car, strap the stages pieces to the top of one trunk, strap the sound equipment to the top of the other trunk, and roll into the venue like The Grapes of Wrath. On various occasions the trunk wheels would break, or get caught on a door jam, and the stage would slip off. We needed a solution that would solve our trunk and stage problem.

Puppet Stage 3.0

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:47:00 +0000

We tried a PVC stage and a wood frame stage but we needed something better. As we designed our next stage, we addressed the short comings of our previous stages. The new stage would have to be sturdy, light weight, easy to set up, and take up less space.

The stage that came next was pretty good, and it lasted a long time. The whole thing was built on a hinged 2X4 frame that sat on the ground. The vertical poles were made from PVC (keeping in mind our first PVC stage, these poles were connected together with a bungy cord, like a tent pole). The play board and back support were made from wooden curtain rods, so they wouldn’t sag like PVC. The rods were connected with a PVC joint. The sides were made from metal electrical conduit - sturdy, but heavy.

This stage worked nicely, but after a couple of years, it began to break down. The real weakness was the wooden base. Eventually, the large wooden pegs that secured the vertical PVC poles began to break, the hinges on the wooden base came unscrewed, and the front and side 2X4s were no longer sitting squarely on the ground. The stage became very wobbly, and unstable.

The final blow for one stage came during our extended run at the Los Angles Zoo. Anita and a member of the zoo staff attempted to move the stage for a special event, and the whole base twisted and broke. We managed to tape it up for the rest of the run, but it forever lilted to one side. It was time for another puppet stage.

Swazzle Tour Ending

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:00:00 +0000

After nearly 150 puppet shows, the 2008 Swazzle summer tour is drawing to a close. We are entering into our final two weeks, and this may be your last chance to see Space Bugs Alpha and Zeta, The Magical Misadventures of Walnut the Wizard, and Bugsy Brown Private Fly. If you still haven't seen our new productions, please visit our online schedule to find a show near you.

Frame Puppet Stage

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:40:00 +0000

After using PVC pipe to make a puppet stage, we wanted to something sturdier, and easier to set up. A couple of puppeteers in the San Francisco Bay Area Puppeteers Guild were using frame stages, so we gave it a try.

The frame stage was made from redwood panels that hinged and latched together. It was easy to set up, stable, and worked great for a while. With repeated use however some of the corners came undone, and we had to re-wood glue and staple them. Eventually, we added plywood corners to the frames, which made them stronger and heaver. The major drawback was this stage was its substantial foot print when it wasn’t set up - it took up a lot of space. On top of that, the hinged together wooden frames were cumbersome and brittle, and if we dropped the stack accidentally they would break.

Towards the end, the hinges came apart, the latches broke, and the screws were loose - the only thing holding it together was the curtain. Once we stared brining wood glue, staples and screws to each show, we new it was time for a new stage.

My First PVC Puppet Stage

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:45:00 +0000

My brother and I first started performing puppet shows professionally after attending the 1993 Puppeteers of America National Festival in San Francisco. We worked under the name The Johnson Brothers Puppets, and our first puppet show was The Wizard of Oz.

One of our early public performances was at the San Francisco Bay Area Puppeteers Guild annual Day of Puppetry in Children’s Fairyland, Oakland. At this event, Patrick and I debuted our brand new puppet stage. It was made from PVC pipe, and based on a design published in the puppetry festival hand book.

All of the pipes were measured and cut based on the specifications, and placed in a sturdy fabric sack. When show time rolled around, Patrick and I dumped out the poles and realized that we had insufficiently labeled them. We were faced with a pile of about twenty or so nearly identical white PVC pipes that could be assembled any number of ways - it looked like an over sized version of Pick Up Sticks.

It took a long time, but we managed to piece the stage together. After that show, we marked each pipe and connector with spray paint - red with a yellow dot, green with a red dot, etc. It was still complicated.

After doing a fair number of shows, we got pretty fast at setting up the stage - especially considering it’s complexity. That stage served us well, but we were ready to move on to something more streamlined and structurally sound.

Henson.com Podcast

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:12:00 +0000

Patrick Johnson, Patrick Bristow and I were interviewed for the June 16 edition of the Henson.com Podcast - Check it out. As a reminder, Puppet Up is playing at the Avalon in Hollywood this Saturday. Click here for more info.

Space Bugs now Playing

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Space Bugs Alpha and Zeta are now touring Southern California. This is a rehearsal photo of Bobby Drone and Professor Mantis in the cockpit of Bobby Drone's space ship. If you are in Southern California, check out our tour schedule to see when Swazzle's Space Bugs is coming to your area.

Swazzle Seeking Intern

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:05:00 +0000

Tour with Swazzle! Get valuable behind the scenes experience in Live Puppetry!

This individual would be needed for each scheduled performance in the Bay Area from June to August. The complete schedule is available at swazzle.com

A small stipend is included. For more information, please contact anita@swazzle.com

Magma Worm

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Sat, 24 May 2008 00:38:00 +0000

I just finished this puppet for Space Bugs Zeta. The Magma Worm was sculpted from a block of soft foam and covered with dyed miliskin. His eye balls are clear acrylic half spheres painted in the inside.

Starfly

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:51:00 +0000

This is Starfly built by Patrick Johnson for the Swazzle puppet show Space Bugs Alpha. He is a delivery fly that awakes after oversleeping in hyper-sleep to discover that he is carrying some very important cargo.

Bobby Drone

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:57:00 +0000

This is Bobby Drone built by Patrick Johnson. He is a hand and rod puppet. In Space Bugs Zeta, Bobby Drone is sent on an important mission by the Queen Bee.

Space Bugs

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:21:00 +0000

We are making progress on our Space Bugs puppet shows. This is Busby (his name may change) the scientist. He is a hand puppet - the puppeteers fingers go into each arm and the neck. His hands and and antennas are attached with springs so he has lots of secondary movement.

Finished Robo-Locust

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Sun, 04 May 2008 01:29:00 +0000

I just finished the two Robo-Locust rod puppets for Space Bugs Alpha and Zeta - check it out.

Sprout Sharing Show

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:37:00 +0000

Check out The Sprout Sharing Show that premiers on PBS’s Sprout Monday May 5th. Working for the Chiodo Brothers, Patrick and I made all of the puppets, backgrounds, props and stage for the show. The puppets were all made from felt and they were designed to have a simplistic hand made quality. The Sprout Sharing show showcases drawings, photos, videos and more sent in by young viewers. Click here to see the puppets in action.

Robo-Locusts

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:45:00 +0000

I used the foam mock up to create all of the patterns needed for the Robo-Locust puppets. The head and body shapes are made from L-200. The L-200 is light weight and sturdy and it will give the puppets an armored look. The eyes will be made from acrylic half spheres.

Space Bugs

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:45:00 +0000

Here at Swazzle we are hard at work building two new summer puppet shows: Space Bugs Alpha and Zeta. The scripts are being written by Dylan Campbell, and are nearly complete. Both shows take place in the distant future. Devestating Robo-Locusts have swept through the Universe devouring everything in their site.

This is a mock up of the Robo-Locust's head. The final puppet will be a rod puppet built in L-200.

Puppet Arms

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:14:00 +0000

This past week Patrick and I have been busy building puppets for our new school assembly puppet show - The Swazzle Workshop Live. We will be presenting a seven minute sample of the show at this year's Orange County Performing Arts Center Performer's Showcase. The Swazzle Workshop Live is a live show based on Swazzle's popular web series The Swazzle Workshop. During the show students will learn team work and cooperation through the art of puppetry. The Swazzle Workshop Live was created with a grant from The Puppeteers of America in partnership with The Orange County Performing Arts Center's Arts Teach Program.

Another Update

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:26:00 +0000

In my last post I said that I was going to be doing a series on stages. I still plan on doing that, but I got delayed because over the past few weeks Patrick and I have been working at Jim Henson's Creature Shop on a top secret project for Kanye West. Since I was 13 years old I wanted to work at the Jim Henson Company and Jim Henson's Creature Shop so this was a dream come true. I can't tell you anymore about the project right now. For more information click here and here to see some photos from Kanye West's blog.

Also Forgetting Sarah Marshall opens April 18. It's getting really good reviews, and I'm really excited to see it.

Big Update

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:02:00 +0000

I realize that I have been neglecting my blog for a while. Thank you all for your pacitence I wanted to give you all an update on some of the projects I've been working on.

Right now Swazzle is booking summer puppet shows at libraries all over California. Down in Southern California we have over 130 bookings - it's going to be a busy three months. This summer the theme is bugs so we'll be touring Bugys Brown Private Fly in Northern California and Space Bugs: Alpha and Zeta down south. We're working out the scripts now, we should start designing and building the puppets very soon. Along with the bug shows, we are also writing a puppet show for L.A. City Libraries called The Magical Misadventures of Walnut the Wizard.

Swazzle has also been working on the creation of a new school show called, The Swazzle Workshop Live. This new show will be showcased in May, and it will make it's debut this coming school year. The Swazzle Workshop Live was created in partnership with The Orange County Performing Arts Center with a grant from The Puppeteers of America.

Swazzle's new preschool puppet show Forest Fables debuted a while back, and it has been very well received. This show also doubles as a birthday party puppet show - a new market for us.

Our Spanish puppet show Aventuras Saludables continues to play at large events all over Southern California.

Aside from Swazzle news, I've been keeping busy with many exciting puppet projects. Patrick and I just built a series of puppets for Sprout (PBS's network for preschoolers). I'm not sure when they'll be making their debut - so keep an eye out. Patrick and I also did more Sendables for Jib Jab. The Valentine's Day one has already debuted - more are coming soon. The film I puppeteered on, Forgetting Sarah Marshall comes out soon. This was my first film role, and I was working with Jim Henson's Creature Shop - a dream come true (the movie is rated R so leave the kids at home). Fianly, I continue to be involved with the Henson Company's puppet improv show Puppet Up. For the last couple of months Patrick and I have been teaching puppet technique at the Jim Henson Company - another dream come true.

That's it for the update - thank you for letting me share. Keep tuned in to Puppet 101 because I have some excited posts planned. First up, I'll be sharing information about puppet stages. Over our years of live performance, we have been through every type of stage: PVC, wood frame etc. Finally, I feel like we have hit on a stage that is study, flexible, quick to assemble, and portable.

I hope you all tune in for that.

Thank you to all of my readers. I hope you find this blog helpful and inspirational. If you have any questions about puppet building please drop me an email - sean@swazzle.com and I'll try my best to answer them.

SaveXmasNow Podcast Episode 8

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:30:00 +0000

In the final episode of the SaveXmasNow Podcast we talk with Ronald Snow, the congressman leading the government's regulation of Christmas. Time is running out - Do something at SaveXmasNow.com! Click here to watch all of the episodes in order.

SaveXmasNow Podcast Episode 7

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:21:00 +0000

In Episode 7 of the SaveXmasNow Podcast we talk to members of the greater holiday community. Do something at SaveXmasNow.com!

SaveXmasNow Podcast Episode 6

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:27:00 +0000

In Episode 6 of the SaveXmasNow Podcast Jack-O-Lantern discusses the larger ramifications of the government's war on Christmas. Do something at SaveXmasNow.com!

SaveXmasNow Podcast Episode 5

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Johnson) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:31:00 +0000

In Episode 5 of the SaveXmasNow Podcast we talk to out of work reindeer.