Puppetry basics how to#

Puppetry basics how to#

K5: Understand how to minimise waste when using materials to comply with the organisation’s sustainability policy K4: nderstand the costs associated with different materials, where they’re sourced from and how these are selected to meet budget requirements K3: Know how to operate as a freelance puppet maker which may include project management, utilising online platforms, networking

K2: Have awareness of the types and scales of organisation that commission, use and/or apply puppetry K1: Understand the history of puppet making and performance including the contexts and cultures within which they have been used and how audiences engage and empathise with puppets, along with the different types of puppet used through the ages such as string puppets, glove puppets, shadow puppets and muppet-style puppets They must meet minimum Health and Safety requirements associated with puppet making, including how to keep oneself and team members safe, in line with company policies.Īlongside the design and manufacture of puppets, APMs must also have awareness of the performance of puppets for live and recorded productions, and as such must have knowledge of creative performance principles to ensure puppets can be animated in line with performance scripts. This may include the application and use of traditional strings, robotics or digital programming.ĪPMs must be confident in the use and maintenance of hand and machine tools and materials relevant to their puppetry setting(s) such as those outlined above.

They must understand the required movement of puppets depending on the performance, and apply design and build methods to ensure said requirements can be met.

APMs must understand the best application and likely lifespan of different materials and be confident making puppets from a range of materials such as paper, wood, papier mache, foam, wire, metal, rubber, acrylic and soft materials. They must know how to undertake basic repairs to puppets and choose appropriate materials for manufacture to aid their preservation.ĪPMs must know how to design basic puppets suitable to the performance/production using appropriate technical drawing methods, and must be able to manufacture puppets to their own or others’ designs, selecting the most suitable materials for the conditions the puppet will be used in, for example: weather tolerant if used for outdoor performances, of sturdy structure if used for immersive/audience interactive performances, or resistant to heat and light damage if used in close proximity to theatre lighting. They are responsible for contributing to the care of their puppets, including how they are handled, stored, transported and used during a performance/production. They may work for a single Senior Puppet Maker or as part of a wider technical and performance team led by a Creative Director. Assistant puppet maker Details of standard Occupation summaryĪssistant Puppet Makers (APM) support the design, manufacture (making) and performance of puppets for theatre, film, TV, carnival, animation, applied puppetry and outdoor arts.