SAMIZDAT SYNDICATE

Unraku Workshop #3

2010-02-15T09:05:00.007-05:00

Workshop # 3 was really mostly prep for Film Day #1 which we had on Saturday.

Here are a few items I thought were worth mentioning about working on puppet sets specifically and film sets in general:

--Stretch. Stretch again. Maybe one more time.

--Try to pre-empt possible disasters. Plan to be prepared for them.

--Your body will be contorted into uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time. It is not glamourous work.

--Bathe and wear deodorant. You never know whose nose will have to be in your armpit to get the required shot.

--Speaking of bathing....a hot shower saved my life when I got home from set. I wasn't even puppeteering very long and my body was exhausted...this brings me to...

--Consider working on building muscle endurance. I am reasonably fit but even so, my muscles were burning by the time we wrapped.

--Drink lots of water. Sure, you may have to get up from the green room couch a bajillion times to pee but at least you will feel refreshed on the day.

Other tactics:

--Bring something to do. Assume you will be spending more time waiting than on set. If that's not the case---bonus!

--If no wrap time is stated, assume you will be there at least 12 hours. If you are sent home earlier---bonus!

--Stay the hell off set if you aren't needed there.

--When you are about to spoon your eyes out from boredom and/or frustration, remember: you're getting paid to do nothing during downtime, so plant some seeds and watch them grow...repeat the mantra: "You're going to reap just what you sow" but but don't say it aloud because....

--You might lean on your walkie button and inform the whole crew and anyone else within ear shot that you have a penchant for proverbs and Lou Reed.

--Bring some extra snacks in case craft services aren't all that.

--Assume everyone in the room knows everyone else in the world and then work backwards. Re: You will look like a complete arse when you are seen jamming your foot into your mouth.

Judge Puppet

2010-02-15T09:02:00.004-05:00

Judge Puppet sentences you to DEATH!

Unraku Workshop #2

2010-02-11T09:12:00.006-05:00

The second workshop has been a little more of the same with some new improv games. The difference this time was that we had to learn how to work in a film set. We first practiced with our hands and "Peepers" (little eyes) and the monitors. We each had to do an action for 10 seconds, 6 times. The actions were called out by one of the facilitators. E.g. "Pilot. Librarian. Rap Star. Exterminator." etc. This was much more difficult than it sounds. It is very hard to think of something and not forget to act with your "puppet" at the same time. Difficult but fun. We also practiced walking into frame (with a little side to side swaying) and also manipulating a rod puppet on screen. Workshop #3 is coming up tonight!

Unraku Workshop # 1

2010-02-04T11:52:00.006-05:00

Hallooo!

The first Unraku workshop was strictly monitor work. First we did an exercise where we tried to use our hands as a puppet and follow a mentor's hand to a certain point on the screen. This isn't easy---the puppet monitors are reversed.....so it goes against your normal hand-eye coordination which, dare I say, is equivalent to learning a new language. The second exercises we did were using our hands as puppets to do an improv monologue on screen. We then partnered up with hand/mouth rod puppets to do the same thing. My partner and I got the topic "the public library". My puppet loved it, my partners puppet hated them....so the puppets talked about their feelings on screen....and hilarity ensued.

Woah!

2010-01-26T19:46:00.002-05:00

My god it's been an eternity since I posted! I'm coming back with a vengeance folks! I will be working with Unraku in Toronto on an upcoming film project! How exciting is that! I will keep you updated with my progress! I begin on February 2nd! Yeah!

More!

2009-08-17T22:23:00.003-04:00

Still in Pjs but animated...

Awaiting Dress

2009-08-17T07:59:00.004-04:00

Sitting pretty, in jammies, awaiting her costume!

Native Grandma in Progress

2009-08-16T09:37:00.005-04:00

Here is another puppet I am working on. I am planning to make her a Native Grandmother/Mother Earth type character. Her head fits in my palm. I intend to make her a traditional Czech style (although not carved) marionette on a wire.

In Progress: Rosenrot and the aptly named Pirate

2009-08-14T22:35:00.010-04:00

Fantastic!

2009-08-11T22:09:00.000-04:00

I met an amazing puppet master today in North York Toronto! His name is Alex Margold.

You can view his work at:

www.amcreatures.etsy.com

I can't wait to meet him again to get some more magical puppet secrets to fill my skill sack! Huzzah!

New Puppet/Puppets Up!

2009-08-10T19:36:00.008-04:00

Just got back from the Puppets Up! Festival in Almonte, On. What a fantastic weekend! Great shows, great puppets!

<---- work in progress!

To follow...

photos of the improved "Guy" marionette

photos from Puppets Up!

No Almonte for the Syndicate

2009-07-30T18:50:00.002-04:00

Unfortunately The Samizdat Syndicate will not be teaching at the Puppets Up! Festival this year due to low enrollment in workshops.

Stephanie will, however be wandering about the festival...maybe she will even invite Dag along for the ride!

DAG--practicing his falsetto.

2009-06-24T14:33:00.007-04:00

"Mawwwww!"

Dag has a gig!

2009-06-02T18:50:00.003-04:00

It has just been confirmed that Dag will be the official greeter at the Ontario Puppetry Association's Day of Puppetry in Mississauga!

The day promises to be fun and very busy!!

Venue: Mississauga Central Library

Time: 10am-2pm

For more information Check out www.onpuppet.ca

From the Archives...

2009-05-22T23:04:00.006-04:00

I forgot the charger for my notebook at the "office"...(BLAST!) so here I am going through old files on the glorified TV (read: quasi obsolete paperweight older computer) and I found this old gem for everyone's viewing pleasure!

The scene:
In September 2005 I moved to Prague, Czech Republic to hang around and pick up some mad puppet skills. I attended a couple workshop intensives on how to design/construct marionettes. I created my version of David Bowie's character "Jareth" from Labyrinth....he is also the first marionette I ever made.

You can find the link on the right hand nav bar or you can go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVmvmbiVaw8

The second workshop I attended is where I made "Peanut" who is a marionette version of myself (mystery solved....it's a GIRL everyone!) She can be seen if you scroll down the blog. For more info on the workshops see www.kidpraha.cz

Enjoy!

Dag Learns How to Ride a Bicycle

2009-05-18T20:43:00.005-04:00

Dag tackles the Raleigh Tarantula with little success.

Dag Performs!-UPDATE

2009-05-16T09:34:00.005-04:00

Dag was a crowd favourite last night at CRAPSHOOT!

Thanks to everyone who came out!

"Mmmmm celebratory black forest!"

News!

2009-05-15T19:49:00.000-04:00

We are currently building a tin can telephone to tell you about our next production...

Please take a gander at the gallery of puppets while you wait!

CRAPSHOOT TOMORROW!

2009-05-14T21:38:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow the Syndicate brings you "DAG - A Missed Connection" as part of Theatre Passe Muraille's CRAPSHOOT! In preparation we have uploaded a rehearsal of the piece on YouTube which can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aos3TdgPit4

*Note* The teddy is a audience stand-in. Much more magic occurs live!

Puppets Up! Festival in Almonte, Ontario!

2009-04-29T23:01:00.003-04:00

I am pleased to announce that I will be teaching a marionette design and construction course at the Puppets Up! Festival in Almonte, Ontario this August!

Full details can be found at

http://puppetsup.ca/

The workshop dates are August 5-7th, 10-4pm.

Dag Performs!

2009-04-12T20:00:00.004-04:00

Our good friend Dag the muppet will be making an appearance at Theatre Passe Muraille's next CRAPSHOOT, May 15th at 10pm!

Dag: A Missed Connection

A passionate yet silly looking man-being boldly recites his poetry concerning a recent missed connection who eventually decides to remain just that....missed.