Have you ever noticed (we don’t know how you could help it) how many puppets you see during a performance that have legs turning every which way when they are seated on a puppet stand?
With the exception of a very few Vents who have made this leg “dexterity” part of their act, it is mostly a disturbing attention thief during a show. When a puppets legs go crazy on stage, it distracts your attention from what the Vent is wanting you to be paying attention to. It can give the impression that the Vent is not very good at his/her craft when their puppet is out of control.
Traditionally, puppet legs on “human” style puppets have always just been attached to the lower outsides of the body cavity. This makes the problem really the fault of the puppet instead of the vent, but the vent always gets blamed for it.
In the last year, JET has been working on a solution to the problem and has now figured how to stop the run-a-way leg syndrome. She takes a solid rod and attaches it across the bottom of the body cavity.
Once that is firmly mounted and in place, the legs are now mounted firmly on the entire width of the rod in such a way that they can no longer twist and turn like a scarecrow blowing in the wind. Problem solved. Now about 90% of the time the puppets legs are completely behaved unless some other force causes them to do what they used to do.
We are always looking for things to make our puppets better so that you can concentrate on the things that make your performance stand out from everyone else.
Steve and JET
this is great I like this a lot ! do you have any literature on how to make a knee pal, thanks,
Jerry
Sounds good. I have also used clear fishing line to loosely tie the shoes together. Looking forward to seeing everyone again at #VENThaven2016
You puppets are awesome. Love them. However, I have a very tight budget. I have made a few puppets and lately convert stuffed animals I find at thrift stores and rummage sales. Anyway, I just take a safety pin and pin the legs together.
Oh, I think these tips are great! You have so many good ideas. Thanks for taking the time to write them.
Hi Steve
Can you get this for a puppet already produced. I have this problem with Simon. Also our dollar is getting better and reconsidering the frog puppet.
What a great Idea !!!!!!!!!!