To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 01:29:54 GMT Subject: [Puptcrit] A Professional Puppeteers Union? Well, a pro union has not manifested itself yet, and maybe never will. The last attempt died on the vine years ago. Part of the problem could be the self-serving aspects of performing unions which often work to keep new faces OUT, and how many years has it been since SAG & AFTRA first figured out that it MIGHT be smart to merge? Depending at one point whether a mass media performance would be shot on film or on tape, that determined under which union the work would be done. Vested interests did not help a merger which would have made more sense. Other union members claimed that puppeteers were NOT ACTORS, but PROP-MEN. PROP-Men wanted to work the puppets (uniformly badly). Now, at least there is a category for puppeteers, but for some it took a lifetime. Will Rogers said something to the effect that Democrats showed poor people could be greedy too. They still have much to learn about the art of greed from Geo. W, Cheney, Rummy, DeLay, Abramoff who talk freedom, liberty, patriotism while robbing the treasury. If you disagree, fine. It will just prolong the disaster. Politics can enter ANY organization. So if you have a "professional puppeteers union" who decides whom is PROFESSIONAL? In the early years of Puppeteers of America, there was an effort to classify certain puppeteers as MASTER PUPPETEERS, and the rest as mere PUPPETEERS. You would not believe how angry that made some people for YEARS. In the 1970s at a national fest, I saw a couple of oldtimers having breakfast together. They used to be (1) a Master Puppeteer and (2) Puppeteer; they used to be mad at each other. Time CAN heal old wounds. When Jim's rule #1 mentioned envy, regarding someone else's success as a blanket indictment, I dont think "one size fits all" or even "one-size fits most, but one size can fit some. I find a lot less envy among puppeteers than among actors and that is one reason I like so many puppeteers. A professional union would have to find a FAIR way to divide the pros from the non-pros, and then fight all the other unions with vested interest for a piece of the pie. FAIRNESS is a great goal, but it can be elusive without great care. ALAN COOK -----Original Message----- From: puptcrit-request-AT-lists.driftline.org Sent: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 12:07:25 -0800 To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Subject: puptcrit Digest, Vol 15, Issue 15 Send puptcrit mailing list submissions to puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to puptcrit-request-AT-lists.driftline.org You can reach the person managing the list at puptcrit-owner-AT-lists.driftline.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of puptcrit digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Puppet Peers - Have to disagree (Mark S. Segal) 2. Re: Show a little back bone (William Hennes) 3. Re: Rubbery Figures (Jamie Ashby) 4. Toronto Toy Theatre show (for adults!) (Jamie Ashby) 5. Re: Puppet Peers (Robert Rogers) 6. Re: Rubbery Figures (BiersBlackwood-AT-aol.com) 7. Re: Rubbery Figures (BiersBlackwood-AT-aol.com) 8. Good vs Bad Puppetry (Jimsan777-AT-aol.com) 9. Re: Good vs Bad Puppetry (Cahebay-AT-aol.com) 10. (no subject) (corenste-AT-hunter.cuny.edu) 11. Re: Primer for Critics (malgosia askanas) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 22:43:44 -0500 From: "Mark S. Segal" <segalpuppets-AT-comcast.net> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Puppet Peers - Have to disagree To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org> Message-ID: <008801c6172a$63dcd540$0302a8c0-AT-MARK01> reply-type=original Jim, I have to disagree with you on these "rules" which I find to be a bit ummmm well strange or bitter are good words. > Rule No. 1: Be it jealousy or envy, the more success a puppeteer has, > the > less likely puppeteer peers will acknowledge it. Have always found professional puppeteers to be very supportive of other professional puppeteers. It seems to me that a great joy is to acknowledge another's artistic success. One of the things that first attracted me to puppetry as a theatre art/decision was just that supportive atmosphere. Festivals are made up of people who enjoy that supportive arena. > Rule No. 2: The most simple puppetry attempts get the most kudos. It is really really hard to be simple. It is something to always work towards, but it is not the only thing. I hope someday to be really simple! > Rule No. 3: Puppeteers seek the lowest common denominator because it > makes > them look good by comparison. This loses me completely. > Rule No. 4: Puppeteers want instant success, but are not willing to put > in > the time and effort to learn skills required. Who would not like instant success, by the way are you talking artistic, financial or both? I have been working as a (full time) puppeteer for close to 30 years and I am still trying to learn. Don't know of too many committed professionals who don't always try and learn or have the doors open to doing so. I actually find this rule to be a bit insulting it is just a too broad generalization. Mark Segal ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 19:57:39 -0800 From: "William Hennes" <williamhennes-AT-charter.net> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Show a little back bone To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org> Message-ID: <000601c6172c$54e19e70$020aa8c0-AT-bif> reply-type=original Thanks Liz. I am doing some visual experimental pieces mixing technology lines and more organic thoughts. These pieces will respond to the viewer. William ----- Original Message ----- From: "Liz Evans" <liz-AT-etherboy.com> To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 5:50 PM Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Show a little back bone > William, > > Very Cool, what is the purpose for the piece? > > Liz > K. Elizabeth Evans, President & Artistic Director > Renaissance Artist Puppet Company > http://www.RenArtPuppetCo.com > 610-630-4259 > Company performing -AT- > The Montgomery County Cultural Center > 208 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA > > Renaissance Artist Puppet Company's > mission is to promote excellence in puppetry as a > Theatrical art form and as an Educational tool by incorporating > historical and cultural diversity along with quality performance > techniques to tell our stories. > _______________________________________________ > List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org > Admin interface: > http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org > Archives: http://www.driftline.org ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 02:20:19 -0500 From: Jamie Ashby <jamie.ashby-AT-utoronto.ca> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Rubbery Figures To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Message-ID: <1137050419.43c6033357eb9-AT-webmail.utoronto.ca> Not to toot the Canadian horn too long, but the Canadian puppet artist Noreen Young, better known for her TV work for young people, was one of the first to employ this type of TV puppetry for political satire. Although most of the over one hundred television productions with which Young has been involved were intended for children, in the 1970s, ?she provided an Ottawa-based satirical program, _What?s New_, with puppet caricatures of Canadian and U.S. political figures, some of which made appearances on national news broadcasts as well? (_Puppetry in Canada: An Art to Enchant_ 149), as Ken McKay, the Canadian puppetry historian, writes, paving the way for Britain?s more famous series, _Spitting Image_ (1984-92). Young adds that her satirical work was not limited to What?s News, as she ?did a few things with CODCO and mainly CBC news specials in the '70s? (qtd. in Elliott, Julia, ?Pulling Strings: After 30 Years, Noreen Young is Still Making Friends.? Ottawa Citizen 6 Aug. 2005: I7.), although by the end of the decade, puppet caricatures had fallen ?out of favour and political correctness was the name of the game in the news department.? FYI, from your resident Canadian puppet nerd. Best, Jamie Ashby PhD Candidate: ?Ideas in Motion: New Work Development at Puppetmongers Theatre Company,? Graduate Centre for Study of Drama, University of Toronto Co-founder, PuppUTopiate: the *only* puppet company at the Univ. of Toronto Quoting Kismet <kismet-AT-bigpond.net.au>: > I know the UK Television had Rubbery figures but did the US? > They were foam latex puppets of political characters that obviously lampooned > the political order of the day...like a political cartoon in the > newspaper.....mostly done on a low low budget they were quick, direct and > lots of fun. > Here is a link that I have just found that discusses the making of and has > LOTS of examples.... like this one.... > http://www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au/flash/flash.php?id=60 > the australians are our long gone prime minister and treasurer! > Have a look at > > http://www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au/rubbery.php > > D. > _______________________________________________ > List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org > Admin interface: > http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org > Archives: http://www.driftline.org > ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 02:42:12 -0500 From: Jamie Ashby <jamie.ashby-AT-utoronto.ca> Subject: [Puptcrit] Toronto Toy Theatre show (for adults!) To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Message-ID: <1137051732.43c608542e6a6-AT-webmail.utoronto.ca> Dear friends, My apologies if I already posted this, but it had an attachment, and I don't remember it appearing in my own inbox, so I'm reposting it. Keep scrolling for all the details, if you are or will be in Toronto this Sun. Take care, Jamie Ashby PhD Candidate: "Ideas in Motion: New Work Development at Puppetmongers Theatre Company," Graduate Centre for Study of Drama, University of Toronto Co-founder, PuppUTopiate: the *only* puppet company at the Univ. of Toronto ***** Hey there folks - While January see-saws its way through our hearts, and cold weather creeps back to give us a taste REAL winter again, here at Cardboard heart Imagination Laboratory our mad scientists are working their butts off to figure out ways to get us through the dark and sometimes cold mid-winter. January 15th is the first instalment of an exciting new series we're cooking up with GirlCanCreate Productions and Reflector Oven Theatre. It's called SPEAK, and it's an afternoon of verbal and visual storytelling. Dan Yashinsky and Ann McDougall will present fabulous, inspiring and adventursome stories to kick the whole thing off, and Noah will be performing a toy-theatre version of THE BOAT FINALLY SAILS ON WATER. An original fairy-tale about adversity, dreams, travel and pelicans, this piece is the first of Cardboard heart's Picture-books for Grown-Ups. THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW (read this part carefully): WHERE IS THIS AMAZING HAPPENING HAPPENING? At Studio 409 in the Case Goods Warehouse at the Distillery. WHEN IS THIS STUPENDOUS EVENT EVENTING? Beginning Sunday, January 15th, from 4pm to 6pm. WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS FANTASTIC FUNCTION? It's 5-10$ at the door; various snacks and tea will be available next door at Studio 408, along with Photography by Melanie Gordon; the Case Goods Warehouse is the building directly behind Balzac's at the southernmost end of the main cobblestone road of the Distillery District; Studio 409 is located on the 4th floor; there is an elevator available for folks in need. This event is for ADULTS who love stories. Stay tuned for a KID-SPECIFIC Speak event. *************************************************************** As we've mentioned before, in this and other email updates, Cardboard heart is working on a couple of picture-books, as part of our new Picture-books for Grown-Ups. The first is called THE BOAT FINALLY SAILS ON WATER, and the second will be THE STORY TREE - part of the Cardboard heart puppet show THE TREES OF MEMORY. If you folks have any publishing advice, let us know! See attached file for a sneak-peek at one of the illustrations for THE BOAT FINALLLY SAILS ON WATER. *************************************************************** Cardboard heart also has a piece in the 28th Annual Rhubarb! Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. The piece is called fur tunes, and is an installation and puppet performance piece about fur and conformity. More about this in upcoming updates. *************************************************************** Keep fighting the happy fight, my friends. Be well and hope to see you soon - Noah I like the chaos and unpredictability of being human. It's a mess; we always get it wrong, but that's something to celebrate as well as weep over. - Jeanette Winterson ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 08:45:22 -0500 From: "Robert Rogers" <robertrogers-AT-frontiernet.net> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Puppet Peers To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org> Message-ID: <002501c6177e$70734b00$73d7d7aa-AT-puppet> reply-type=original > Robert, > > Point taken. Did the critic give the show a good review. > > Liz Yes indeed! ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 09:12:48 EST From: BiersBlackwood-AT-aol.com Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Rubbery Figures To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Message-ID: <60.6508254a.30f7bde0-AT-aol.com> England's Charlotte Charke, an actress who had started out in countless maid roles but whose talent and inclination soon got her cast in showy, funny, cross-dressing roles as swaggering males, also produced, directed, and starred in her own puppet troup featuring marionettes carved to look like famous politicians and public figures of her day (the 1730s). This was a good publicity ploy, but also a brave act once the censor began to take an interest in everything taking place onstage, and made for some REALLY early "Spitting Image"-type satire. For the most part, Charlotte used her expensively carved and costumed figures in comic takes on Shakespearean plays, but also in bawdy shows written by Henry Fielding. Sean K. http://www.puppets.inuk.com/americas/usroundup.htm In a message dated 1/12/06 4:23:48 AM, jamie.ashby-AT-utoronto.ca writes: > Not to toot the Canadian horn too long, but the Canadian puppet artist > Noreen > Young, better known for her TV work for young people, was one of the first > to > employ this type of TV puppetry for political satire. > > Although most of the over one hundred television productions with which > Young > has been involved were intended for children, in the 1970s, ?she provided an > Ottawa-based satirical program, _What?s New_, with puppet caricatures of > Canadian and U.S. political figures, some of which made appearances on > national news broadcasts as well? (_Puppetry in Canada: An Art to Enchant_ > 149), as Ken McKay, the Canadian puppetry historian, writes, paving the way > for Britain?s more famous series, _Spitting Image_ (1984-92). Young adds > that > her satirical work was not limited to What?s News, as she ?did a few things > with CODCO and mainly CBC news specials in the '70s? (qtd. in Elliott, > Julia, > ?Pulling Strings: After 30 Years, Noreen Young is Still Making Friends.? > Ottawa Citizen 6 Aug. 2005: I7.), although by the end of the decade, puppet > caricatures had fallen ?out of favour and political correctness was the name > of the game in the news department.? > > FYI, from your resident Canadian puppet nerd. > > > Best, > > Jamie Ashby > ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 09:19:50 EST From: BiersBlackwood-AT-aol.com Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Rubbery Figures To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Message-ID: <23b.5161f89.30f7bf86-AT-aol.com> We did see the "Spitting Image" puppets here in the US, in specials as well as in at least one MTV video -- I remember the live human host, David Frost, announcing at a gala full of puppet celebrities: "there is so much security here you'd think they were expecting a visit from Roman Polanski," or words to that effect. But there was also, I believe, a Sid & Marty Kroft production called "The DC Follies" which tried to do the same thing "Spitting Image" had done. (Or so I vaguely remember.) Every now and then, a Newt Gingrich or Judge Ito puppet from that television show appears on eBay. There have also been countless caricature-character puppets at cabaret shows over the years, incliding Liza Minelli and Nell Carter, Joan Rivers, etc., etc. Sean K. http://www.puppets.inuk.com/americas/usroundup.htm In a message dated 1/12/06 4:23:20 AM, kismet-AT-bigpond.net.au writes: > I know the UK Television had Rubbery figures but did the US? > They were foam latex puppets of political characters that obviously > lampooned the political order of the day...like a political cartoon in the > newspaper.....mostly done on a low low budget they were quick, direct and lots of fun. > Here is a link that I have just found that discusses the making of and has > LOTS of examples.... like this one.... > http://www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au/flash/flash.php?id=60 > the australians are our long gone prime minister and treasurer! > Have a look at > > http://www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au/rubbery.php > > D. > _______________________________________________ > List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org > Admin interface: > http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org > Archives: http://www.driftline.org > ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 13:03:31 EST From: Jimsan777-AT-aol.com Subject: [Puptcrit] Good vs Bad Puppetry To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Message-ID: <212.1135a12a.30f7f3f3-AT-aol.com> In a message dated 1/12/06 5:50:19, bfall-AT-TOLEDOLIBRARY.ORG writes: > So let me ask this question: > Can a bad puppetry show be better than no puppetry show at all? > > When Bad Puppetry turns an audience against puppetry completely, yes, it's worse than none at all. I've had "presenters" at Arts Conferences tell me they wouldn't book another puppet show because their audiences walked out of the last one! So it ruined it for us all. Many of the public are not sufficiently sophisticated to distinguish good from bad. I'm doubly amazed at hearing this from presnenters. I'm also amazed when people ask for their money back when they don't enjoy a show... hasn't happened to me, thank God. Do they also ask for money back at the cinema or if their sports team loses? To the presenters, I ask, "Have you ever had another show flop, a singer, musical group, theater group, etc? Did you see the puppet group before you booked them?" Musicians, actors, acrobats and puppeteers vary in what they offer in quality and content. Why are all puppeteers gauged by one disappointing show? Yes, Bad puppetry can turn off the public. Jim Gamble ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 13:18:34 EST From: Cahebay-AT-aol.com Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Good vs Bad Puppetry To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Message-ID: <111.5a197076.30f7f77a-AT-aol.com> What is needed is a Union of Professional Puppeteers, you gain entrance from another members recommendation that you fit the professional standards of the Union. Commercial and Educational clients would select from the list knowing they will Receive a performance of the highest caliber. The non members still have other venues available until they reach the pro status to join, No one is left out, non-pro and pro alike all have their venues, no toes are stepped on Regards Mark _ChristianPuppeteer ? Christian Puppeteers International Group_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristianPuppeteer/) ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 13:46:20 -0500 From: corenste-AT-hunter.cuny.edu Subject: [Puptcrit] (no subject) To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Message-ID: <20060112134620.fnip53pqd8b4c0kk-AT-webmail.hunter.cuny.edu> Hi All, I am a Prof. at Hunter College in New York writing on puppetry, and one thing I am hoping to write in the coming months is a kind of primer for the contemporary puppet critic: an article that explores the particular issues and considerations for viewing and evaluating puppetry opposed to live actor theatre. Considering the recent discussion here, it looks like this project that I've had in mind for a while is indeed a good idea. I would love your input. Thanks, feel free to reply directly to me at: corenste-AT-hunter.cuny.edu Claudia Orenstein ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 13:52:17 -0500 (EST) From: "malgosia askanas" <ma-AT-panix.com> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Primer for Critics To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Message-ID: <200601121852.k0CIqHn26720-AT-panix2.panix.com> Claudia Orenstein wrote: > feel free to reply directly to me at: corenste-AT-hunter.cuny.edu Me, I would love it if the replies also went to Puptcrit, and could be woven into further discussion here. -malgosia ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Admin interface: http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org Archives: http://www.driftline.org End of puptcrit Digest, Vol 15, Issue 15 **************************************** _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Admin interface: http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org Archives: http://www.driftline.org
Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005