To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 16:05:39 -0800
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] puppetry peers


Yes, but you could say this is true of any profession.  Good workers, bad 
workers.... Local theater, a Broadway show....

I have seen bad animation, I have seen great animation.  I have seen great 
looking puppets with off timing puppetry.  Great puppetry, with not so 
appealing puppets.  I guess my question is, who sets the standard?  I think 
this a thin rope to walk on.  It is the eye of the viewer, and they 
determine the value to them.  If a puppeteer sells tickets to his show, and 
the viewers enjoy it, but others in the profession my not see his or her as 
professional, and complain.  I think in that instant the customer is the 
validating point.  Validation from ones peers can be very subjective to what 
they think is right compared to their values.   The animation and concepts 
lists are brutal, but I find the honesty refreshing.  How do you get better? 
Hopefully your peers will give to honest feedback on what they may feel it 
takes to get better at what you are doing.

Kids at an early age do not see the difference between a bad 
performance(animation, stage, puppetry, etc.) and a good one.  They define 
it as engaging or non-engaging.  If you become good at marketing, you will 
make the fences and walls that you have to climb smaller.
I believe if you present yourself right, and blow people away with a 
presentation, you show them  what great one can be.  I have done Animation 
for clients just to show them what I can do.  I just finished a piece, pro 
bono, for a company that did not know me.  So I asked them what I could do 
to show them what I could do, my expense.  They gave me the task, I 
completed on time and way beyond their expectations and they used it in 
their production.  They where used to so, so animation. They even asked me 
to do a little more, I did with no problem.  They where very happy and they 
meet their deadline.  Did I get paid, No. But I made an impression and a 
partnership.  And the next week they thought of me first on their next 
project and I got it and got paid for it. I am now doing more work for them. 
Sometimes, you have to prove what you can do to gain trust.

How many would do a free performance to earn that trust?  To build a 
relationship?

My humble opinion,

William

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brett Roberts" <bdr1020-AT-hotmail.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 2:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] puppetry peers


> >So let me ask this question:
>>Can a bad puppetry show be better than no puppetry show at all?
>
> Here's my two cents...
>
> It's sad that there are SO many bad puppet shows around that it no longer
> comes across as an art form. Many people buy a puppet and instantly think
> they are puppeteers. I often tell my wife that there should be a 
> puppeteer's
> license. People should study and practice before they consider themselves
> puppeteers. I'm not putting down churches in general, but there are 
> several
> in my area who are guilty of just wiggling some dolls and calling it a
> puppet show.
>
> This is also true of magicians, clowns and mimes. There are a few 
> performers
> out there who are good... but lots of them are really bad.
>
> So it's our job to get out there and create puppets that are celebrities 
> so
> people see that puppetry can be well done.
>
> Brett
>
> Brett Roberts Productions
> http://dfwentertainer.com
>
> Brett's school and library shows
> http://educationalmagician.com
>

>
>
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