Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 00:56:21 -0600
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Puppet Collaborations


Okay, so I think I understand the process you are suggesting now.
These may turn out to be some very interesting creatures! I like the
multiple rounds to fine-tune the designs. Also, regarding the choosing
step, I like the idea of opening this step up to the entire group.
Depending on how many participants we have, it may still be nice to
open all the ideas up to the group but if two people want the same
puppet design, first choice goes the the person who did not work on it
in the final round (in order to keep the ego under control and push
people outside of possible comfort zones).

I feel collaboration like this is important because it pushes the
artist outside of normal comfort zones of creativity and reaches
beyond what one person can do alone. Mathieu, your proposed structure
provides a concrete foundation without limiting the possibilities
(actually, it seems to create even more opportunities for creativity).

I am open to the idea of exchanging puppets at the end, but for it may
be nice to use this first collaboration as the experimentation and, if
all goes well, plan on exchanging for the next collaboration in the
future. But I am open to ideas or suggestions from all participants
and am willing to do what the group decides.

Ideally, it would be great to get the puppets together for an actual
performance. Virtual performance maybe somehow? I have no idea how
this would be possible but it would be great if all the puppets
somehow end up fitting into the same reality.

So a decision from the group by Wednesday and from there, what exactly
is the proposed time frame if we go with Mathieu's suggestion?

Branden

On 12/7/08, Mathieu René <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca> wrote:
> >I don't know if I am good enough to collaborate with you, Mathieu!
>  I am not even sure I understand how to do what you suggest.
>  Mary H.
>  -----------------
>
>
>  What's that?
>  Doubts from the team?
>  Oh my, we'd better put them to rest!
>
>  If you want to participate, have basic puppetbuilding skills and are willing
>  to do the work, then you are qualified already.  Also, Puptcrit is an
>  amazing pool of information and resources, so even if you have doubts about
>  the processes, you'll have support, just ask questions. As in every
>  discipline, there are many levels of craftmanship, so I think it will be
>  interesting to see what transpires.
>  Let's see this as an experiment in collaborative creativity rather than a
>  competition of skills.
>
>
>  As for clarity of my suggestion, well, I'll rethink it clearer (I admit to
>  have detected some infiltration of confusion, probably due to my haste in
>  writing it earlier):
>
>  1. Each participant is assigned a number. This number is used to designate
>  the origin of the body part that is to be chosen sight unseen (element of
>  random)
>
>  2. Creating stock body parts. Each participant draws body parts from a list,
>  so that none are forgotten. They can be as fancy or simple as he/she sees
>  fit (within reason, limited time frame to build). Each body part drawing is
>  cleaned up and kept in the same folder on the computer. These are destined
>  for the other participants.
>
>  3. Getting body parts from the others. Each participant, following the list
>  of body parts required, selects a number to designate from what origin each
>  body part (or pair of) will come from (excluding his/her own designated
>  number).  Ex: eyes= 3, nose = 2, mouth = 1 (meaning the eyes come from
>  participant #3, the nose from #2, etc).
>
>  4. Assembling a creature. Each participant creates a character from the
>  gathered body parts. He/she is allowed to change the scale of the parts, and
>  to place them where it relatively makes sense, allowing for mutations
>  (because those are fun!). Color could be avoided in the design part, to
>  allow for yet another random factor, to be decided by the final builder.
>
>  5. Each creature design is given to another participant, so that further
>  work can be done on it.
>  For instance, it could be corrected for a better silhouette, for better
>  impact, for efficiency, for uniqueness, for believable character...
>
>  6. Each design is given to yet another participant, so that it can be built
>  as a puppet of any type chosen, provided it can be reasonably done within
>  the groups's chosen time frame.  This choosing step could be made openly to
>  the entire group, so that participants may choose what design they feel more
>  inspired to build.
>
>  7. Building the puppet!
>
>  8. Showtime! Online gallery showing the results and the process.
>
>
>
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