Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: wall mtd stuffed fish puppets...?

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Jim_L
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Topic: wall mtd stuffed fish puppets...?
Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:13pm

Anyone have plans for such a thing? I've been wracking my brains (and the net) to come up with a decent way to construct 2 wall mounted fish puppets (about 2.5' long) for my tavern play (see some set construction pics: http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/set.html).

I'm hoping to put a fish on the wall above the fireplace and another behind the bar on the right-side angled wall that will be controlled by actors. These fish will sing along during a song but I can't figure out how to build the darn things!

The few things on the net are simple 'kiddie' designs. I might have to resort to just large fishheads but would rather have a full sideways body and also make the tails flap too (using a stick though the wall.

Suggestions for material? I'm thinking that white plastic 'canvas' stuff for the upper & lower mouth 'plates' and I've no idea for the body material. Something slightly heavier than typical cloth (something almost foamy?) that will hold a shape? I've no idea about such things. I've got a basic dwg/idea on the sites 'tech' page, but that's about it.

All help/advice is appreciated.

-Jim

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MikeO
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Posted: 3/22/07 at 5:21pm

How about starting out with a "Big Mouth Billy Bass" and converting it to your needs?

I'd rather act, but they found out I can do tech & sets!!

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EddyZ
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Posted: 3/22/07 at 8:09pm

Wal-Mart and most craft stores sell thin foam sheets in a variety of colors. I've used it for a variety of things -- PDA cases, lobster claws for a halloween costume, stuff like that. I've used various means over the years to assemble stuff from the foam. Rubber cement works in some cases, applique yarn in its multitude of colors works well, too. The stuff is flexible, but can hold its shape, and it holds up fairly well to abuse.

Here's a rough sketch of a pattern for such a beast:

Keep in mind that the scales are only constructed for the front half of the fishy, since he's going to be mounted on a wall. If you choose to use applique yarn or heavy-duty thread to stitch it together, here's how I've done it in the past. Mind you, I'm sucky with a needle and thread:

Please let us know how your fishies turn out, we'd love to see them!

EddyZ
http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/
www.nailsouptheatre.com/

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Jim_L
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Posted: 3/22/07 at 9:20pm

Mike, I'd be hard pressed to get a hand in a Billy-Bass! The hand has got to go in from the side (if a full fish).

Eddy, is that the same kind of foam that some kiddie block puzzles are made of? Almost rubbery?

btw, we started to work on the bedroom floor and an unexpected (for me) visual problem came up with the set. Due to the height & depth of the upper bedroom 'floor', the front row seats (and quite a few behind) cannot see the lower legs of the actors above... we're going to reinforce the front bedroom span (the 4' overhang) with a huge steel spanning plate. It doesn't look that high from the floor but up above looking down... well, if the 4 girls that are to be up there refuse to be there... I'm in a bit of trouble. I was up there tonight and jumped up and down on it and my 220lbs. barely made the thing move so that's a good sign. But I'm not afraid of heights (I'm afraid of the landing tho'...;>).

http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/

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EddyZ
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Posted: 3/22/07 at 9:46pm

Jim, yeah, that's the stuff. Foam rubber sheets, maybe 1/16 - 1/8 inch thick.

Regarding your sightline issue, if your stage plots are accurate, I see two possible solutions:

1. Cut the roof back about 3 or 4 feet. This should improve the sightline, still look like a roof, and leave your actors with plenty of room.

2. move the *entire* second level back 4 feet to the backwall. You'll improve your sightline and you don't really loose your crossover space behind.

*sigh* Wish I could get four women in my bedroom. Ah well.

EddyZ
http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/
www.nailsouptheatre.com/

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Jim_L
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Posted: 3/23/07 at 12:38pm

EddyZ, I posted 2 more pics at the bottom of the page: http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/set.html

I'd cut the roof back (which is the ceiling of the main tavern room and the floor of the upper bedroom) but that doesn't leave enough space above in the bedroom for 4 girls (it's only 12'x12' plus a bed).

As you can (hopefully) see in the pics, the upper floor is cantelivered and tied into the back wall. That's the only way to get an overhang without additional support posts which would block the actors below.

I picked up a bunch of those 'foam' sheets and will attempt to put together a fish this weekend (stick myself full of holes more likely...)

There's more construction scheduled for this Saturday (day 3) which we hope to get the upper floor done and the stairwell & front door put in.

http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/

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Jim_L
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Posted: 3/24/07 at 7:51pm

Posted some preliminary fish puppet assembly pics here: http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/fish.html

more stage assembly pics here: http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/set2.html

http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/

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EddyZ
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Posted: 3/24/07 at 8:39pm

Good start on the fish!

I still think you should cut the upstairs back some -- 10x12 or 8x12 is more than enough for 4 people and bed. Heck, you can stage entire shows in that little space. ;)

EddyZ
http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/
www.nailsouptheatre.com/

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Jim_L
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Posted: 3/24/07 at 10:03pm

Boy, I wish I was a black box guy at this point!

The director is happy (and god - with a little 'g' - so not to offend...;>) with the platform, so I'm happy... the bed going up there will take up 4x8' so it'll leave just 8x12' of space of which the actors (girls) will not be allowed to go nearer the edge by a foot. So the upper bedroom floor is actually 6x10'... 4 girls - not much space...

We're more concerned now with the 'rear' wall's garden door and the 6 front corner seats (stage right side in the audience) it will block the view of...

As for the fish, a work in progress... I hope that if it turns out ok, that I'll be able to 'magic-marker' it to believable color specs...

http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/

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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup

Author	Message
Jim_L Lead Joined: 6/09/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 34	Topic: wall mtd stuffed fish puppets...? Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:13pm
	Anyone have plans for such a thing? I've been wracking my brains (and the net) to come up with a decent way to construct 2 wall mounted fish puppets (about 2.5' long) for my tavern play (see some set construction pics: http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/set.html). I'm hoping to put a fish on the wall above the fireplace and another behind the bar on the right-side angled wall that will be controlled by actors. These fish will sing along during a song but I can't figure out how to build the darn things! The few things on the net are simple 'kiddie' designs. I might have to resort to just large fishheads but would rather have a full sideways body and also make the tails flap too (using a stick though the wall. Suggestions for material? I'm thinking that white plastic 'canvas' stuff for the upper & lower mouth 'plates' and I've no idea for the body material. Something slightly heavier than typical cloth (something almost foamy?) that will hold a shape? I've no idea about such things. I've got a basic dwg/idea on the sites 'tech' page, but that's about it. All help/advice is appreciated. -Jim

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MikeO Lead Joined: 9/15/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 35	Posted: 3/22/07 at 5:21pm
	How about starting out with a "Big Mouth Billy Bass" and converting it to your needs?
	I'd rather act, but they found out I can do tech & sets!!
	IP Logged

EddyZ Star Joined: 8/21/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 3/22/07 at 8:09pm
	Wal-Mart and most craft stores sell thin foam sheets in a variety of colors. I've used it for a variety of things -- PDA cases, lobster claws for a halloween costume, stuff like that. I've used various means over the years to assemble stuff from the foam. Rubber cement works in some cases, applique yarn in its multitude of colors works well, too. The stuff is flexible, but can hold its shape, and it holds up fairly well to abuse. Here's a rough sketch of a pattern for such a beast: Keep in mind that the scales are only constructed for the front half of the fishy, since he's going to be mounted on a wall. If you choose to use applique yarn or heavy-duty thread to stitch it together, here's how I've done it in the past. Mind you, I'm sucky with a needle and thread: Please let us know how your fishies turn out, we'd love to see them!
	EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ www.nailsouptheatre.com/
	IP Logged

Jim_L Lead Joined: 6/09/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 34	Posted: 3/22/07 at 9:20pm
	Mike, I'd be hard pressed to get a hand in a Billy-Bass! The hand has got to go in from the side (if a full fish). Eddy, is that the same kind of foam that some kiddie block puzzles are made of? Almost rubbery? btw, we started to work on the bedroom floor and an unexpected (for me) visual problem came up with the set. Due to the height & depth of the upper bedroom 'floor', the front row seats (and quite a few behind) cannot see the lower legs of the actors above... we're going to reinforce the front bedroom span (the 4' overhang) with a huge steel spanning plate. It doesn't look that high from the floor but up above looking down... well, if the 4 girls that are to be up there refuse to be there... I'm in a bit of trouble. I was up there tonight and jumped up and down on it and my 220lbs. barely made the thing move so that's a good sign. But I'm not afraid of heights (I'm afraid of the landing tho'...;>).
	http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/
	IP Logged

EddyZ Star Joined: 8/21/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 3/22/07 at 9:46pm
	Jim, yeah, that's the stuff. Foam rubber sheets, maybe 1/16 - 1/8 inch thick. Regarding your sightline issue, if your stage plots are accurate, I see two possible solutions: 1. Cut the roof back about 3 or 4 feet. This should improve the sightline, still look like a roof, and leave your actors with plenty of room. 2. move the entire second level back 4 feet to the backwall. You'll improve your sightline and you don't really loose your crossover space behind. sigh Wish I could get four women in my bedroom. Ah well.
	EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ www.nailsouptheatre.com/
	IP Logged

Jim_L Lead Joined: 6/09/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 34	Posted: 3/23/07 at 12:38pm
	EddyZ, I posted 2 more pics at the bottom of the page: http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/set.html I'd cut the roof back (which is the ceiling of the main tavern room and the floor of the upper bedroom) but that doesn't leave enough space above in the bedroom for 4 girls (it's only 12'x12' plus a bed). As you can (hopefully) see in the pics, the upper floor is cantelivered and tied into the back wall. That's the only way to get an overhang without additional support posts which would block the actors below. I picked up a bunch of those 'foam' sheets and will attempt to put together a fish this weekend (stick myself full of holes more likely...) There's more construction scheduled for this Saturday (day 3) which we hope to get the upper floor done and the stairwell & front door put in.
	http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/
	IP Logged

Jim_L Lead Joined: 6/09/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 34	Posted: 3/24/07 at 7:51pm
	Posted some preliminary fish puppet assembly pics here: http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/fish.html more stage assembly pics here: http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/set2.html
	http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/
	IP Logged

EddyZ Star Joined: 8/21/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 3/24/07 at 8:39pm
	Good start on the fish! I still think you should cut the upstairs back some -- 10x12 or 8x12 is more than enough for 4 people and bed. Heck, you can stage entire shows in that little space. ;)
	EddyZ http://webpages.atlanticbb.net/~ezahurak/ www.nailsouptheatre.com/
	IP Logged

Jim_L Lead Joined: 6/09/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 34	Posted: 3/24/07 at 10:03pm
	Boy, I wish I was a black box guy at this point! The director is happy (and god - with a little 'g' - so not to offend...;>) with the platform, so I'm happy... the bed going up there will take up 4x8' so it'll leave just 8x12' of space of which the actors (girls) will not be allowed to go nearer the edge by a foot. So the upper bedroom floor is actually 6x10'... 4 girls - not much space... We're more concerned now with the 'rear' wall's garden door and the 6 front corner seats (stage right side in the audience) it will block the view of... As for the fish, a work in progress... I hope that if it turns out ok, that I'll be able to 'magic-marker' it to believable color specs...
	http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/
	IP Logged

Topic: wall mtd stuffed fish puppets...?( Topic Closed)