Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Puppetry/Answer Key"

From Pathfinder Wiki
< AY Honors‎ | PuppetryAY Honors/Puppetry/Answer Key
(post-merge restore)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{otheruses4|cloth hand puppets}}<!-- Before re-adding self-ref link to WP:SOCK, please discuss on talk page -->
+
{{honor_header|2|Unknown|Outreach|South Pacific Division}}
A '''sock puppet''' is a [[puppet]] made from a [[sock]] (or similar garment). When the manipulator fits a hand into the closed end of the sock, the puppet can be seemingly made to "talk". The puppet's mouth is formed by the region between the sock's heel and toe, with the puppeteer's thumb forming a jaw. At a minimum the shape of the hand will instantly form the shape of a mouth, but sometimes the mouth is padded by putting in a fairly hard piece of felt (often with a tongue glued inside).
 
[[Image:Sockcat.jpg|thumb|200px|Sock puppet]]
 
The sock is stretched out fully so that it is long enough to cover the puppeteer's wrist and part of the arm. Often, but not always, the puppeteer will hide behind a stand and raise up his or her hand above the stand so that only the puppet is visible. Many sock puppeteers, however, stand in full view along with their puppets and will hold conversations with their own sock puppets, using [[ventriloquism]].
 
  
==Composition==
+
==1. Make at least one puppet, and make or buy two other puppets.==
 +
Before you make (or buy) your puppets, you should have an idea of what the puppet show is going to be about, and the type of puppets you will use.  It is generally a good idea to write a script first, and then develop the puppets needed for the script.  If you will be performing for a multi-cultural audience, you might consider using animal characters instead of human characters.  People of any race can identify with an animal more easily than they can with a human character belonging to a different race.
  
Sock puppets can be made from socks or [[stocking]]s of any colour. Worn-out socks may be used, although socks that are too tattered may fall apart during performance, but socks are usually bought brand-new from the store in order to make sock puppets. Various additions can be glued on in order to give the sock a personality. Streamers and felt strings are popularly glued on for hair. Buttons are sewn on or [[Googly eyes]] (obtained from craft or fabric stores) are glued on for the puppet's eyes. Sometimes clothes can be added, but this is not frequently seen.
+
There are many types of puppets to choose from, and the choice will depend on the skill of the puppet maker as well as the skill of the puppeteer. Because they are generally easier to build and work with, we will present only four types here: sock puppets, rod puppets, glove puppets, and shadow puppets.
 +
===Sock Puppets===
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:Sockbutterfly.jpg|Butterfly
 +
File:Sockcaterpillar1.jpg|Caterpillar
 +
File:Sockladybug.jpg|Ladybug
 +
File:Sockcat.jpg|Cat
 +
File:Socksnake.jpg|Snake
 +
File:Socksnail.jpg|Snail
 +
File:Socktoad.jpg|Toad
 +
</gallery>
 +
A sock puppet is a puppet made from a sock (or similar garment). When the manipulator fits a hand into the closed end of the sock, the puppet can be seemingly made to "talk". The puppet's mouth is formed by pushing the sock's toe into the puppeteer's palm, with the puppeteer's thumb forming the jaw. The top of the puppet's head is formed by the sock's heel. If desired, felt can be sewn into the sock to stiffen it and form the inside of the mouth.  The sock is stretched out fully so that it is long enough to cover the puppeteer's wrist and part of the arm.  
  
==Uses==
+
Sock puppets can be made from socks or stockings of any colour. Worn-out socks may be used, although socks that are too tattered may fall apart during performance, but socks are usually bought brand-new from the store in order to make sock puppets. Various additions can be glued on in order to give the sock a personality. Streamers and felt strings are popularly glued on for hair. Buttons are sewn on or Googly eyes (obtained from craft or fabric stores) are glued on for the puppet's eyes. Some of the eyes in the gallery above were made by attaching Googly eyes to pom-poms.
Sock puppets are often used for the education and entertainment of children. They can be used in often elaborate puppet shows or children's plays, much as [[marionette]]s would be used. The process of making sock puppets is popularly taught as a creative activity in elementary schools. Many schools teach children to make sock puppets and then have the children put on shows or plays for the whole school with them, sometimes with all the sock puppets singing.
 
  
Sock puppets also appear in children's television shows where they can be used alone on the puppeteer's hand, without a complex stage or show. Two [[orange (colour)|orange]] sock puppets named "Fu" and "Fara" are used in teaching German children how to read.  In the United States, sock puppeteer [[Shari Lewis]] was well known for her television show ''[[Lamb Chop's Play-Along]]'' featuring the sock puppets Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy.
+
===Rod Puppets===
  
Sock puppets have also been used in television programming aimed at adults. The 1990s saw the introduction of the [[Ed the Sock]] character on the [[MuchMusic]] video network, and the ''[[Sifl and Olly]]'' show on the [[MTV]] music network. Both of these were aimed at teenagers and young adults. Sock puppets have also appeared in [[advertising]] geared towards adults. During the late 1990s, the [[ecommerce]] company [[Pets.com]] used a "spokespuppet" in its advertising to much critical acclaim.<ref>[http://www.internetworld.com/magazine.php?inc=121500/12.15.00fastforward2.html Internet World Magazine :: Internet World<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
+
A rod puppet is manipulated with wooden or wire rods. Rod puppets can sometimes have a complete working hinged mouth. Many do not. A rod puppet can have a fixed facial expression. Arms are usually a requirement as rods are attached to them. A fish rod puppet could have a rod attached to the tail to manipulate this section of the puppet. Sometimes special variants exist with additional manipulable parts: (e.g., eyelids that open and close). Many rod puppets depict only the upper half of the character, from the waist up, with the stage covering the missing remainder, but variations sometimes have legs. The legs usually just dangle, but in special cases the legs may be controlled either from behind the stage using rods from below.
 +
===Glove Puppets===
 +
===Shadow Puppets===
  
[[Image:Mick Foley and Socko.jpg|thumb|200px|Pro Wrestler [[Mick Foley]] and his accomplice, Mr. Socko.]]Professional wrestler [[Mick Foley]] has long used a sock puppet by the name of [[Mr. Socko (professional wrestling)|Mr. Socko]] as an aid in his finishing maneuver, a nerve hold called the Mandible Claw (or Socko Claw), which is usually preceded by Foley theatrically pulling the sock from somewhere on his person. On [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]'s [[Raw]] program, this has traditionally been a cue for commentator [[Jerry Lawler]] to complain about "that stinking, sweaty sock!" Mr. Socko has often served as a sidekick for Foley's [[Mankind]] character, having been introduced to the world during a skit on WWE television as a means of "cheering up" WWE owner [[Vince McMahon]], who had just been beaten by nemesis [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]. The sock puppet unexpectedly became a hit with wrestling fans, garnering chants from a crowd of 10,000 plus at the following week's program.
+
==2. Develop at least three puppet characters with their own voices.==
 +
Before you choose a voice for your puppet spend some time deciding what the puppet is going to be like.
  
==References==
+
===Pitch===
{{reflist}}
+
If the puppet is a female or a child, choose a higher-pitched voice.  For a male, choose a lower-pitched voice.  For a large male, make the voice even lower. 
 +
===Accent===
 +
Decide what kind of accent the puppet should have.  Think about where the puppet may have come from.  For instance, if the puppet is a border collie, perhaps it should have a Scottish accent (border collies were originally bred in Scotland).  Other distinctive accents to choose from could include British, Southern U.S., Boston, The Bronx (part of New York City), or even a foreigner speaking English (or other) as a second language.  Listen to people who have such accents (the Internet is filled with videos of people speaking with various accents). 
 +
 
 +
===Habits of Speech===
 +
See if you can think of a ''hook'' word or phrase that your puppet likes to use, and incorporate that into the script.  For instance, a puppet with a Southern accent might say "I reckon," and a teenage puppet would use a lot of teen jargon.  An old lady or old man puppet might speak with a crackly voice and would use antiquated phrases.  Decide whether your puppet speaks proper English or makes heavy use of slang.  All of these things contribute to the puppet's voice.
 +
 
 +
===Practice===
 +
Record yourself speaking in your puppet's voice, and listen to it.  Try out a lot of different voices, and then listen to the recordings.  If you hear something you like, see if you can refine it, again with the recorder running.  Once you think you have something, perform the voice for one of your friends and see what they have to say about it.  More refinements could be suggested.
 +
 
 +
==3. Write three two-to-three minute scripts.==
 +
The hardest part about writing a script is getting a story idea.  You could choose a story from the Bible and either play it as written or adapt it in some way (much the way several VeggieTales movies have a different take on a Bible story).  Another source of ideas would be your AY curriculum.  All of the progressive classes have requirements that can be met by putting on a skit or by role playing.  These can easily be translated into puppet shows.
 +
 
 +
It's OK to work on these scripts as a group, but be sure that everyone participates.
 +
 
 +
==4. Perform to any audience (not family or immediate friends) at least three times.==
 +
Now that you have puppets, voices, and a script, it's time to rehearse your puppet show.  Appoint someone the director of the puppet show.  This person should not have a puppet to operate, but rather, should take charge of the entire operation.  The director will tell the puppeteers what type of expression to use in their voices, and will watch the play as it progresses.  The director's job is to point out any mistakes the puppeteers make so that they can correct them rather than reinforcing them.  The puppeteers need to understand that the director is only trying to improve the play, and they must be open to constructive criticism.
 +
 
 +
Once everyone knows their lines and knows how to move their puppets on the stage, it is time to perform the play.  This can be done during a Pathfinder meeting, as the children's story during church, or even as the sermon (in whole or in part) on Pathfinder Sabbath.  You could also take your show on the road and perform it for school children (though you need to make sure that the school knows the nature of the play - public schools in the U.S. are not allowed to host religious events, and schools in other countries are expressly forbidden to allow evangelism from religions that are not expressly sanctioned by the state.)
 +
 
 +
You could also offer to perform your play at a day care center.
 +
 
 +
==5. Obtain an assessment of each performance by someone not related to the puppeteer.==
 +
The reason for have the assessment done by someone who is not related to the puppeteer is to avoid bias.  Sometimes relatives will tell you you did a great job even if you did not because they do not want to hurt your feelings.
 +
 
 +
It is important to get honest feedback, because that is the only way you will be able to improve.  If possible, video tape the performance and go through it with the puppeteers afterwards, pausing the videos to discuss various points.  The assessor should not only point out the weaknesses and what went wrong, but should also point out the strengths and the things that went right.
  
{{Commons+cat|Sock puppet|Sock puppets}}
+
Try to keep in mind that this honor belongs to the Outreach Series of AY honors, and remember what that implies.  The purpose of learning puppetry in this honor is so that it may be used as an evangelism tool.  Good puppets, good voices, good scripts, and good execution of the play can be a very effective evangelism tool.  Poorly made puppets, boring voices, ill-conceived scripts, and inexpert execution are far less effective.  The audience may lose interest, or start thinking about how awful the presentation.  Rather than the audience getting lost in the message, the message gets lost.
  
 +
==References==
  
[[Category:Puppets]]
+
*[http://www.puppetry.info/puppetry/building/index.html www.puppetry.info]
[[Category:Socks]]
 
[[Category:Stuffed toys]]
 
  
[[ar:دمية جورب]]
+
[[Category:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book|{{SUBPAGENAME}}]]
[[bs:Čaraparko]]
 
[[de:Handpuppe]]
 
[[eo:Gantpupo]]
 
[[hr:Čarapko]]
 
[[ta:காலுறை பொம்மை]]
 
[[nl:Sokpop]]
 
[[ja:ソックパペット]]
 
[[no:Sokkedukke]]
 
[[simple:Sock puppet]]
 

Revision as of 03:14, 25 July 2009

Template:Honor header

1. Make at least one puppet, and make or buy two other puppets.

Before you make (or buy) your puppets, you should have an idea of what the puppet show is going to be about, and the type of puppets you will use. It is generally a good idea to write a script first, and then develop the puppets needed for the script. If you will be performing for a multi-cultural audience, you might consider using animal characters instead of human characters. People of any race can identify with an animal more easily than they can with a human character belonging to a different race.

There are many types of puppets to choose from, and the choice will depend on the skill of the puppet maker as well as the skill of the puppeteer. Because they are generally easier to build and work with, we will present only four types here: sock puppets, rod puppets, glove puppets, and shadow puppets.

Sock Puppets

A sock puppet is a puppet made from a sock (or similar garment). When the manipulator fits a hand into the closed end of the sock, the puppet can be seemingly made to "talk". The puppet's mouth is formed by pushing the sock's toe into the puppeteer's palm, with the puppeteer's thumb forming the jaw. The top of the puppet's head is formed by the sock's heel. If desired, felt can be sewn into the sock to stiffen it and form the inside of the mouth. The sock is stretched out fully so that it is long enough to cover the puppeteer's wrist and part of the arm.

Sock puppets can be made from socks or stockings of any colour. Worn-out socks may be used, although socks that are too tattered may fall apart during performance, but socks are usually bought brand-new from the store in order to make sock puppets. Various additions can be glued on in order to give the sock a personality. Streamers and felt strings are popularly glued on for hair. Buttons are sewn on or Googly eyes (obtained from craft or fabric stores) are glued on for the puppet's eyes. Some of the eyes in the gallery above were made by attaching Googly eyes to pom-poms.

Rod Puppets

A rod puppet is manipulated with wooden or wire rods. Rod puppets can sometimes have a complete working hinged mouth. Many do not. A rod puppet can have a fixed facial expression. Arms are usually a requirement as rods are attached to them. A fish rod puppet could have a rod attached to the tail to manipulate this section of the puppet. Sometimes special variants exist with additional manipulable parts: (e.g., eyelids that open and close). Many rod puppets depict only the upper half of the character, from the waist up, with the stage covering the missing remainder, but variations sometimes have legs. The legs usually just dangle, but in special cases the legs may be controlled either from behind the stage using rods from below.

Glove Puppets

Shadow Puppets

2. Develop at least three puppet characters with their own voices.

Before you choose a voice for your puppet spend some time deciding what the puppet is going to be like.

Pitch

If the puppet is a female or a child, choose a higher-pitched voice. For a male, choose a lower-pitched voice. For a large male, make the voice even lower.

Accent

Decide what kind of accent the puppet should have. Think about where the puppet may have come from. For instance, if the puppet is a border collie, perhaps it should have a Scottish accent (border collies were originally bred in Scotland). Other distinctive accents to choose from could include British, Southern U.S., Boston, The Bronx (part of New York City), or even a foreigner speaking English (or other) as a second language. Listen to people who have such accents (the Internet is filled with videos of people speaking with various accents).

Habits of Speech

See if you can think of a hook word or phrase that your puppet likes to use, and incorporate that into the script. For instance, a puppet with a Southern accent might say "I reckon," and a teenage puppet would use a lot of teen jargon. An old lady or old man puppet might speak with a crackly voice and would use antiquated phrases. Decide whether your puppet speaks proper English or makes heavy use of slang. All of these things contribute to the puppet's voice.

Practice

Record yourself speaking in your puppet's voice, and listen to it. Try out a lot of different voices, and then listen to the recordings. If you hear something you like, see if you can refine it, again with the recorder running. Once you think you have something, perform the voice for one of your friends and see what they have to say about it. More refinements could be suggested.

3. Write three two-to-three minute scripts.

The hardest part about writing a script is getting a story idea. You could choose a story from the Bible and either play it as written or adapt it in some way (much the way several VeggieTales movies have a different take on a Bible story). Another source of ideas would be your AY curriculum. All of the progressive classes have requirements that can be met by putting on a skit or by role playing. These can easily be translated into puppet shows.

It's OK to work on these scripts as a group, but be sure that everyone participates.

4. Perform to any audience (not family or immediate friends) at least three times.

Now that you have puppets, voices, and a script, it's time to rehearse your puppet show. Appoint someone the director of the puppet show. This person should not have a puppet to operate, but rather, should take charge of the entire operation. The director will tell the puppeteers what type of expression to use in their voices, and will watch the play as it progresses. The director's job is to point out any mistakes the puppeteers make so that they can correct them rather than reinforcing them. The puppeteers need to understand that the director is only trying to improve the play, and they must be open to constructive criticism.

Once everyone knows their lines and knows how to move their puppets on the stage, it is time to perform the play. This can be done during a Pathfinder meeting, as the children's story during church, or even as the sermon (in whole or in part) on Pathfinder Sabbath. You could also take your show on the road and perform it for school children (though you need to make sure that the school knows the nature of the play - public schools in the U.S. are not allowed to host religious events, and schools in other countries are expressly forbidden to allow evangelism from religions that are not expressly sanctioned by the state.)

You could also offer to perform your play at a day care center.

5. Obtain an assessment of each performance by someone not related to the puppeteer.

The reason for have the assessment done by someone who is not related to the puppeteer is to avoid bias. Sometimes relatives will tell you you did a great job even if you did not because they do not want to hurt your feelings.

It is important to get honest feedback, because that is the only way you will be able to improve. If possible, video tape the performance and go through it with the puppeteers afterwards, pausing the videos to discuss various points. The assessor should not only point out the weaknesses and what went wrong, but should also point out the strengths and the things that went right.

Try to keep in mind that this honor belongs to the Outreach Series of AY honors, and remember what that implies. The purpose of learning puppetry in this honor is so that it may be used as an evangelism tool. Good puppets, good voices, good scripts, and good execution of the play can be a very effective evangelism tool. Poorly made puppets, boring voices, ill-conceived scripts, and inexpert execution are far less effective. The audience may lose interest, or start thinking about how awful the presentation. Rather than the audience getting lost in the message, the message gets lost.

References