marks639 Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 Hi all, I am looking for some plan to help build a puppet style dragon that can move with the use of rope or wire rope. The idea is similar to the one used in wicked only rather than above the stage it would be on it. Open to any suggestions as this is not my area of expertise. Any idea regarding joining fixings to provide easy movement (multi-directional) would be a great help. Jay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 How big and what colour? A friend has a 2/3 man backpack puppet dragon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrjammy83 Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 I have a contact for a puppet designer and maker she is independent and would love the challenge Have sent you a PM Where are you based by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marks639 Posted October 29, 2010 Author Share Posted October 29, 2010 Nottinghamshire, Cheers great suggestions but I should have mentioned this is something for a show with no budget (that has not already been allocated.) some of you might say know change there then. I have planed to make it solo with a little help from some volunteers. (only with the cost of raw materials) In an ideal world it would have as little human input as possible. it is more the control and the best ways of moving its wings, neck and head/mouth that are the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_s Posted October 29, 2010 Share Posted October 29, 2010 For general information about large puppetry and operating techniques, a book called "Engineers of the Imagination - the Welfare State Handbook" by Coult and Kershaw is quite interesting. It's probably out of print, but libraries or second hand shops could be worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 In an ideal world it would have as little human input as possible. it is more the control and the best ways of moving its wings, neck and head/mouth that are the issue.As I recall the dragon in Wicked is entirely a manual movement by talent/techs up behind the prosc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_s Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 depending on how precisely the movements need to be controlled, there are various ways of introducing automatic movement, for instance using bungee chord / elastic to atttach wings to body so they bounce if the body is moved up and down, extending neck further back into torso to counterbalance the head and create a "nodding dog" effect. Withies are good for making light but strong structures, and can be bought quite cheaply mail-order: from sites like this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrjammy83 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Nottinghamshire, Cheers great suggestions but I should have mentioned this is something for a show with no budget (that has not already been allocated.) some of you might say know change there then. I have planed to make it solo with a little help from some volunteers. (only with the cost of raw materials) In an ideal world it would have as little human input as possible. it is more the control and the best ways of moving its wings, neck and head/mouth that are the issue. Send me your contact details and I'll get my other half. (the puppet designer) to get in touch She does a lot of work in derby and nottingham so will gladly give you a hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamhawk13 Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 hiya, I was just wondering if anyone would know where I could obtain a dragon backpack?one thats not a cute childs backpack though just a dragon (prefereably slightly fierce looking) that could be worn and used on a day to day basis? thanks for any info/advice, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossmck Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 As I recall the dragon in Wicked is entirely a manual movement by talent/techs up behind the prosc... Indeed it is... and, somewhat off-topic, one of the single most impressive props I've seen :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubbs Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Always think about the weight of the puppet as what might seem light on a first feel after half an hour soon becomes dangerous if a body is having to counter balance to take the strain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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