PUPPETS AND PERFORMING OBJECTS

ITP FALL 2011

SIA LABOOS SUE DENSE REE SAUCES

PUPPETS & PERFORMING OBJECTS Mondays 6:30 - 9:00pm Instructor: Ithai Benjamin Email: ithaib@nyu.edu Office hours: Wednesday, Thursday 6:30 - 8:00pm, by appointment Class website: http://itp.nyu.edu/~ib534/papo/ - I’ll be posting a lot of info here as we go along, so check in regularly. While grocery shopping, have you ever wanted to talk to a cucumber? Make out with a red radish or pet a pizza? You can. Following the idea that puppets are "any performing object" and that objects can be useful as stand-ins for human beings, this class explores anthropomorphism, character development, narrative and performance. Through weekly assignments and a final project, we will bring life to objects that we create, transform or find. Drawing inspiration from different styles of mainstream and experimental puppetry we will develop original concepts of our own. Exercises explore a range of technologies and materials, from simple sock and finger puppets to body puppets and animatronics. We’ll spend time looking at how to successfully integrate interactive elements from other realms such as sound, physical interfaces, etc. into our performances. At the end of the class we will put on a show! While performance or puppetry skills are not required, students must experiment and come up with creative solutions to class assignments. Grading is based on successful completion of all assignments, class participation and attendance. Don’t miss a class. Every week I’ll be adding links to the syllabus and class website. Creative and alternative solutions to homework assignments are welcome. Class 1: Monday, September 12th Sock Puppet Challenge Introductions Overview of Course (scale of work, expectations) A short history of puppetry and object performance presentation Demonstration/Discussion: Hand and Glove puppets Materials, tools, techniques and resources Sewing, carving, gluing, sculpting, painting, squishing, baking, garbage scouring Homework Assignment Create a Glove puppet. Give it a name and a voice. Think about where it comes from and what’s unique about it. Is it ugly? pretty? mad? sad? stupid? genius? do you love it? Prepare a two minute performance with partner (we’ll discuss this) Take a picture of your puppet Watch “The World of Jim Henson” and the other videos on HERE Hand out PAPOPIP (Puppets and Performing Objects Personal Inspiration Packet) Plan Field Trip! Museum of Moving Image Exhibition Class 2: Monday, September 19th Review and critique Hand puppets and performances Presentation on character development and storytelling Carving Extreme Sports Discussion/Demonstration: Hand Puppets Part II Limbs Patterns and Templates Mutants and Hybrids Homework Assignment: Create a Hand Puppet - Make something AWFUL and UNUSUAL - super ugly, disgusting, disturbing, exaggerate all your puppets features and expressions - something unexpected. Prepare your personal puppet presentation (we’ll discuss this) Take a picture of your puppet Listen - Glow in the dark Cats Watch weekly videos posted on HERE Class 3: Monday, September 26th Review and critique Hand puppets and performances Special Guest Puppeteer Eric Wright Demonstration/Discussion: Rod Puppets and Marionettes Armatures, Mechanisms, transferring/translating motion, Materials, tools, techniques and resources Homework Assignment Watch Video Series 4 HERE Make an object or rod puppet that employs at least one mechanism - Mouth open/close, Eyes or Head up/down, or something not humanlike at all. Experiment with translating motion from one point to another and making joints. Work with raw and hard materials. Don't worry too much about whether your creation is entirely functional - you're making an experimental art object. It can be wack. Or make a Marionette Take a picture of your creation Listen to: A Clockwork Miracle on RadioLab Class 4: Monday, October 3th Review and critique Mechanisms/Marionettes/Rod Puppets/Objects Demonstration/Discussion: Cable Control techniques Push-Pull, Pull-Pull systems, Springs, Joints Materials, tools, techniques and resources The Power of Music JAM SESSION - PAPOMAT Homework Assignment Create an invisible performance (we'll discuss this) Begin thinking about and planning your final project and be prepared to discuss in class (ideas for puppets, stories, sets, props, etc...) Send me a song/music video you really love Complete the two drawing and one gluing assignments in your PAPOPIP book. Bring in for next class. Watch weekly videos on HERE Class 5: Monday, October 17th Review and critique Invisible Performances Share ideas, designs, drawings, story ideas for Final Show Presentation on Robotics and Animatronics Demonstration/Discussion: Radio Control, Motor Controllers, Software Different ways of controlling robotic puppets Eye mechanisms Skins and skeletons, concealing the insides Materials, tools, techniques and resources Homework Assignment Continue planning, writing, developing and building your final project. Be prepared to present in class Complete the two drawing and one gluing assignments in your PAPOPIP book. Bring in for next class to present. Do not come in without this. Gather and bring in as many materials as you can from the junk shelf or any other materials you have and want to experiment with. Bring in Arduinos, motor controllers, servos, wires, kinects, wii's, cables, power supplies, voice chips, etc... Watch weekly videos on HERE Class 6: MondayOctober 24th Workshop Time Part I - Final show brainstorm and critique Workshop Part II - Material Aerobic Collective Art Puppet Project Homework Assignment Work on Final Project. Bring everything you’ve got to class to present and perform Watch weekly videos on HERE Class 7: Monday, October 31th Present Final Projects till perfection Guest Critics Celebration Party Snacks T-shirts Photo Shoot Confetti Dry Ice Nutella Chicken with Confetti Vegetable Dip Treasure S'mores Dinosaur Poo Latex Create invitation for Final Show Show Time! Friday November 4th @ 5pm Present and perform our creations to everyone