For one night only we will have a live performance of Boxcar Fair, November 5th, Atlanta GA.
More details here .
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Video Project with Little Tybee - Phase 6 - The Elephant
The last of the major marionettes for our video project.
Since the Anglerfish turned out to be so labor intensive, (nothing I do is ever easy), I decided to use a different method when building the elephant. I knew I wanted it lightweight, and after experimenting with some tape and paint finishes on styrofoam, I knew foam was the way to go. I chose aluminum tape, the kind they seal ducts with, and applied it in strips, papier mâché style.
Click on the images for a larger view.
Sculpting the foam - I used two kinds because that's what I had on hand, and the pink stuff worked better for the legs and trunk.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfpO78JqKiynqH0UZDe3KUbc0DIGtorc-XRw1Yo7-Fbhf0dLPcFsympPPNNya1NotqmkmxgBhvFHDWOYnYAe-_f7yEiKIAjJigPJmAhn1cU_sn5M2Wf3gRb69HsSKmB2WuReKJpDYx8E/s400/Ele+1.jpg)
The head and articulated trunk pieces.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVdpAmIyZfNhUzlx3nGmN7ixIr6ETKAkrAMKNOSw3OweLeY_RS9-E8PRTmMN2SdXRr_b42BrBEQDRKPMdOzi-4j9UC3HYYo__Y7sX6vSJ9UvLVUGfJYM6yeim5g2H6aajrKvJplykx6A/s400/Ele+3.jpg)
The legs covered with the aluminum tape - so shiny!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMTRBzwCojQfukNsAzuz-EIqzpunM3RWULaLcOz7SlCGb6ys7qYEOVMUpbSG70z8in-xjrH55FD2xshY-GdAXMiWbgYRAOeNlodNtLcW3I78WLJ-O3VE6EWB1wYHW31f5HC0c97d2654/s400/Legs.jpg)
Close up of the tape pieces.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX0ugJQ6PnqPrvr9SjpaBPl5IAQoFVptFW-uh274FbPU2Ygl0N6TvK6z2Dke9wTKD7GZB-lnTHkRx11tZym5Omk4QoX69m-qTAQUuEiWur8eP3darOuHTonxvFCOWJA_xserFIX12fgc/s400/Ele+4.jpg)
The head and trunk; after aging with raw umber paint mixed with gel medium.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtd7k8vrcY4goTq-ap7fqvhg8W_pnDS5Y8LWs1Bst24rLps8gywpWSClqrzkJGQMqZp_lvI49vsgcArl2O-KJoGu26i4HgUUwNiTJixMkLKDPg_3SFOS1XWxrTY3sPK5KJBpfT9eWJ0E/s400/Ele+6.jpg)
The pieces aged; drying. You can see my test piece in the upper right hand corner.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCV6uqxCbCAQtXYscQNG8AukQT2TBKmU-FG4zM4JU34IKLNgDpabcCy78j2BHrKdIS3ZEVLuGYTLhyg3t0idKYeuVWRnJuyn0NBXyR-S_Lx-cLuE4aZaC0LOSNyYO4MhsUmMIBX2PFxFI/s400/Ele+5.jpg)
The underneath, showing the axles for the legs.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsmopmEcftn8wMGkIKvqJ5vO-LLEFsLPRBoNFjL-d3gTZKTTr958IrdMGpFg7_PXXDO-YPc8Hvgrf7om0Ak9Mz4HxW8VFliTPdv_-Rqu-Cwl64iZVnsaLN-rrc4446WYMz0INTAb_E30/s400/Ele+7.jpg)
All put together. I added the ears and eyes last. And next I will add all the strings.
The elephant turned out to be more of a baby elephant, which was much better for the scale we're working in, and a smaller elephant was the perfect size when paired with our Wanderer.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0x3eGzuSheOgSXxJkfyym8mZqhaDZeRs7vmA9ck_eGCI7e-FSmKl0rMy6ubhmYO54gpFGFXXzwJ4bEUVr1iNJ1srEqiRleZyj2vjczeXA1IURDmHVsrm1I5Y81_Em6MOL4eRFZYtCFI/s400/Ele+8.jpg)
The "backpack" or howdah, though technically a howdah is for people and not necessarily luggage, which will be the case here.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aRye3rPOE8wKeQkCXb2vJJy54ZtL641qNHn6M8O20239AmElq6orK8nTLA8SS4fa15jTDYzCCdF43KXC55J8k9kBQBLZhie90gcjMx1b1i77vT6bXm0IMPife_klSVzwSWq4xVtg2RM/s400/Ele+9.jpg)
The jhool, or textile covering adds cushioning to the howdah. And looks great.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0qY1s0-NmF9sB9FIngVTFDbpp0wTUZF9c3T58ChyiMLcsmYrx2cK9v7ccdcnFe4WyZvUMvvCXu69y2Jz6-XI8deUnElX84q4xSzO9hmuMPsp1h0j4U7D0O_DPPJ0_T85Fdsr_mzGqGE/s400/Ele+10.jpg)
It was suggested by Brock, my collaborator, to add some things dangling on each side and I thought, "why not just pack the elephant full of things, as if going on a journey?" I really like the idea that this may be the beginning of a journey for our characters.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Vq-j7EReFT83-Q7C3nfL3yjLL5VsnWMCRCoroZuM_eSpQDrC8hmvaitW5jJhBICqGg1xvhACVzakLZpvgOqgR7k7PqttE4u_9flFTKOfQHrCTSpir9y7v10FVTGE1Fx7DSy1pt1Vekk/s400/Pack+4.jpg)
As you can see, our elephant is outfitted with many accoutrements - all packed up for the journey.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k_TC2DHMqtcLaZIx5goDchjrffQ5RONhU7AMiQyZNr0vRZWg_6rKAfGhRD4S2QSlkKoOz6KSZhIOdXhnH4LOIFN1HjKWNiPrpgMd7TrOpx16hLrsQH4nY-1GcBj9RL0wy3rnpEVmavk/s400/Pack+5.jpg)
More details. I really like this shot.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJ7nc-yp2choptj1QSCMLKhXow_2F0PO8R3wPQh1AMFr_AvtWqcEBbVtGd9R9yaaGd2RI-ZCUlpebnnRF8ENaekmyZ8flBS4x7j-_W9MtO47Kmxcx3Ch9CvkY-Hdh9GyXsrMjYytqh2w/s400/Pack+6.jpg)
A front view showing the sehri, or forehead covering. I decided to have the trunk strung up underneath and not controlled by the puppeteer - though it does sway from side to side.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYio13ctU-ZGwkDzSG8yPdZhkDeG_U0FFlC8wAyi43ytb1wpccpvgyYZDjdPcVdYMFyBPlZZo38X3TfQeyRu3hlKt1oBtW8CzTgWvtgdQbMxm-pxAxuYQlqvTm8s4wMy9GS2_9K2A378/s400/Pack+3.jpg)
More details, which I think add a lot to the feeling of the piece.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n8ubiDeNfKTWCKF7T7OPGXpkvIVlQiADTGLtVwWM1_bTZVKpXTW27JG74tuZueVSYpTxggr7EOC7p8aIePOc83taGI3iLvfeg0mpvl51o2BWfwkpL4N2RqqcraPLTU82ByfjGOCftUQ/s400/Pack+2.jpg)
Close up of the luggage etc.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OBHvgUw1-XKu2nHVEeVbfKVYl8R9siQKEx9hDbAftvnsYWiHZ9QMCR8qqWYl52I2VJSIwbxcKCjoe6tmzbwM6v1Lo0VY0Fg1XTFP6skI04MNEe7RQKmogN6wo6qBe-2nSXMnwxdfTCs/s400/Pack+1.jpg)
Now onto the small mouse, and all the other props - especially those in the Fortune Teller's tent. And the tents. And the signs. And, and, and..........
Since the Anglerfish turned out to be so labor intensive, (nothing I do is ever easy), I decided to use a different method when building the elephant. I knew I wanted it lightweight, and after experimenting with some tape and paint finishes on styrofoam, I knew foam was the way to go. I chose aluminum tape, the kind they seal ducts with, and applied it in strips, papier mâché style.
Click on the images for a larger view.
Sculpting the foam - I used two kinds because that's what I had on hand, and the pink stuff worked better for the legs and trunk.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfpO78JqKiynqH0UZDe3KUbc0DIGtorc-XRw1Yo7-Fbhf0dLPcFsympPPNNya1NotqmkmxgBhvFHDWOYnYAe-_f7yEiKIAjJigPJmAhn1cU_sn5M2Wf3gRb69HsSKmB2WuReKJpDYx8E/s400/Ele+1.jpg)
The head and articulated trunk pieces.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVdpAmIyZfNhUzlx3nGmN7ixIr6ETKAkrAMKNOSw3OweLeY_RS9-E8PRTmMN2SdXRr_b42BrBEQDRKPMdOzi-4j9UC3HYYo__Y7sX6vSJ9UvLVUGfJYM6yeim5g2H6aajrKvJplykx6A/s400/Ele+3.jpg)
The legs covered with the aluminum tape - so shiny!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMTRBzwCojQfukNsAzuz-EIqzpunM3RWULaLcOz7SlCGb6ys7qYEOVMUpbSG70z8in-xjrH55FD2xshY-GdAXMiWbgYRAOeNlodNtLcW3I78WLJ-O3VE6EWB1wYHW31f5HC0c97d2654/s400/Legs.jpg)
Close up of the tape pieces.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX0ugJQ6PnqPrvr9SjpaBPl5IAQoFVptFW-uh274FbPU2Ygl0N6TvK6z2Dke9wTKD7GZB-lnTHkRx11tZym5Omk4QoX69m-qTAQUuEiWur8eP3darOuHTonxvFCOWJA_xserFIX12fgc/s400/Ele+4.jpg)
The head and trunk; after aging with raw umber paint mixed with gel medium.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtd7k8vrcY4goTq-ap7fqvhg8W_pnDS5Y8LWs1Bst24rLps8gywpWSClqrzkJGQMqZp_lvI49vsgcArl2O-KJoGu26i4HgUUwNiTJixMkLKDPg_3SFOS1XWxrTY3sPK5KJBpfT9eWJ0E/s400/Ele+6.jpg)
The pieces aged; drying. You can see my test piece in the upper right hand corner.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCV6uqxCbCAQtXYscQNG8AukQT2TBKmU-FG4zM4JU34IKLNgDpabcCy78j2BHrKdIS3ZEVLuGYTLhyg3t0idKYeuVWRnJuyn0NBXyR-S_Lx-cLuE4aZaC0LOSNyYO4MhsUmMIBX2PFxFI/s400/Ele+5.jpg)
The underneath, showing the axles for the legs.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsmopmEcftn8wMGkIKvqJ5vO-LLEFsLPRBoNFjL-d3gTZKTTr958IrdMGpFg7_PXXDO-YPc8Hvgrf7om0Ak9Mz4HxW8VFliTPdv_-Rqu-Cwl64iZVnsaLN-rrc4446WYMz0INTAb_E30/s400/Ele+7.jpg)
All put together. I added the ears and eyes last. And next I will add all the strings.
The elephant turned out to be more of a baby elephant, which was much better for the scale we're working in, and a smaller elephant was the perfect size when paired with our Wanderer.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0x3eGzuSheOgSXxJkfyym8mZqhaDZeRs7vmA9ck_eGCI7e-FSmKl0rMy6ubhmYO54gpFGFXXzwJ4bEUVr1iNJ1srEqiRleZyj2vjczeXA1IURDmHVsrm1I5Y81_Em6MOL4eRFZYtCFI/s400/Ele+8.jpg)
The "backpack" or howdah, though technically a howdah is for people and not necessarily luggage, which will be the case here.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aRye3rPOE8wKeQkCXb2vJJy54ZtL641qNHn6M8O20239AmElq6orK8nTLA8SS4fa15jTDYzCCdF43KXC55J8k9kBQBLZhie90gcjMx1b1i77vT6bXm0IMPife_klSVzwSWq4xVtg2RM/s400/Ele+9.jpg)
The jhool, or textile covering adds cushioning to the howdah. And looks great.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0qY1s0-NmF9sB9FIngVTFDbpp0wTUZF9c3T58ChyiMLcsmYrx2cK9v7ccdcnFe4WyZvUMvvCXu69y2Jz6-XI8deUnElX84q4xSzO9hmuMPsp1h0j4U7D0O_DPPJ0_T85Fdsr_mzGqGE/s400/Ele+10.jpg)
It was suggested by Brock, my collaborator, to add some things dangling on each side and I thought, "why not just pack the elephant full of things, as if going on a journey?" I really like the idea that this may be the beginning of a journey for our characters.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Vq-j7EReFT83-Q7C3nfL3yjLL5VsnWMCRCoroZuM_eSpQDrC8hmvaitW5jJhBICqGg1xvhACVzakLZpvgOqgR7k7PqttE4u_9flFTKOfQHrCTSpir9y7v10FVTGE1Fx7DSy1pt1Vekk/s400/Pack+4.jpg)
As you can see, our elephant is outfitted with many accoutrements - all packed up for the journey.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k_TC2DHMqtcLaZIx5goDchjrffQ5RONhU7AMiQyZNr0vRZWg_6rKAfGhRD4S2QSlkKoOz6KSZhIOdXhnH4LOIFN1HjKWNiPrpgMd7TrOpx16hLrsQH4nY-1GcBj9RL0wy3rnpEVmavk/s400/Pack+5.jpg)
More details. I really like this shot.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJ7nc-yp2choptj1QSCMLKhXow_2F0PO8R3wPQh1AMFr_AvtWqcEBbVtGd9R9yaaGd2RI-ZCUlpebnnRF8ENaekmyZ8flBS4x7j-_W9MtO47Kmxcx3Ch9CvkY-Hdh9GyXsrMjYytqh2w/s400/Pack+6.jpg)
A front view showing the sehri, or forehead covering. I decided to have the trunk strung up underneath and not controlled by the puppeteer - though it does sway from side to side.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYio13ctU-ZGwkDzSG8yPdZhkDeG_U0FFlC8wAyi43ytb1wpccpvgyYZDjdPcVdYMFyBPlZZo38X3TfQeyRu3hlKt1oBtW8CzTgWvtgdQbMxm-pxAxuYQlqvTm8s4wMy9GS2_9K2A378/s400/Pack+3.jpg)
More details, which I think add a lot to the feeling of the piece.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n8ubiDeNfKTWCKF7T7OPGXpkvIVlQiADTGLtVwWM1_bTZVKpXTW27JG74tuZueVSYpTxggr7EOC7p8aIePOc83taGI3iLvfeg0mpvl51o2BWfwkpL4N2RqqcraPLTU82ByfjGOCftUQ/s400/Pack+2.jpg)
Close up of the luggage etc.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OBHvgUw1-XKu2nHVEeVbfKVYl8R9siQKEx9hDbAftvnsYWiHZ9QMCR8qqWYl52I2VJSIwbxcKCjoe6tmzbwM6v1Lo0VY0Fg1XTFP6skI04MNEe7RQKmogN6wo6qBe-2nSXMnwxdfTCs/s400/Pack+1.jpg)
Now onto the small mouse, and all the other props - especially those in the Fortune Teller's tent. And the tents. And the signs. And, and, and..........
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