PoJo


An off the shelf puppet joint, the hex nut is the diameter of a number two pencil eraser.

I stopped at Osh Hardware today and found a much better selection of tiny brass things to fashion the po'man's ball joint. This idea can be found in several key places on our particular trail, LIO's tutorial page (http://www.stopmotionworks.com/index.html) for one, had a scanned article of it I believe. Forgive me for not naming all the fine folks I nabbed this from. The sources on this have blurred, but I thank you for it.

For this configuration I used the tiniest bits I could find, without having to resort to a specialty jewelry supplier:

4/40 brass machine screw nuts
4/40x1/4 brass machine pan head-phillips screws
11/16 brass screw eyes
No. 6 nylon flat washers

I grabbed a size 57 high speed steel drill bit for my hand drill (shown) to pre-drill pilot holes in the dowel bones.

So, the idea is very interesting. It's simple, inexpensive, easy to construct in required sizes. I'd have to work an armature up and see how it works to be sure. I'm thinking of it for perhaps a smaller role, a supporting character in Halfland. It'll be fun to use different techniques and methods throughout the cast.

Comments

  1. Yes, one of the things I love about stopmo is the unbelievable array of techniques at our disposal, in all aspects...SO MUCH to explore (have I mentioned overwhelming?)...I like that you're thinking about different techniques for different puppets, I think it will add a layer of complexity to the films, make each puppet's behavior unique unto itself...everythings looking great...
    by the way, do you have any of your non-stopmo work posted anywhere? I'd love to see some of your theatre work...

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  2. Thanks, Jeffery, That's a great point I hadn't thought of, the different armatures will lend different movement to various types of characters. Right on!

    Overwhelm, yep, mine's a little different I think, the puppet making doesn't phase me, that's fun, but the parts I don't know yet get me, animation performance, camera technique, sound syncing, and the length of time needed to craft everything. That's what grips me at times. I shake it off, focus on today's small step. After a million times of that, I'll be halfway through.

    I worked on just three theater pieces in New York strictly because because they were for Julie Taymor and I worshiped her genius. It was life changing, duh. I handmade scrapbooks of behind the scenes photos I took during all three, travels to Italy and exotic wilds of Brooklyn for her productions. I've got some great stories. None of that is posted anywhere out of respect for Julie's ownership of her art. But if you came over, I could give you dinner and an earful.

    My work since New York has been computer graphic design of print campaigns, book covers, identities, etc. I've been very low key about it, without having to court a project for the last few years. No site for graphics either. But if for some reason you wanted to see my work, I'd be glad to post a few so you get the idea.

    The overview really is that while I'm good at innovative, creative designing with paper for a client, it takes FORE-frickin-ever for me to deliver a finished brilliant design. I'm slightly distracted by, oh, I don't know...either my health limitations or... S-T-O-P M-O-T-I-O-N!!!!!

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  3. Of course I'd like to see some of your graphic design work! Dinner and an earful sounds wonderful also, more incentive for me to get off my butt and follow my dreams to Hollywood :) Its just such a difficult decision to make, the concept of leaving the home I've known all my life is completely terrifying to me. My wife on the other hand has been to L.A. and would pack up tomorrow in the blink of an eye if I said "Lets go!"...think I might have to go have my tea leaves read, a bit of metaphysical guidance (there's a beautiful little place in the Quarter called Bottom of the Cup Tea Room)...

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  4. Hi Jeffery! I understand your hesitation over leaving your home, especially one you love so much. Like I said earlier, if you do feel a major move would be best for you and your wife, why not do some reconnaissance first. Come out and see the city for yourself. I'll be glad to give you two a tour.

    re; graphics: stand by for a quick portfolio review...somewhere {*;-)}

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  5. For Jeffery, I posted some graphic samples, as it were...

    http://flickr.com/photos/thestriderstopmotionpatrolofjoy/

    Thanks for asking, Jeffery

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  6. The Julie Taymor work looks amazing, I can see why you are so drawn to her! And I love "Haunting Choir" (I think thats the name, the print is kind of small)...very cool stuff, thanks again for posting!

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  7. Thanks, Jeffery, yes, Haunting Choir. It's got that atmospheric, smudgy layered thang that we both like so much. Did you click on "all sizes"? it enlarges images a bit. Cheers! s

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