In PART TWO of his 3-part “How to Build a Hand & Rod Puppet” course series, BJ Guyer (The Muppets, Crank Yankers, Glee) shows you how to flesh out your puppet understructures using a wide variety of foam fabrication, patterning, and sewing techniques -- including creating head shapes, body forms, hands, ears and more!

Intermediate Level

3h 31m of duration

English, Spanish (auto)

Discuss on our Forums

Curriculum

1. Title & Introduction - 1min

2. Student Critique - 19min

3. Internal Arm Structures - 11min

4. Building an Arm Rod - 27min

5. Constructing a Basic Body Shape - 15min

6. Modifying the Body Shape - 11min

7. Building the Body Rings - 28min

8. Constructing a Basic Head Shape - 32min

9. Gluing in the Mouth Plate - 6min

10. Adding a Skull - 6min

11. Making a Neck Sleeve - 13min

12. Attaching the Neck Sleeve to the Head - 7min

13. Covering - 26min

14. Student Critique - 10min

Materials

THIS MATERIALS LIST IS FOR PARTS 1-3 OF BJ'S BUILDING A HAND & ROD PUPPET COURSE SERIES

CLICK on the links below to find the materials you need for this lesson.

Some items might be harder to find, but a little internet scouring usually finds you everything you'll need.

Foam Mart

Robin's Hobby

Joann Fabric (Michaels)

BJ Guyer's Puppet Patterns: If you would like the Patterns that BJ talks about please email info@stanwinstonschool.com with your payment confirmation of the class and we will email them to you.

ALL MATERIALS ARE PER-PUPPET

FOR YOUR WORKSTATION

12" x 12" piece of 1/8" or 3/16" Thick Birch Plywood from Model Airplane Shop

4' of Featherlight Boning

(2) 3' Pieces of 1/2" Dowel Rod

(2) 3/32" Copper Clad Welding Rod - For Puppet Arm Rods

1 Pack of Round Shoelaces

Assorted 12-24 Month Old Children's Clothing for Wardrobe

FABRICS/FOAM

1/2" Reticulated Foam. 24" x 48" Piece (Can substitute Upholstery Foam if not available in your area)

3/4" Reticulated Foam 24"x 36" Piece (Can substitute Upholstery Foam if not available in your area)

10" x 10" Piece of 1/8" or Slightly Thicker Shoe Rubber

10" x 10" Piece of 1/8" Leather. (Smooth on One Side)

1 Sheet of Red Felt, Red Velvet, or Red Ultra Suede.

24" x 24" Piece of Spandex or Similar One Way Stretch Fabric

1.5 - 2 Yards of Fabric for Covering Puppet - Antron Nylon Fleece, Fur, Polar Fleece. ( Would prefer a fabric with at least a one way stretch.)

TOOLS

Scissors

Vinyl or Nitrile Gloves

Dremel or Small Drill - Assorted Drill Bits & Small Drum Sanding Bits

Personna Blades or Razor Blades

Sewing Needles and Thread

Barge or Duall Contact Cement (Can also use Devcon Contact Cement.)

Bandsaw or Small Jigsaw/Coping Saw

SUPPLIES

Small Spool of 18 or 19 Gauge Galvanized Wire

Assorted Feathers

Buttons

Fur

Ping Pong Balls

Plastic spoons

HEALTH/SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When working with toxic and/or dangerous materials or tools:

ALWAYS read labels for appropriate use guidelines

ALWAYS wear a high-grade respirator

ALWAYS work in a well-ventilated area

ALWAYS protect your skin

ALWAYS wear eye protection

Artist BiographyBJ Guyer

World Renowned Puppeteer and Puppet Builder

See Full Bio

Additional Purchasing Options

Notice: DVDs do not include closed captions.

Get FREE Popular Course Content!

Free lessons from 16 of our most popular courses, taught by Hollywood's leading FX artists. Plus our newsletter with new courses, artist stories and special offers.