Come learn about what it takes to make and produce marionettes for the stage. Whether it's touring shows or theatrical productions, come for the process, stay for the marionettes!
Join the lead puppeteers from Team America World Police to look behind the scenes of films & TV shows where marionettes are the actors! We’ll dive into the 5 W’s and how’s of marionette productions.
Description:
Marionettes are one of the oldest forms of puppetry throughout the world, and for many, they are the first style of puppet we encounter as children. How are marionettes constructed? Are they manipulated differently for film than they are for theatre? Why are marionettes used instead of other styles of puppets? What are the special concerns when working with marionettes on camera? In this discussion, get answers to all these questions and many more. Plus you'll get to see some really cool behind-the-scenes photos! Join puppeteers Greg Ballora and Kristin Charney to take a peek behind the scenes of many productions, both big and small, that have used marionettes. Greg and Kristin create marionettes for filmed media in their Los Angeles-based workshop, and can't wait to share their expertise with you!
Marvelous Medium of Masking Tape: Make a Puppet or Prop
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Come turn your idea for puppets, props, decor and more into 3 dimensions with the marvelous medium of masking tape! Let Matt McGee guide you through the process of bringing your creation to life!
Description:
Props, masks, puppets, decor, and more, find out how this roll of inexpensive sticky stuff can be one material you never want to be without in your art supplies. Learn some tricks and techniques from award-winning master puppet builder Matt McGee on how to turn your ideas into 3 dimensions (regardless of your skill level), using nothing more than masking tape, some other common household materials, and your imagination. Ages 10 and up are a-okay! Matt McGee is an award-winning stage actor, puppet designer, and creator of the 2-time Jim Henson Foundation grant-awarded world premiere play, Under the Sea with Dredgie McGee. Originally raised by puppets in the wilds of Central CA, Matt built his professional career in the Washington, DC area and now works full time at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater as their head puppet builder and Director of Digital Media.
Perception Check: Live Comedy D&D with Felted Friends!
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Perception Check is a live-play comedy TTRPG show featuring Puppet players Chunk, Cucumber, & Brian from Perception Studio!
Description:
The Felted Friends Chunk and Cucumber are here for their second Gen Con and are bringing their comedy D&D show Perception Check with them from Perception Studio, along with their DM Ryan! Featuring Special Guest Sarah Moore from Sarah's Table! Ditch the kids and come laugh with us!
Experience this pretend tea party with your little ones and puppets! You'll drink pretend tea, play real puppet games together, laugh, craft, and singalong as you enjoy the magic of puppetry!
Description:
Grown ups and little ones will have fun together at a real-life-pretend-tea-party thrown for their puppets! (Plush toys allowed, too, we won't discriminate!) Skills Required: sitting, pretending, laughing, playing, wiggling, coloring, sipping, pinkies up, jumping, singing, and playing! One ticket required for *each* person in attendance. Puppets attend for free! Don't have a puppet? That's okay! We'll have a limited supply of puppets for you to borrow while you're in attendance, but it's highly recommended that you bring your own so you won't have to say goodbye at the end of the party! All ages welcome! Come have a lovely farewell party at the last event of the Gen Con Puppetry Program!
Pro puppet builders will discuss the various types of arm-rod construction with methods and benefits of each. (That's the stick that the puppeteer holds to control the hands) Ask questions!
Description:
Wake up, bring your coffee, and start thinking about what kind of arm controls you want.
Join professional puppeteers & voice actors for a snuggly hour of bedtime stories. Come in your PJ's, soft clothes, or cosplay and settle in for a nice wind-down to your busy day.
Description:
Come in your pj's, bring your favorite stuffed animal, blanket, pillow, or lovey, and settle in for a relaxing wind-down from a very busy day of gaming and con-going. Let Stacey Gordon and a special guest soothe you into a sleepier state so you can wake up refreshed and ready for the next morning.
Puppet building pros with seriously great credits will talk about various puppet building techniques, such as the wedge method, flat patterning, sculpting, and more!
The Camera sees everything! Or does it? Let’s take a look at the rigging and building that makes it look like a simple puppet can do it all!
Description:
How do you get a puppet to shoot a basket, ride a bull, play violin or eat a plate of spaghetti? Knowing your camera angles, having a great team, & a clear vision are a good start, but you also may need specialty puppets or props built to solve the problem. Lets look at some of the solutions that we have come up with for TV shows like Crash & Bernstein & commercials for Nike & Eyeglass World. For more than 30 years, Greg & Kristin have been Los Angeles-based puppet builders & performers. They've puppeteered with the Muppets, Henson’s Puppet Up, & Greg was the Puppet Captain on Disney’s Crash & Bernstein. On film, they were lead marionettists for Team America: World Police & part of the core Doc Ock performance crew on Spiderman II.
With an amazing cast of puppet characters & professional puppeteers to boot, you'll not want to miss watching or even participating in Puppet Karaoke. Bring a puppet, let loose & join in on the fun.
Description:
Puppet Karaoke is a relaxed, fun evening where professional puppeteers, newbies, and everyone in between can put on a show together that you won't soon forget. Come to watch, or come to participate. Either way, you'll have a great time. I mean, just imagine a sandwich singing your favorite Hamilton song. Glorious. Some puppets will be provided, however we highly encourage you to bring your own--because GEERRRMSSS! No actual singing required.