The Human Puppet

Well, usually a puppet is played by a person. But you know what, it doesn't always happen that way.
A famous ventriloquist from UK could show you how it really worked. Her name was Nina Conti.
Yup! She's an English actress that also did ventriloquism. Not just the ordinary one, but the awesome one!

Here's a clip that shows how Nina asked one of her audience to be her puppet. She put a kind of mask on  the volunteer's face. The mask's shape resembled a human cartooned-face, and she controlled the movement of the lower jaw with a kind of button connected to the mask. Perhaps it's more like pumping air through the hose right away to the lower jaw. This was so awesome since Nina successfully managed to synchronize the jaw's movement, the button operation and her voice. It's like the volunteer spoke for himself, responding every single sentence Nina gave him.

What made it so funny was that the volunteer just couldn't resist everything Nina said. She kept talking and talking, while it seemed like the guy didn't have a chance to defy her. Hahahaha...LoL!

So, check this out!

Meet new friends!

Last week, we had a chance to do a show in a mall. This mall is located about 20 km east of Jakarta, in Cikarang, a small town known for its industrial area. The mall held a series of events, with the theme : "My Happy Family".
So, not only did we do a puppet show, we also did some interactive games with the audiences. It was good to find out that some kids were very excited about the show and the games. Hey, it's like having fun with some new friends...!

Here's a short clip about the show, and some pictures too....check them out!

Aku Gembira

"Aku Gembira" means I'm Happy...

Yup..that is one of some theme songs performed in a DVD titled "Aku Berharga" (I am Precious). This is the DVD that contains a Christian Educational program for kids, including children songs, Bible stories, Sunday School activities, Bible illustrations, etc.

In this video, the song was performed by one of my close friends, who shared an interest in music ministry. In fact, we have been together in a band, doing ministries in music. The song is simple, yet it has a very sweet lyrics.

I shared this video because the song was performed together with a puppet show. So check this link out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el4aaARToT4&feature=youtu.be

PuppetO's Easter Celebration

Last March 2013, PuppetO took part in an Easter Celebration for Sunday School. We decided to perform without a stage, and this is a short clip about how we played it.

Check it out!

Batik Power!

Hey...

I finally finished my new puppet!
This was designed as the "Elder" character in my collection.
And for his costume, I chose one of the Indonesian traditional fabrics, called : Batik.
I sure did like this....

So check it out! Grandpa's coming.......woohooooo....

Avenue Q

Puppet shows are for children only?
Naaahh....
You're wrong if you think so...

You should check this one: Avenue Q!
Avenue Q is an American musical show, well known for the use of  hand puppets, alongside the human actors. Most of its stories are addressing and satirizing the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood.  This musical show has a uniqueness : puppets are animated and voiced by actor/puppeteers who are present, unconcealed, onstage, but remain "invisible" relative to the story line. It means, the puppets and human characters completely ignore the puppeteers, and the audience is expected to do so as well. 

Here's an example of their performance. Take a look at how the puppeteers master those puppets very well.

See? I told you, puppet shows are not just for children only....:)

Script, script, script....!

For those who loves to do puppet shows, there is always one important thing : a SCRIPT!
You can't do a good puppet show if you don't have a script. Unless you are a very well-experienced puppeteer who have an ability to create a puppet story in a minute...!

Well, here's a good example of a book that talks about puppet scripts. It is written by a woman who has been doing ministries in many churches, mostly in children ministries or Sunday school.

It provides you a lot of puppet scripts , especially for you, Sunday School teachers, who want to use hand puppets as your unique media in Sunday School teaching or activities. 

It's worth to buy, since the price is very affordable. Affordable? Yes! Because a friend of mine gave it to me as a birthday present   LOL

Haha....No...seriously, it will only cost you less then Rp. 100.000,00.

So, what are you waiting for? Go grab one!

Oh, by the way, this book has been published in Indonesia only.