I attempted to create a puppet using items found around us and then transforming them into a distinctive model. As usual, I needed to be more skilled at gathering resources or creating something from them. Still, I had a good time building it. We were at the wood-cutting work area, which had a variety of materials ranging from pliers to sawing equipment. That seemed like a field day of exhilaration, but it wasn’t.
Furthermore, this was the first time I handled saws, which gave me a little sense of accomplishment. I used a different little bottle, leaves, and paper strips, and the rest of the items were borrowed and gathered from the workspace and my classmates.I was trying to figure out how to construct it, even though we learned in the workshop about sawing it at a specific angle at the edge of the table so they can easily chip away. I cut two extended hardwoods and attached them inside the transparent bottle for support before progressively building on them. It was transformed into a trash collector, with the top half of the bottle as a collection bag on its back.
The second time we constructed a puppet was for a stop-motion animation group project. We were divided into two groups and instructed to create a stop-motion video using our puppets. I made a simple puppet with long legs and a square face and body. It wasn’t that complicated, just different parts coming together with twisted wires. I even threw on a tiny coat to give dump sketchy personality.
In terms of appearance, I wanted it to have a very goofy and foolish personality which is why I colored only one shoe to make it funny. I also enjoyed the entire cutting and sawing process, particularly the face. The long wooden snout and the disparity in eye size make it appear strange and doltish.
Then, to enhance suspense and action, we created a setting for the figures out of rusty net mesh and a box. Our initial concept was to show one figure suspiciously coming out foolishly and then assisting the other puppet in coming out; the second puppet fell down and became unhappy due to the first puppet’s assistance.
Filming the animation was a lot of fun. We couldn’t stop laughing at every strange falling posture we attempted. The entire project was enjoyable, and I learned a lot about how to set up the camera, the lights, and the dragonfly program. I’d like to do more exercises and explorations in stop-motion animation because shooting and experimenting with it is strangely satisfying.