Week 7 - Puppets rehearsals!

Puppets!

To begin, this week there has been a big focus onto the puppets, and their choreography. We spent a great deal of time experimenting with ways in which the puppets can move, such as sat at the coffee table passing coffee and sugar from husband to wife, and dancing with one another. In this scene, we want there to be a reflection onto these characters, where Sally will express how in tune with each other they are, "knowing each others wants and needs with just a look". We want the audience to watch this scene, and feel heart warmed with how alive these characters are through the way in which we move them with our hands, and give them life by letting them use our hands. Additionally we want the audience to reflect on this scene, and see how real this couples relationship is, and reflect on that old couple we have all seen at some point in our lives, that look so content in each others company, so there will an aspect of relatablity. We will include a short little dance at the end of the puppet scene to show the closeness of the couple, and that carelessness of them expressing their loves for each other. 

We made a decision as a group to remove the wooden structure of the puppet that Ian made for us, as it was causing great difficulty for us to move with, and it just did not give the puppets that life like feel we are striving for. So instead we will use shirts with a cut at the elbow on the right arm so that we can put our arm through, then the left hand up the back of the shirt or blouse to have movement for the head. I think that this works so much better, it just looks so much more life like and it makes their movements seem more fluid and realistic than when we had wood through the centre. 

 The way in which the male puppet touches the lady puppets face here, looks very realistic in the fact that there is a slight bend in the sleeve of the shirt, which looks like an arm bending at the elbow, which I think makes the puppet look more human, and with my hand on his shoulder it looks like I am guiding him touching his wife. 

 Here the lady puppet is reaching out to touch the male puppet, I think that it is important for myself and Beth to look at the puppets when we are moving them into place, as it gives this personable touch and gentle control, and makes the movement look more defined. I like the way in which the lady puppets head is slightly tilted to one side and then the male puppet is looking almost directly at her. 

 This shot looks as though I am whispering into the old gentleman's ear and telling him what his next move will be.

 Ignoring myself holding the puppet, the stance and posture of the puppet looks very strong and defined, in some ways you can see an old man with sunken shoulders, but with a head held high. 

 This is probably one of my favorite images of the puppets in rehearsals, they way in which I am using my hand to show that the puppet is holding the glass is very realistic, it gives the puppet life. I almost forget about myself sat in background and just focus on the fact that there seems to be a male puppet character sat holding a glass that they are drinking out of. 

This image is quite strong in that the couple are looking at one another as they hold hands. I think this image would be better if you could see the arm a little more of the puppet I am holding (The male). 

During this scene Sally will reflect on the couple in her cafe saying :-

Sally: "How heart-warming it is to see them the same time, same day, same table every week. They rarely say anything, maybe that is because over the years they have said all that is needed to be said, or maybe they just enjoy being in each other’s company. Either way I find them the most fascinating to watch and learn from. Totally in sync, knowing the others wants and needs by a look. Passing the sugar with just a smile. Their hands touching and having that sense of comfort that they get from being close to one another. It’s the most amazing moment watching him watch her and knowing that he would do anything to make her happy."

While Sally speaks this myself and Beth will guide the puppets through the motions of relationship, and go into a short little dance, with the male puppet making a big deal to show off his wife and his wife seeming quite shy, We are going to use the song Close to you by The carpenters, as its a song that I believe really highlights the puppets relationship.