Puppets, muppets, Labyrinth goblin help for wedding

[rogue_artist]

Hey everyone, another request for knowledge. For my wedding in August, we are decorating with a fantasy theme. I want to make goblins, much as was done or the movie Labyrinth. I understand such muppeteering involves sheets of foam that is wrapped, folded and crimped into shape. But how do they keep those shapes? Is there a special foam glue? Or is it stitched in place like on plush animals and many old cloth toys?

Is there a recommended latex (or derivative) that is best used to coat the foam structure with to give the skin? I imagine Smooth-on's Dragon Skin would be over doing it lol But I also imagine Ben Nye's costume latex at the other end of the spectrum to be useless for this application.

Can anyone recommend to me a book or tutorial?

Ive never made a puppet before, though I have seen first-hand and handled some original Muppets. I had the privilege to handle pieces of the original Ninja Turtle Leonardo, including his head and its radio controls. Ive handled Augra, who was still in remarkably good shape. A mystic was on display but I did not get to touch him. He was deteriorating very badly. There was a garthim also. I got to touch but not really get a good once-over in his construction. He looked untouched by time, and I gather that is due to some sort of varnish that coated him.

This was while I still lived in Pittsburgh, one of my good friends was part of the crew setting up and managing a display at the childrens museum, on loan from Hensons' studio. I got "back stage access". Since then Ive been enthralled with the craft. But I have never had a chance to try my hand at it. Nor did I get to see the interior construction of them

If anyone has some technical tips, please lay them on me! I will put them to god use and post pics after the wedding.

Kindest regards,
-Jason

 

[rollerboi]

I'd be interested in knowing this as well. I do know there are some professional puppet-making forums out there where you might have better luck. There's a special fleece they use for muppets, but that's about all I know.

If I remember right, Wampa has done some puppet and latex restorations. You might want to contact him privately, as I'm not sure how often he checks the board.

 

[rogue_artist]

Wampa? Excellent. Thanks for the heads up!

I have checked Amazon for book titles that might be relevant. Then ordered them through the library for free After I figure out what books will help, I will buy them. I will also post an update on said books as soon as I can for you Rollerboi.

 

[RPGnerd]

Jason this is a very interesting idea, and I hope the wifes a live woman and not a muppet too! I looked the Goblins your referring to on the poster art, sort of like the Goblins of Legend (the Movie) and the 70-80's RPG magazine White Dwarf.

How much detail do you need? You could use paper mache/Paper clay and paint it with liquid latex to make it look like skin (perhaps with leds behind the eyes so they glow) and build plywood body forms that should look fine when dressed.

Do you need any to move? A automated Santa Claus should make a good base to build a goblin that moves. Can you describe the vision your imagining more in detail?

My wife and I had a medieval wedding at Pennsic.

 

[Honus]

Did you get "No Strings Attached: Inside Story of Jim Henson's Creature Shop"?

It's a pretty awesome book and there's quite a bit of info in it about Labyrinth and their design process. Definitely worth checking out.

 

[EvilRocketeer]

there was a website that a lady was selling replica puppets of the labyrinth characters..I cant seem to find it

 

[rogue_artist]

Jason this is a very interesting idea, and I hope the wifes a live woman and not a muppet too!

LOL no, she is real Of coarse, maybe I should switch her out for one of those life-sized Japanese dolls. I bet they are more subservient! LOL

My wife and I had a medieval wedding at Pennsic.

Pennsic eh? I used to live in Pittsburgh and I always meant to hit that, but never got an opportunity to. I actually have a medieval group of my own: www.GothicGermany.org We're not SCA, we do living history. Its fun in a different way

Did you get "No Strings Attached: Inside Story of Jim Henson's Creature Shop"?

Excellent! I will go get that right away Thank you so very kindly.

there was a website that a lady was selling replica puppets of the labyrinth characters..I cant seem to find it

I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for bringing that to the table. But I wont be able to purchase from anyone. Our funds are very tight. I enjoy making things myself anyhow Thank you though!

.....
The designs wont be so macabre that they will need glowing red eyes They needn't be animated either. These shall be set atop small 3' pillar-looking bases that also support the normal wedding floral decor. These buggers will be set atop and within the floral, which sits atop and attached to the pillars. Its an outdoor wedding, so it all fits within the theme.

They will not be very large. The fairies will not be more than one-foot tall and will be set amidst the floral decore. The Goblins will not crest 3-feet and will be sitting upon the floral decor (probably looking bored or mischievous). Pretty small. These pillar-bases will be capping the end of each row that the attendees will be sitting. Pretty small wedding. Only 10 or 11 rows. We're only able to send about 150 invites. So we imagine maybe 100 to 120 to come. So we're doing 6 chairs on each side; meaning 12 chairs per row.

I also want one goblin at the back, holding a sign directing which side is for bride and which for groom. Maybe I will make one more faerie and have her sitting on his shoulder? Keep it even.

I am sculpting the faeries like those "one of a kind" dolls you see made of poly-clay and porcelain. Information on those were readily available. The foam puppet-type construction is far more guarded, which I dont understand. Some of those "one of a kind" doll sculptures go for $1500. Ive seen them as high as $4000. While the construction methods of a puppet to entertain a child are under lock a key. ??? I did have a very nice fellow named Mike offer me some starting advice from here though, bless him. Amazing talent there!

So these foam-based constructions needn't move. I just figured it was more cost effective and less time-consuming than sculpting clay masters and making moulds for them and pouring 4-5 different "latex masks" for the goblins. With these I can shape the foam as needed and paint on the latex. I can add small prosthetic castings as needed and they are all customizable because each base foam "body" is different. So I get more variety with less hassle. Er, somewhat less hassle. Still a lot of work, but nothing of value is easily created. Right?

 

[skythecat]

Hi - Just put a Dark Cystal Mystic up on Ebay (UK) Still have the mould somewhere..........

 

[rogue_artist]

Hi - Just put a Dark Cystal Mystic up on Ebay (UK) Still have the mould somewhere..........

Not really what Im looking for. I also just said I cannot afford to buy things off of anyone else. But thank you for the offer.