Puppetry 101 - Become a Puppeteer! A Guide to Puppetry

[@LandaPanda8]

Adam: Uses a puppy to help Me: Puppyteering

[@PuppetNerd]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@PuppetNerd]

Lol

[@LandaPanda8]

@@PuppetNerd Haha, thanks for pinning my comment! 😀

[@deppy_logs]

Puppy’s are the cutest No kitten and puppy’s are equally cute

[@toyfreddyplaysroblox]

Shockerbolt69 RBX hi

[@sickskoobie6768]

I really want to become a professional puppeteer and I've known it my whole life. My wife made me a puppet a while back and I just recently used it to play and interact with my daughter and I got this incredibly warm and fuzzy feeling seeing her interact with the puppet and laugh. I really feel like this is my calling in life, honestly.

[@darkdrift0r124]

Go for it man! All the best

[@hamsandwhich44737]

go with your dreams dude!!!

[@DESLUG_EDITS]

You can do this

[@kentbarnard5110]

Watching kids watch a puppet - even when they can see you and know you are performing - is the best! Go for it! The world needs more puppets!

[@frogleader3825]

Please go for it man, it’s definitely your life’s calling!

[@mattk6101]

I'm diving into the deep end and decided to build 2 puppets and to perform a puppet show for my microbiology class project. I figured it be a change of pace from all of the projects done before. Your videos are a major help. Wish me luck 😶

[@PuppetNerd]

Good luck!!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

[@content8432]

How did it go

[@user-ym5bv6vv9p]

Hey man howd it go?

[@TheEmilyp2012]

@@user-ym5bv6vv9p This has nothing to do with anything but you’re the latest person I have seen active in the comments of KZbin

[@user-ym5bv6vv9p]

@@TheEmilyp2012 i must be special

[@roccofilms2125]

I just love watching Arlo

[@PuppetNerd]

❤️❤️

[@MossyMozart]

@@PuppetNerd - That little Arlo puppet reminds me of the "Gutsick Gibbon" channel. Ericka, the GG, does her own animation and her main character is Gutsick Gibbon, a lean blue Gibbon that she uses as an avatar at times. Arlo looks very much like Ericka's cartoon Gibbon. ------------------------ She is a paleoprimatology PhD candidate who does videos debunking those who try to disprove evolution and also teaches about various early Hominins and other pre-Sapien topics. She is whip smart and has a great sense of humor. ------------------------ Puppets of our early hominin ancestors would be REALLY COOL!

[@madaboutpuppets]

Finding a song you know well, and performing that in front of a mirror also helps. Aids lip sync and puppet movement.

[@PuppetNerd]

❤️❤️

[@justinhawn4217]

Excellent! I would definitely be interested in seeing a part 2 to this tutorial.

[@PuppetNerd]

Awesome! Thanks! Hoping Cam will be in it too!

[@inflatablecarnival3172]

I just filmed a whole series of puppet videos for my Bounce House business . After watching this , I did a lot wrong . But I’m releasing them anyway . I think they are hilarious. I’m going to really learn this craft . I had a great time doing puppets without knowing what i was doing .

[@jaclynbarker6836]

For real, Adam!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I decided that a thing I want to do in 2020 is learn and practice puppetry, your video could not be more timely! ❤

[@PuppetNerd]

Happy to help! Thanks so much for stopping by!

[@brextenmulti3270]

Same m8

[@GabeTubeChannelOne]

Excellent! One of the things I did for myself years ago was create a practice puppet with very small eye pupils. It forced me to be more precise when looking into a camera or addressing another puppet. That practice helped me to perfect exactly where my other puppets were looking.

[@PuppetNerd]

Perfect!!!

[@adegokudae8620]

Always wanted to try Puppeteering since a child[inspired by Sesame street and the Muppets] and this really gave me a "push" on me wanting to try it. 3d modeling and tech is my strong suit. Puppeteering is also something I wanna do. I've even made rough sketches on characters I want to bring to life[I've made sketches on the mechanics too] Haha thank you!

[@789productions9]

I’m an animator and agree!!

[@PuppetNerd]

Awesome!!!! Then you know for sure!!!

[@markgannett4104]

yes part two...would be great. I am really loving learning about puppets and puppetry.

[@PuppetNerd]

Thanks so much!!!!

[@jojopuppetstudio]

I’m loving this series so far Adam! I just grabbed a puppet I had and started lip syncing to the video and what you said. I really started to understand how many syllables I should be hitting when a character talks. Thank you man! I can’t wait for your future uploads on the channel you have great content. I definitely will send a video to be featured!

[@PuppetNerd]

Thanks so much!!!! It was a lot of work. Soooo glad you like it. There is more coming!!!

[@neginsarrami2457]

My brain comes up with characters ALL THE TIME, and I have a very dominant one. They mostly interact with my sister because we are close and she gets the humor and nuances of the character. I'm really excited to actually make a puppet of one in particular. It's a fully fledged character, with a temperament, preferences, a unique voice, and talkativeness/lack thereof. It's extremely hard to go backwards and figure out what appearance fits something that already has most of its qualities, but I've been really working at it today. I hope I can pull through, finish it, and show you! Your videos are super helpful and are making me think even more creatively.

[@chanellequinones273]

The syllable thing wasn’t something I considered! I always thought the puppet had to hit every syllable to look like it was really “talking”. This makes so much sense and saves my hands from cramping lol

[@jonathanjackgoodman2764]

This channel is amazing. I really appreciate these lessons. I've never known any puppeteers and these videos have helped me so much. Thank you for all your doing to teach and inspire puppet people! You are the man.

[@GarbagePatch]

7:11 that’s what Elmo does so you know that’s professional

[@BlackCatFilmProductions]

Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to incorporated it to my puppet here.

[@YourWorstNightmare.....]

protect this man at all cost

[@MossyMozart]

For those of you who not yet seen it, the wonderfully creative Kaufman film, "Being John Malkovich", has a strong thread of puppetry throughout - the making and performing of stringed puppets / marionettes is amazing.

[@Allah-is-the-best-the-world]

Amazing video. Excellent explanation with good examples.

[@maryanneforgues8737]

Grandsons love puppets. Thank You, need to make a few

[@jlthm]

I've had a recent interest in building and performing with puppets and I just wanted to drop in and say thank you so much for the consistent and free content over the years. Making puppets is more involved than I thought! I've learned so many basic techniques from your videos. Thanks again for making this content, you're helping move the art forward.

[@PuppetNerd]

Happy to help!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

[@Piratestickman]

Thank you! I have an audition for Ave Q soon, and this is absolutely going to help me nail Princeton!

[@TomsPuppet]

omg good luck tell us how it goes!!!!

[@TomsPuppet]

subbed

[@abelincoln6785]

You are a wonderful and effective teacher. Well done

[@NhloniphoZulu-gp1kb]

ghost

[@trudat1498]

I really appreciate this Adam. Thank you so much 😊

[@PuppetNerd]

Thanks so much!!!!

[@ktc333]

Puppy eye lock. I love it!

[@JingxingOu]

NICE! The puppet thing reminds me of my puppet seven locks counselor.

[@lolarosa2632]

Omg I'm so excited and glad I found this channel

[@PuppetNerd]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@PHATVideos]

What's the best position for when using a low table? Sitting? laying down? Should the arm with straight up or bent? I'm having trouble finding the right position

[@bonekasenja]

Adam spends so much time making patterns, and tutorials, with useful tips. Me, does everything wrong and ends up with a bunch of freaky weird puppets. I think I'm cursed.

[@genesislorraine]

I'd love to see Part 2 of puppetry basics!

[@PuppetNerd]

It’s coming!

[@amer2400]

I would love to learn more about hand puppets and developing characters!

[@PuppetNerd]

I expand on this video in my new book! amzn.to/3LbzqCf

[@kthundergaming]

8:30 What I would usually do, Adam, is I would improvise and try to make it seem like the puppet was the one having the hiccups

[@BeanieFilmsNow]

YES, thanks for this Adam

[@PuppetNerd]

❤️❤️❤️ Happy to help!

[@recycledbeats5113]

Thank you!

[@juicyjams8522]

Thank you so much

[@colourmequaint9690]

I didn't expect this to be this helpful! Thak you so much

[@BullfoxShow]

Im ready to take video of my puppet thank you adam😄😄😄

[@darthu4home]

Hey Adam, are you planning on being at this year‘s Puppeteers of America meeting in August that’s happening in Portland, Oregon?

[@PuppetNerd]

Probably not this year. We still have a little baby. But I’ll be at one soon!

[@darthu4home]

Adam Kreutinger I hear you, traveling with a little one is difficult!

[@atomicryan2018]

This is perfect to help with my chicken puppet Thanks

[@liz257]

I think I'd be good at this because I spent most of my childhood playing with bratz dolls with my sister. We used to make them lip sync to songs on my ipod -even though they don't have moving mouths. We learned to make them move as if they were singing and we used a lot of the techniques in this video.

[@ArtBellJr]

Thanks Adam I'm from Las Vegas and bought my first puppet from a store at one of our malls here . I'm super excited to start and loved this video it had great tips . For pros and beginner alike .

[@sailor75565]

Yes, I would like to see and thank you for this one.

[@analaurapalacioscabrera4494]

Lol, i think i might have i new interest, taking notes on that. I've made puppets from socks and i have 2 puppets that are from my sister, i think i might start "performing" in front of my baby cousin cuz he is a child and may help entertain him and saves a lot of time to my aunt. Might work on that in the future, thanks!

[@swirlgamer6623]

This was so helpful! This really helped me. Also I hope that you create another video about creating a character.

[@PuppetNerd]

We are planning on it! Coming soon!!!!

[@KieranTheFox]

I never really had an interest in puppeteering, but then found a thing I liked, and my favorite character loves puppeteering. I thought it was kinda funny but damn, I've never been this invested in something before haha

[@gopalaraosilla5793]

Very talented

[@GarageGear]

This is Awesome. Totally using some of these techniques with my niece!

[@PuppetNerd]

❤️❤️❤️ Thanks buddy! If she wants to make a puppet, here’s a great place to start! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWqxl4mtbqaap6c

[@iki740]

Hey adam. Thank you 🤩

[@PuppetNerd]

Hey! Sure thing!

[@runedream]

I just saw that you did this! How did I miss it?! Absolutely loved it and am really looking forward to the next in the series. So excited that you’re doing these.

[@PuppetNerd]

Thanks so much!!!!

[@MissCraig]

This was very helpful.

[@PuppetNerd]

Happy to help!

[@jenniferkarl5191]

Great video! Very informative and helpful thank you 🎉 I was asked to start a puppet ministry and I have no clue how to work a puppet or to even go about this ministry. However where God puts you he will equip you 😊 . Watching your video helps all I can say is wow and thank you

[@BlackCatFilmProductions]

This is my first time doing puppeteer so this might be a fun new thing for me or a terrifying one. But I won't give up.

[@oldmexico3535]

Dude I’m on it... I’m almost there! “El Chicano and the handicapped fisherman! Old Mexico’s most wanted

[@juanrios2938]

I made two puppets and can't wait to share them with you soon.

[@PuppetNerd]

Awesome!

[@j_v_k_]

so glad i came across ur channel! this is a great resource. thank you for making this accessible, free, and engaging!

[@shreypanchal8768]

From where to buy a puppet?

[@anlilricebowlgoat1194]

Keep up the good work! Sorry that I'm late I was working on making a puppet from your other video(s) I'm gonna try and work on this now.Ty for your help all these years! I am grateful for your help. Now thanks to you,I am making my dream come true! Have a good life :3

[@PuppetNerd]

❤️❤️❤️

[@MusicmanII777]

Hey there, just wondering if you used material from David Pannabecker? I used his material to build two puppets with my own idea. Pretty expensive. Jim Henson used the very same material to build his puppets.😎

[@brextenmulti3270]

Adam I know you have a tutorial on sack puppets but it’s hard for me to follow a long because it’s suuper laggy no hate. So could you maybe give some tips for sack puppet building on a real video because I love sack puppets and I really want to build a big Mack replica when I get my workshop(speaking of Big Mack if I buy the patterns what patterns does it come with)

[@guti820]

I would like some tips for the use of hand rods

[@user-sp3xt3ko4u]

My flamingo thanks you for the advice

[@tellym.joyner4970]

Hey Adam, my name is Telly Joyner I started the Puppet Ministry at my church 7 years ago and now I'm compelled to make a career of it, but I still believe that my skills and experience are not the best. I've been doing puppetry my entire life and there's so much I don't know. Any advice.

[@roccofilms2125]

Hey Adam! I’ve been obsessed with puppets for a while I was just wondering is there a way to put a monitor into an iPad? Loved the vid

[@PuppetNerd]

Yeah. You just need an HDMI cord that matches your devices.

[@roccofilms2125]

Adam Kreutinger Thanks!

[@gayealisir5661]

I love you how have so much passion.

[@gumdropp2264]

THANK YOU FOR THIS I rediscovered my love for puppetry recently and I want to start building/working them and this helped me so much.

[@PuppetNerd]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Chaotic_Enigma]

Making a video short would it be better to use a lavalier mic or post production for the voices?

[@coreyhannah6135]

Thank you so much for making these videos. Do you have one that focuses on use of the arm rods or did I miss it?

[@CraftyCuriosity]

Thank you!!!

[@PuppetNerd]

Happy to help!

[@bj5843]

I just watched another video with Adam Savage and the moving of the lower jar instead of the upper head was mentioned in that video as well. How do I get my thumbs to do that?!?! With my hand in that position, my thumb and fingers don’t work independently of each other. I can either move both at the same time, or not move them at all.

[@timwilson9480]

this helped me soooo much!

[@atheadavis]

Great tips! How do you choose the voice?

[@CinaBloom]

I make puppets in 3D in Blender. And to make the movements more believable, I was wondering if the movement is very liminal or if there's a lot. Like if there a lot of a few dreams for the head or the arm

[@Meike164]

Whe you started about the control part I was disappointed but then i remembered practice makes perfect AND THEN YOU SAID TO PRACTICE. im exited again

[@SUPERJEFFYDRINKY]

STEP 1:GET THE PENCIL like This Emoji ✏️ STEP2:GET THE PANTS LOOK A LIKE REAL JEFFY PUPPET STEP 3:GET THE SHOES THAT LOOK A LIKE ORIGINAL JEFFY PUPPET 👟

[@sunnywhether]

I had some extra supplies left over from my Mardi Gras costume and a pack of googley eyes so naturally after week 7 of being at home I made my first puppet. After building two from my imagination I figured it was time to learn some tips and found this cornucopia. Never thought about the craft until the other day and now I’m using this time to learn and you, sir, explain it well. It’s so fun! I’ve made 4 so far and they are so beautifully rudimentary, can’t wait to see what’s next for me in my puppet progress. And I subscribed to this channel and that’s a rarity.

[@sunnywhether]

I’m a Backline technician working live concerts. So, probably going to have a lot of time to work on this.

[@PuppetNerd]

Awesome! Can’t wait to see it!

[@sunnywhether]

Adam Kreutinger I’m off social media for a few days. Where can I show you what I made? Like an email?

[@eSKULLYFILMS]

Very helpful tips

[@MOLDY_TEETH]

Will sok puppet do good??

[@briandaaranda9735]

I have a question. Does the mouth plate go all the way to the place where your thumb and fingers join? Or what is the best way to avoid your hand hurting?

[@PuppetNerd]

It would depend on the design of your puppet.

[@briandaaranda9735]

@@PuppetNerd I'm trying to do a dragon with your free pattern with a few modifications, so it does have a longer snout. Maybe that's why my hand was hurting? Too much weight in the front?

[@andrewflatt1415]

Wow, thanks so much!

[@drd-creations]

I am actualy makeing my own puppet. i used your viedeos as a help. i am happy if i can shouw you it once its done :D

[@WN2W]

Thank you so much! I'm trying to start doing short films and was trying to use a puppet for the scary bits and your videos helped a lot.

[@anthonyheller6038]

u've gotta great energy

[@sickskoobie6768]

I'm finally going to start making puppet videos and pursuing my dream of becoming a professional puppeteer. Stay tuned to my channel. Thanks to all.

[@mattk6101]

I know it's off topic, but where did you buy a lab coat for your dentist/doctor puppet? I checked puppet pelts but couldn't find one. Any recommendations?

[@lisapuppets]

If you don't want to custom make it yourself, depending on the size of the puppet you can hit up Build-a-Bear or the infant sections online/in stores for tiny Halloween costumes.

[@PuppetNerd]

I custom make all the clothing to fit my puppets.

[@mattk6101]

Thank you both for the input. It's greatly appreciated.

[@caileanandstruanjones3023]

You are the best at puppetery. Thanks for the tips I SUBSCRIBED YOU. Your just so good.

[@PuppetNerd]

Happy to help! Can’t wait to see what you do!

[@PAbadboy]

Please do a video about developing the personality of the puppet. PLEASE

[@RacDem2017]

I can’t seem to find a printable version of your puppetry basics on your website. Is this available?

[@jakestyles002]

Are there any guidelines in respect to copyrights when purchasing a puppet from a retail establishment? I.E. can I buy a generic critter puppet and use it on original content?

[@jakestyles002]

Looks like this is a good question for a “video”... cause it’s “crickets” in the Answer Department. I bet this is a “grey area” that could go either way.

[@puppetshack4931]

Great job man love it. Love the ground reminder and the Henson punch. 🤜🏼

[@PuppetNerd]

❤️❤️❤️

[@JintySteam1]

How do properties stop their arms from aching?

[@TheBabocksShow]

Mr. Kreutinger, you are a "foam" father of our very first puppet Boris from our KZbin comedy puppet show. Hope you'll like him. Thank you for your hard work!

[@PuppetNerd]

Thanks so much! Can’t wIt to check it out!

[@MJLuper]

Do you have any videos on or any advice on working puppets with no arms? He's my first one

[@PuppetNerd]

It would be the same techniques minus the arms. Is there something particular you are trying to do?

[@MJLuper]

@@PuppetNerd I'm going to use them in comedy bits and lip singing. I'm going to record the voice tracks and then act them out. Any advice? Thanks Adam

[@PuppetNerd]

@@MJLuper I love using puppets that do t gave arms. So much less to focus on. Plus the arms to add to much unless you REALLY need them. I would focus mostly on ground and eye focus. That’s really the best thing to practice and make your character seem the most alive. Let me know how it turns out!!!

[@MJLuper]

@@PuppetNerd Will do. Thanks Adam

[@MJLuper]

@@PuppetNerd I have another question for ya. I'm trying to figure out a way to cover myself so the camera can't see me on certain videos. Any suggestions? Thanks. My TikTok account @stitchesandneedles has a few videos on it if you want to critique my work. Thanks man.

[@AnnesreborndollsandfunW]

I would love to buy a full puppet . I don’t have a lot and the Canadian dollar has fallen . I have a really nice dragon and 2 kid toy puppets. This makes a lot of sense I have a short play list. Draco the dragon , just starting and learning but very seriously wanting to do a lot more .

[@PuppetNerd]

Hey! Here is a video on making a full body puppet. Hope this helps. kzbin.info/aero/PLeYjVOvIFYr-eMN0D65L70QkL4x26xCXx

[@zeddave]

Just curious on your opinions on the "Adults" style puppet shows? Puppet-Up or the recent Happytime Murders movie?

[@PuppetNerd]

The more puppetry in the world the better!

[@climateguy2488]

Well done

[@gladiator1568]

Awesome

[@JimmyMazter]

Hi there! Big fan. What's the best advice you would give to a new puppeteer?

[@PuppetNerd]

I just finished writing this book which is the perfect place to start! amzn.to/3KEfHed

[@madrush35]

so i liked the video but im curious on the technique to make it so only the lower part of the puppet move when i talk with the puppet the natural movement of the hand when trying to move just the thumb ends up moving the top part as well , is it just practice or is there a way to to help with this