Inspired by an upgrade
Or:
Why I destroyed a puppet (but kept its brain and heart)
In March 2017, with the kick-starter campaign reaching its target, I began to redesign/upgrade the original Bitz puppet so she would be able to star in a short film. Bitz was the first puppet I built in 2015, and was very experimental and difficult to animate (see my previous blogs!)…but she had a special place in my heart, had helped me build an audience for my work, and I always felt like she had more to offer if given the chance… with a heavy heart I began dismantling Bitz…
The original Bitz…
The original Bitz…
Ok, so I know Bitz is just a puppet…buuuut I wanted this new puppet to still be the same character and I wanted my audience to feel this connection too. I couldn’t just build a new one while keeping the original. So, I took the original Bitz apart and tried to keep as many of the bits and bobs to use in the new puppet. Some of the bits were useful, like certain nuts and bolts, but I also kept the ‘brain’ and ‘heart’ (just balled up pieces of aluminium foil) and made a point of ‘transplanting’ these into the new puppet.
As I designed this new Bitz, I wanted to go through the usual intuitive ‘form and function’ processes I use in my puppet design, using what I had learnt from my other projects to improve the functionality. The first Bitz had lots of issues - weight and solidity being the main two. The nature of the materials meant that the Bitz puppet would always be heavy (but I tried to limit this as much as possible), and the dog subject meant that there would always be weak points along the spine and leg joints. The design and development was focused on making the joints as solid and functional as possible.
I also tried to keep some of the design quirks from the original, like the way the solder flux was used on the head etc. I think the end result was noticeably more accomplished than the original Bitz but still felt the same and had the same quirky, DIY energy. I genuinely feel like the original Bitz had an upgrade, and went on to bigger and better things. There is only one Bitz.
With the new puppet taking shape, I started building a set for her. This was a mocked-up shed in my spare room. After some experimentation, I made the base from textured cork with a wire frame mounted above (just like my previous work). I added a window, with R/C colour changing bulb to show the changing lights. I also made a mini version of a shed for exterior shots, a spider puppet and lots of little props.
I had a rough storyboard and did some test filming with this new puppet in its new set. The new joint techniques, although far from perfect, meant I would be able to attempt all the movements I wanted to in the Bitz film.. but I would need to learn how to use a rig. I played with getting the lighting right (a soft-box lighting defuser and some spot lights) so I could successfully remove the rig in post production. I’ll talk more about the production of my ‘Bitz the Whippet’ film including the fun and stresses of using rigs in my next blog post!
Thanks for reading,
James
CURRENT WORK
* FILM PRODUCTION* I am currently in the tentative early stages of planning ‘Whibbits! Rox Episode’. I have a rough idea and I’m making some notes and looking for reference material (both dog and none-dog related), I’ll reveal more about this if I make the fundraising target, currently at 67%. Thanks to everyone who has got involved so far. If you haven't yet, check out my shop page to help bring Rox to life!
*MODEL MAKING* I am have designed the prototype for an all black (with a little grey and white) whibbit called ‘Tux’ (His name comes from tuxedo). This one is for me to hopefully animate with (eventually), with 5 more available to pre-order. There are 4 left, so if you want to give Tux a forever home you can order one from my shop page.
*MERCHANDISE/FUNDRAISING* As my latest animation is finished I can using this to raise funds for the next stage of the whibbits project - The Rox Episode. I am running a raffle to win the actual Mory puppet used in his animation. I am also selling 4 types of badges and various supporters packs, with all proceeds going towards the next animation. I can’t make the whibbits come to life without you, so visit the shop if you want to get involved!
