|
|
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
Let's imagine: You are doing a show and while interacting with the kids, one of the kids suddenly rush forward and pull your puppet and rip off one of the limbs. He laughing at this right now, but it's not funny at all to you, what will you do?
Well, it hasn't happen yet but just wanted to know what you will do if it really happens. This is to assume that you have done all the preventive measures. Let's discuss. |
creativemac Special user Tampa, FL 834 Posts |
T-A-S-E-R
|
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Good answer Donald - after that, there's nothing left to discuss.
Seriously, this is something I've worried about, it's why I try to keep my distance so the little darlings can't do something like that. For that matter, I try to keep some distance between my figures and adults. I may not have to worry about them pulling off a limb, but they like to grab the hands and touch the figure's face just as much as the kids do. As for the scenarios Joseph presents - I know what I would want to do - pick up that "severed limb" and beat the you know what out of the little brat, but of course, and unfortunately, you couldn't do that. We all know what we'd have to do, smile and say "it's okay"......grrrr.....
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
As a background, the reason why I asked this is because in my shows I have interaction with the kids where they will shake hands with the puppets. Some of the kids are just crazy, pulling the puppets hand.
While I haven't had an incident of a torn limb yet, but I wanted to find out want you would intend to do if it do happen to you. Will you: 1) Stop the show and ask the parent what to do about it 2) Carry on with the show, play along and after the show, find the parent to pay for it 3) Carry on with the show, play along and just move on to the next show 4) Taser What will you do? |
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Personally, I'm partial to number 4.
Bet the little darling will never do it again....
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
Steve at The Dummy Shoppe Elite user 479 Posts |
How about adding a bit into the act where before the handshaking begins, the puppet says something like "Last week we were at a show and when a kid pulled my arm out the Big Dummy here beat him with the bloody end. You guys be gentle with me, cause I don't want to see another kid go to the hospital". Just make it a funny part of the act. I too am partial to Donalds response, but. . .
Steve http://thedummyshoppe.com/blog |
Aussie Special user Australia 623 Posts |
Another reason why I don't do kids shows
|
maps Inner circle 1124 Posts |
Why dun just rip off the puppet arms before someone else does it.Then sew velcro to the connecting parts.Re-attached it to the body and have the volunteer "rip" it off whilst shaking hands.
At least you can smile and go on with the show.
the heart is where the magic begins
Visit my website [www.mascotsandpuppets.com] |
Servante Inner circle 1330 Posts |
I manage to keep some distance...except for the show Louie and I do for the developmentally disabled hospital. We get up close to each kid for that one. You just wind up sensing the rhythms and knowing when they're going to make a move. Maybe thirty years ago, one of the kids bit off one of Louie's fingers, but mostly we do fine.
I'm not sure I'd ever encourage them to shake hands with a puppet. Seems like asking for trouble, Joseph, but I don't know your circumstances and routine, so maybe not. I like Frankie's answer best. Velcro and be ready with a bit. -Philip |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
This did happen to me when I was very new in vent and performing.
These days I am more aware of things. I am also aware that this can be a planned thing...as in the puppet saying "I'd give my left leg to...." ...and yes the leg comes off. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
bearT New user Chesterfield UK 23 Posts |
Just wondering how many of you have your figures insured and does it cover this sort of damage?
|
daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
My Daniel figure has a "shake hands" feature, but that particular arm would be difficult to rip off because of the way it is attached. But most of the time when I have him extend his arm in the shake hands gesture, my experience is that most kids tend to shy away.
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
|
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
One of my figures has a handshaker - it's never been used, at least not while I've owned the figure, that's just inviting trouble.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
MagicalArtist Veteran user Hobart, Indiana 378 Posts |
When I saw this thread, I thought it was about a puppet getting stolen!
The question is also phrased wrong. Rather than asking about what to do if the worst happens, the focus should be to keep it from happening in the first place. Remember the old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." As far as insuring your figure, unless you have a Marshall or McElroy figure, it wouldn't be worth the expense. In addition to the possibility of the figure's arms getting ripped off, letting the children have contact with the puppet allows them to do inappropriate things, such as poking their fingers in its eyes and mouth. Plus, the puppet will get dirty rather quickly. The only time I would deliberately let the children touch the puppet was in a learning situation like in teaching them the art of puppetry. If the puppet should get damaged by the kids, I wouldn't ask for compensation from the parents, as it was partially your own fault in letting the children touch the puppet in the first place. |
tuckerjames43 New user 25 Posts |
If you want to interact with children, use a puppet of low cost and prepare the children beforehand about how to interact with the puppet and ask the parents to help in supervising the children. I have had great results in dealing with children one on one. I had one little boy actually slap my puppet Charlie who is in my picture with me. I used Charlie to say to the lad why did you do that? I never hit you. It lead into a teaching about bullying and I let Charlie do all the talking. The boy ended up saying sorry to Charlie, I had Charlie say I forgive you, and he gave Charlie a hug. Well worth the time spent. Charlie was fine.
|
Aussie Special user Australia 623 Posts |
MJ is not a Marshall or McElroy but is definitely worth being insured, he is the money maker after all
|
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-02-21 22:38, tuckerjames43 wrote: I must say, that's a good idea to use when the kid slaps or trying to do something funny. I'll give that a try. |
MagicalArtist Veteran user Hobart, Indiana 378 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-02-22 05:43, Aussie wrote: That doesn't follow because the cost of insuring can easily exceed the cost of replacing it in very short order. |
tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
The best insurance is having a backup. If you are earning a living with a character, or are defined by it - you should definitely have multiples. I've got 5 of my main character and backups of every prop I use in each show.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » I'm a real boy! » » Puppets ripped off by kids (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |