Getting Started in Puppetry: My Story So Far
Exploring the world of puppetry, one misadventure at a time!
So, you want to get into puppetry, huh? Or maybe you already have and you're just not sure where to go next. Well, welcome to the club! I’m no expert by any means, but I’ve had the chance to try out a few things here and there, and I’m always learning as I go. Here’s a little peek into what I’ve been up to, filled with interesting adventures, lessons, and a few... let’s say “misadventures.”
When I first started exploring puppetry and model-making, I had absolutely no idea where to begin. I mean, you hear about people getting hired for big theatre productions, or making puppets for TV, and you think: “How do I even get started?!" Honestly, I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up. There’s no roadmap or easy guide, and at the time, the internet wasn’t quite the treasure trove of knowledge it is now. But somehow, I managed to stumble across a few courses and opportunities that kept me moving forward.
I kicked off my puppetry adventures with an animatronics course in Yorkshire (yes, you heard that right) after leaving the seaside town of Bournemouth. I had just finished a Fine Art course at Arts University Bournemouth, and I was itching to try something new. So, I hopped in my tiny Fiat Panda – a car that was about as suited for long-distance motorway travel as a shopping trolley – and off I went. I was off to study animatronics at a university miles away (cue my terrifying nightmares about being squished between two massive trucks on the M1!). I quickly realised I had bitten off way more than I could chew. I thought (I was sold) I could master everything from coding to sculpting to painting to, well, everything else under the sun. Turns out, each of those skills requires years of practice and dedication. I learned a lot (including that not every course is what you think it’ll be), but the most valuable takeaway from that time? Meeting talented people and working for Madame Tussauds!
A year and a half later, and mastering the motorways of England, I found myself in Los Angeles, studying special effects makeup at the Make-Up Designory (MUD) – another experience that blew my mind. At MUD, we got hands-on with prosthetics, masks, and all kinds of exciting special effects. You know, just casually making fake blood and monster masks with people who had worked on some of the biggest blockbusters. Burbank is magic!
I came back to Bournemouth and found my niche. I ended up studying ModelMaking for Design and Media at the Arts University Bournemouth – and that course? Perfect. It was a creative playground that covered everything from architectural model making to 3D computer design. I’d highly recommend it for anyone who isn’t sure exactly what kind of model-making or puppetry they want to specialise in. You get to try a little bit of everything, and it’s a great introduction to the world of design.
One of the best parts of my experience was working with Rainbow Productions in London. They create walkarounds for theatre, TV, and film. Remember the giant nurse who ran the London Marathon? Probably not, but that was one of the projects I worked on! There, I learnt about pattern making, materials, and how to work super fast when deadlines are tight (which is all the time!). I also learnt that getting paid per product instead of per hour means no time for pattern making – and mistakes are expensive!
I got involved with some other really fun projects. One of the most memorable was working with Arts By The Sea Festival and Zerelda Sinclair, a collaboration where my puppets actually made it all the way to Canada! Another highlight was performing in a prop at the Steakhouse Live in London – what an experience. And let’s not forget the Carnival of Objects by Nicola Baylis – that’s where I made the most epic whale puppet, which featured on BBC South Today (Local UK news).
Trailer for The Sea by Carnival of Objects
After a while, I moved to Salisbury where I spent a decade working in the marketing department for an International Arts Festival, Producing Theatre and Arts Venue. During that time, I had the chance to make props and puppets for plays like Aladdin and Cinderella, and even run a puppet workshop for Stage 65 Youth Theatre. But honestly, all these jobs helped me learn more about the behind-the-scenes world of theatre and event production. And boy, did I get an education in what it takes to make an event run smoothly! (Also – spotlighting a musical when you’ve never worked with a spotlight before is a nightmare, but hey, I survived!)
Now, here’s the thing: puppetry is so much more than just making things. It’s about performing, character, and storytelling. Puppets can be larger than life, full of emotion, and have a voice of their own. It’s a form of art that has such a rich and epic history – and yet, in the UK, it’s an endangered art. It’s a real shame, because the power of puppetry is so immense. The ability to bring inanimate objects to life and tell a story through them, It’s magical. And that’s why we need to keep supporting this art form. Whether it’s through learning, creating, or simply showing up to a performance – every little bit counts. We can't afford to let this incredible craft fade away.
So, here I am, still a hobbyist, but enjoying every step of the way. I’m having fun, meeting amazing people, and creating some really fun work. I hope this blog can be a place to share resources, workshops, and tips with others who are on this same creative path. If you’ve got any stories to share or courses that helped you, please reach out. Let’s keep the conversation going – who knows where it might lead?
