How to Realistically Operate a Puppet

Realistically operating a puppet is dependent on the type of puppet that you have, the stage props available, the set, and your own level of experience and practice. This article sets out the basics for puppetry and if puppeteer experts would like to create additional more detailed articles on each type of puppet, that would be fantastic.

Finger puppets

1. Place the finger puppet on your finger of choice.
   
   
2. Wiggle it around a bit. Notice the elements of its movements that seem more realistic and in keeping with the character that the puppet has.
   
   
3. Broaden these elements when practicing so that over time these become the more used movements of the puppet.
   
   
4. Accept that a finger puppet will always be hard to give the appearance of realistic movement.

Hand puppets

1. Place the puppet over your hand. A hand puppet has far more movement range than a finger puppet and will enable you to create more realistic movements.
2. Practice in front of a mirror. Make the puppet do the following things to see how they appear:
   
   • Bow
   • Catch something
   • Sneeze
   • Wipe its nose
   • Laugh
   • Hit something
   • Run
   • Jump
   • Lie down
3. Select the movements that appear most lifelike given the puppet in question. Emphasize these elements of your puppet when putting together its movement sequence.

Marionettes

1. Be experienced in handling marionette puppets before trying them out in a show. They are very lifelike in their reactions but manipulating them well takes a lot of practice and perseverance.
2. Stand above the marionette in a comfortable position. Do not stand precariously as the excitement of moving the puppet can unbalance you.
3. Align the marionette so that the strings are not tangled together. Practice basic movements to begin with, such as:
   
   • Sitting the puppet
   • Walking it across the set
   • Lifting one leg, then the other
   • Lifting an arm, then the other
4. Continue practicing until you feel more comfortable combining the different movements together.

Cone puppets

1. Advice required.

• Watch how real people move or an animal if that's what your puppet is.
• Set up a video camera in front of your puppet so then you can play back what it looks like.
• Watch how other puppets move in real life or on TV or on the internet.

• Don't get the strings tangled up.

• A puppet
• A video camera