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Hello dear backers!
Another long wait between updates, we're aware and apologize. Just know that it's only because we've been so hard at work to bring you the finished film. The "In-The-Can" pile of storyboards has been growing and growing as we finished up shooting in the village and are currently tackling the Black Forest and the Cursed Graveyard.
This video's subject is Lead Puppeteer, Jason Ropp, who's been with Puppetcore since their first puppet film, Shine. See what he has to say about how he brings the characters of Frank & Zed to life!
We're getting closer and closer to filming our epic double battle and destroying all these great puppets that we've made! Looking forward to it!
-Team Puppetcore
What to look for in the video:
0:30 - This mechanism is our cat tail.
1:08 - Here you can see the aforementioned cat tail at work!
1:37 - This puppet was originally supposed to be designed after one of our Be-A-Puppet backers. However this iteration didn't come together as intended, so Jason repurposed him into a new fisherman character.
1:49 - Visit http://www.dragontheater.com/ to check out Jason's Day job and book him for your next event!
2:56 - Watch to the end of the video to see how this very take ended up.
4:36 - Check out Puppetcore's first puppet film, Shine here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jE7dPlALp4
Zed-ites!
It has been far too long! Sorry for the delay in videos. Between Spring Break and having our hands full, knocking out the Throne Room scenes, we fell a bit behind on the updates. But fear not, for we've now returned and with none other than Puppetcore's Lead Sculptor, Erin DeBray!
Erin's been making monsters for Puppetcore since Chompers, and is responsible for how great Frank and Zed look. Check out what he has to say on the matter below!
We're finishing up the throne room location this week. The scene presented lots of challenges (open flames, crowds, puppeteering cat tails) and we're super excited with everything we've accomplished here! Check out some of the photos below.
With only a couple more locations left, and the epic battle fast approaching, now's your last chance to get your name in the film or to be seen as a puppet. These slacker backer rewards will only be available for another week or two on our website: http://www.puppetcore.com/ After that, there will still be chances for slacker backers to pre-order the DVD and perhaps some other physical goodies as well.
Though this update fell behind, we're always posting new pictures and such on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Puppetcore/
Let us know what you'd like to see more of in our videos and stay tuned for the Cursed Forest and Black Cemetery!
-Team Puppetcore
What to look for in the video:
0:01 - Of course our hoodies arrived just as our "Ice Box" studio is turning into the "Sweat Box" with the warming weather.
0:19 - Here's a clear picture of the awesome Crew Logo Erin drew up for the hoodies.
0:50 - Erin is showing off the Priest's "gas mask." Why does the Priest need a gas mask? You'll have to watch to find out!
1:20 - You can watch Chompers in 3D here! https://vimeo.com/42858748
2:05 - This was an unused prototype of Frank.
2:58 - Erin, a life-long horror fan, was very proud to have had his face used in a 3D ad Puppetcore did for Fangoria's 3D issue.
4:00 - You can check out TW Brown's Goodreads page here: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3355188.T_W_Brown
4:27 - Richard Taylor, though not a backer, is a great inspiration to us as the Production Designer for The Lord of the Rings. So we thought fitting his name into the film would be appropriate.
5:24 - Erin's 1930's mobster voice can also be heard in the Rock Construction video diary
Dear Zed-ites,
Happy Spring Break! Well, it is for most of our crew anyway. While they're enjoying a well deserved week off, Jesse is busy finally laying all the footage we've shot so far into the edit. The flick is coming together nicely and we can't wait to show it to you all!
But there's still a lot to do. We're almost finished with our Murder Village sets, having shot the Krampus Temple and some fun mob scenes, and then we'll be moving into the Black Cemetery and the Ancient Woods. So still lots of fun behind-the-scenes to look forward to.
We've been getting a few slacker backers, and it's really exciting welcoming new folk into the Puppetcore fandom. Know someone who missed out on the initial campaign? Send 'em here: http://www.puppetcore.com/
And you can always follow along and get mini-updates by Liking our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Puppetcore/
After Spring Break we'll be jumping right into the King's Throne Room, which should be a lot of fun! Jesse describes it as the "Guillermo Del Toro Set." Can't wait to show it off in the next video!
-Team Puppetcore
What to look for in the video:
0:30 - The Krampus faces of the hanging miniature will actually be repurposed onto a suit of armor. We're nothing if not conservationists!
1:16 - Want to learn more about Susan's day job? Visit her at Alter Egos Bazaar!
1:30 - A first look at our Blacksmith
1:37 - The Shine costumes were incredibly detailed, right down to working collar buttons and pants pockets.
2:33 - Well, we need some secrets!
3:58 - Who is that figure, boarded up on the Krampus Temple? Perhaps that will be the subject of a future video.
Hello residents of Murder Village!
Well some of you will be, as you'll see in our newest update which focuses on moving the cameras out of Frank and Zed's castle and into the village. We'll look at a couple different methods of creating stained glass, as well as a peek at what's coming up next for our intrepid crew.
We're still waiting for just a few responses from our name/face-in-film backers. If you donated at $100 or above, be sure to contact us so we can fit your name and/or face into the world of Frank & Zed.
Remember, any slacker backers you may know can still jump in on the fun at our homepage: http://www.puppetcore.com/
And you can always follow along and get mini-updates by Liking our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Puppetcore/
Stay tuned two weeks from now to see how the hanging miniatures effects worked. We're filming those shots today. Wish us luck!
-Team Puppetcore
What to look for in the video:
0:03 - Lots of props to see for the eagle-eyed viewer. On the top shelf is a better look at one of Zed's "dolls" from last weeks video.
0:12 - Lead Puppeteer, Jason Ropp, sculpted the relief on the crown using Super Sculpy. The rest is fake fur and aged copper.
1:45 - "Shadowbooth" is the Kickstarter handle of one of our most loyal fans and cast-yourself-as-the-mayor backer. It's what we've taken to calling our villain. What will his true name be in the film? Time will tell.
1:53 - Cinematographer, Patrick Blevins (from last update), was out for the deathbed scene. Stepping in were Mike Linberg and Chris Miller. Thanks guys!
1:58 - In this raw footage you can see a tease at one of our main female characters. Her face is covered now, but she shall be revealed in due time.
2:12 - Jesse was very excited to cross this moment off his bucket list!