Thread: Circus Freak Puppeteer (Wiper Motor)

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Hi fellow haunter, this is my first attempt at a tutorial. It might be a bit of a mess, but here goes.
It's for my Circus Freak Puppeteer which it used a wiper motor to make the puppet move.


Items used
1 child Mannequin
2 hair dressing practice head
3 wiper motor
4 large piece of chip board 1'thick
5 one pack of DAS clay
6 3/4' plastic tubing
7 sea fishing line
8 3 blue LEDs
9 1 1/2' lenght of wood
10 1 sheet of plywood

Step one THE HEAD
I start with the head

add eyes and teeth fro a bass to build from

I used DAS Clay and Miliput (green colored stuff) for the build

add nose

and final paint job
Attachment 82678

Step 2 THE BASE
Because the prop is based on a child size mannequin, i thought it would put it on a circus style base to raise it up. This then open up a chance to add a motor. Original I was going to have him move from side to side and the puppet would just sway the motion. I always wanted to build a crank ghost prop, so been reading up online on how to make one, when i thought i could use the same principle to make my puppet move.
First I cut out 2 circles out of the chip board, 1 larger by about 4" in diameter than the other, add a center pillar just to get the height and give a fixed point to work from.
Next step was to add the side props this was achieved by trial and error, placed the 1 1/2" length against the side of the base and draw a line across the bottom and top of the base. Took about to goes to get bit right. Then used that as a master and cut 8 more. attached with screws.

Next step was to attach the mannequin. I place it on top and draw around the feet and because the mannequin already had a hole in the heal i use a bolt cover it with tape for a snug fit (just as stabilizer, until i final would bolt it down.

Now with the mannequin in place i had a reference point for the motor. I drilled a whole behind the mannequin right leg then looking through the whole i centered the motor beneath.

then on the top (inside) of the bass i add 3 off set eyelets

then add the fishing line using the 3 washer tech http://www.rontye.com/Projects/Easy_FCG/Washer.htm

then tested it out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XCltjimMEs
then i added to out skirt from plywood. the way i did this was to slow roll the base on some card, draw around the top and bottom to make a template for the ply. I then soaked the ply in water for 10 mins and the slowly bent it to shape the added it to the base with screws. I left a hatch so i could get to the motor.

Step 3 MANNEQUIN FIXTURE
I fixed the mannequin to the base with bolts then ran the 3/4' plastic pipe from the hole in the base up his back and any other piece down his arm. Then ran the fishing line one at a time so it does not tangle. I add 3 eyelet to the top of the tube to keep the lines singular.

Next I bolted it to the base and then need to hide the bolt. So I made my shoe covers.
clay master

plaster cast

Latex casting

Step 4 THE PUPPET
I cheated a bit here, i got the body off ebay, but did build the head.
I used a 1'' polystyrene ball with some hardwood dowel for the neck. Used Muiliput put to build the face

Step 5 PAINT JOB
Not much to say here but painting hide a multiple of sins. I use acrylic and house hold latex based paint.
Colors were bass around the hat i got. Fabric is a pain to paint, but i found that is easier with a sponge wedged brush. When it drys hard, it great to dry-brush.



I made a ruff form some net cloth




Please post reply, if i missed anything out you would like to know.

This is some of the coolest stuff i've seen on HF. Awesome work Twisted UK!

I have to agree. That is one of the best and original props I've seen on here. Totally love it!!! I don't like clowns but, even I would keep this one in my room. Thanks for the tuturial. If I ever get up the nurve to even try that, it will come in very handy.

Sweet! Great job.

what happened to the pics?

Very awesome work!!!! Everything from the concept, to the build is really incredible.