OK all you pro vents...

I need some advice (besides - go to the gym more.)

I experience arm fatigue while holding up the figure. I set the figure on a table but my elbow has nothing to rest on and therefor, must support the weight of the figure for the entire routine.

Is this a common problem? Should I rig up something inside of the figure (kinda like a crutch for my elbow) that would run from where my elbow is to the figures "bottom" to support my arm? I'm a little new to this area of entertainment, so any advice would be much appreciated.


Lyndel

Maybe try adjusting the height a bit. If the figure is sitting on a table, you shouldn't be supporting the weight of the figure or putting strain on the wrist.

What kind of figure? Hard figure?

What kind of hard figure do you have? If you have one that has the popular "ball and socket" type--where the bottom of the neck glides smoothly on top of the neck hole--you should have no problem because the figure's neck area and shoulder support the weight of the head.

Again please tell us what you have so we can give you exact advise.

I've got an Axtell Jazzman... So there's no control stick to hold onto or body frame to help support the figure.

It's really not that heavy, it just SEEMS that way after a seven or eight minute routine.


Lyndel

Lyndel,
I had the same problem starting out. Over time, with practice, that goes away. The gym isn't a bad idea!

You could always add a shelf to your table that would allow you to rest your elbow - but the smart thing to do would be to keep working with it and eventually the fatigue will disappear.
Tom

I'll second Tom on this one ! I started out using the fuzzy sheepdog used by many magicians. He doesn't weigh much, and has a tiny mouth. Then, I got the Axtell small book. Hmmm, this thing requires more work on the mouth, my arm is getting a bit tired. No problem, I don't use it all the time anyway, just on library shows. Then....I got my Wanlu custom pelican, with a mouth the size of Montana ! Not a really heavy puppet by amy means, but WOW...was I sore the first couple of shows ! I plan to use this guy on almost all my shows, so at first , I was worried. Then the darndest thing happened, my arm muscles started to get stronger, and the puppet seemed to get lighter ! All it took was building up the muscles in that arm. Practice and performance time was all it took....

8~)

Mark Pettey
Naples, FL
(who hopes to drive up the road and see Lyndel perform, someday !)

I had a similar problem with some of my puppets but I got used to it

Try adjusting the height of the stand...

Wanlu