Marionettes move by being controlled from above by strings or wires attached to their different body parts.
The Art of Marionette Movement
A marionette is a type of puppet maneuvered by a puppeteer positioned above it. The movement is achieved through a system of strings or wires connected from the puppet's limbs, head, and sometimes torso, to a horizontal control bar held by the puppeteer.
How the Control Bar Works
The puppeteer uses the horizontal control bar to manipulate the strings. As highlighted in the reference, the controller pulls on the strings vertically using a horizontal control bar. By pulling, releasing, or tilting the control bar, the puppeteer creates the illusion of movement in the marionette. Different strings are typically attached to different parts of the puppet to allow for a range of actions.
- Leg Strings: Often attached to the knees or feet, used for walking, kicking, or dancing movements.
- Hand Strings: Connected to the hands, allowing for gesturing or holding objects.
- Head String: Controls the head's movement, enabling nodding, turning, or looking around.
- Back/Shoulder Strings: Can be used for bending or more complex torso movements.
Creating Believable Action
Skilled puppeteers learn to coordinate the movements of multiple strings simultaneously to make the marionette appear lifelike. Subtle shifts in tension and timing can convey emotion or complex actions. For example, a slight pull on a leg string combined with a head turn can simulate a step followed by looking around.
Control Bar Action | Resulting Marionette Movement |
---|---|
Pulling Leg String | Lifting Leg/Taking Step |
Tilting Bar | Leaning/Balancing |
Pulling Head String | Nodding/Turning Head |
Understanding how the strings or wires connect to the control bar is key to appreciating the intricate nature of marionette performance. It is this system of overhead control that distinctly defines the marionette compared to other puppet types.