This is a fun character from a while ago. Murdock here is a really unique character that was a lot of fun to build.
This is a fantastic example of how interesting and distinct a character can be when created from our Simple Style puppet shapes.
At his core, Murdock is a Simple Style Egghead puppet, with the live-hand monster-body variant.
Even from the early inspiration stages, this character had a really unique look and distinct personality which was a lot of fun to interpret and build.
Since this character was already so distinct, much of the design work had been done for us already. All we had to do was translate the design character into our Simple Style shapes.
It was a lot of fun working on this project and bringing this character to life.
This one was a unique challenge. We ended up tailoring a sweatshirt into a live-hand arm for this character. Which at the time, was the first time we had done something like that.
This character turned out to be several firsts for us. This was the first time we shipped a puppet internationally, (though this didn't influence the build at all). This was also marked the first attempt of our technology-assisted pattern making process, to create the skull for the puppet. To get the shape we wanted, we modeled the head in a 3D software, and through some computer magic, we ended up with a pattern that made the head you see.
It turned out exactly like we wanted.
In retrospect, this method may have been better suited for a more complex shape. However, we learned that we could use that process if we ever needed to make something particularly intricate.
(For example, we would likely use it for a particularly involved Full-Custom style request.)
Years ago (high school), I had the idea to create a video series with some puppet characters.
I liked the idea, and always wanted to do something with puppets.
There were a few impediments preventing me from doing this, though.
First and foremost: I didn't have any puppets. I had no idea where I could find one that didn't look like a toy, and I didn't know the first thing about making them myself.
The short version of the story: I still haven't gotten to that video series, but I managed to teach myself the ins-and-outs of puppet building.
As I was learning how to put puppet characters together, I ended up making a few characters for friends and family. One thing lead to another, and I began offering my services selling custom puppets, which is why you're seeing this webpage right now.
I built a cast, then life hit me hard (college will do that), and I wasn't able to pursue video-making much. I did make the occasional test here and there, though.
Such as this "gem" before all the characters were finished:
I started on a character that was perhaps a bit more ambitious than I should have attempted as a beginner.
I worked with materials that I could find, and made sure to save my patterns, in case I stumbled backwards into any "happy accidents" that I wouldn't be able to replicate later.
All things considered, this character turned out pretty good for a first attempt. I've considered going back and giving it real eyes and teeth.
You can see it here, with a few of my other, very primitive early puppets:
I had even made plans for some more elaborate characters:
And eventually, I amassed enough of a "cast" to put some sort of videos together.
But, like I said, life got in the way of that goal. School demands attention, you know.
Around this time, I also made an attempt to sell some puppets, too, since I'd just learned a pretty interesting skill.
For a hobby-level, I did pretty well with that.
Which, eventually resulted in the webpage you are now reading, and the armfuls of puppets that we've built for people.
And, if you'reinterested, you can have a custom puppet from us.
Have a look at our custom information, and order form here.
