"The Missing Link, pt. II"
After the success of the first Missing Link, this year's officers have some big shoes to fill
Released: February 11, 2020 [In-House Only]
Written and Produced by Chainlink Improv
My Role: Writer, Director (Film Noir); Actor; Puppet Maker/Puppeteer (Saw); Co-Editor
This film was a compilation of sketches (one written by each officer) framed as a pitch meeting, created by the 2019-2020 officers of Chainlink Improv. One of the sketches was a parody of the Saw franchise, requiring a working full-sized 'Billy' puppet.
Using the (at the time) little puppet-making experience I had from an MST3k fan film, I built the mechanism and structure of the puppet from PVC Pipe, craft wood, and some hardware springs.
Then, taking cues from the original film, I created the head from a craft store mask (using table tennis balls, hot glue, and modeling dough to build up the features) and newspaper, covering the whole thing in PVA papier-mâché.
After painting the head and dressing it with the cheapest fake hair I could find, the last step was to create the body. I scrapped an old unfinished hand puppet to use the foam for the torso and arms, found a shirt and coat from a thrift store, and made a bow tie with some ribbon from a craft store.
The mask and cross-section of craft wood that served as the foundation for the puppet's head. The facial features have been built up with hot glue, and the lower jaw sectioned off with marker.
The original lower jaw piece. The wooden dowels fit up through slots in the cross-section which limit their movement forward (thus limiting how far the jaw can open). The springs are also looped around these dowels...
The completed puppet. The bowtie was made from two pieces of a red ribbon bought from Joann's.
The mask and cross-section of craft wood that served as the foundation for the puppet's head. The facial features have been built up with hot glue, and the lower jaw sectioned off with marker.
FULL CREDITS
written and performed by
SEAN BECK
WESLEY CURTIS
JOE JOHNSON
LIAH NEUDECKER
SAM NEUHAUS
ALEC RUNGE