I previously mentioned that I had submitted myself for the upcoming 4th National Puppetry & Animatronics Summit, taking place here in Melbourne (Australia) in July. Yesterday I received news that one of my proposals was accepted!

So this year I’ll miss two big festivals (UNIMA 2012 and the Tarrengower Puppet Festival), but I’ll be able to go to a least one event - it’ll be 3 years between the Summit and my last festival attendance. Ever since the Summit was announced I was keen to attend, and though I didn’t think I’d have the funds, an early birthday present has allowed me to plan for it anyway.

Now you may be asking, “what’s this proposal you sent in?” Sadly, it is a super-secret project. It’s entirely dependent on getting some custom materials, so I don’t even know if I’d be ready in time if they’re not available. Suffice to say it’s highly experimental but should allow me to showcase some of the new Puppets in Melbourne designs that I’ve been working on. … And no, it’s nothing that’s been posted here on the blog before.

The proposal was accepted for a work-in-progress ‘clinic’, designed to allow you to present puppetry for criticism and improvement. Although I’m not happy performing myself, it’s something that I’ll have to put up with in order to receive feedback on a specific and unique design idea. I’ve also been informed that an American puppeteer will be on hand for provision of feedback; which makes two notable overseas people who will be special guests. The whole thing is quite exciting and I’m really looking forward to it now - even if I’m not interested in criticism as a performer, I do look forward to another great opportunity to be amongst my peers.

I already have a script idea sorted, and have begun research for it, some of which I’ll likely reveal on the blog in the future: it’s the puppet design which is super-secret, not the performance itself. As there is four months between now and the Summit, it shouldn’t impact too much in continuing progress of the other puppet designs. I’m not saying it won’t be a tight squeeze, but since the submission to the Summit doesn’t have to be polished, it’s ok - nay, necessary - that not everything is finished to perfection.

Since I will be in attendance at the Summit, I thought I would do my festival habit and ‘live blog’ the whole thing. Especially since it’ll be in my home town, making it easier to get internet/computer access. The full program hasn’t been released yet, but when it is I’ll be able to decide on an itinerary which will be used as a reference for the liveblogging.