Now they won’t handle getting soaked, it’s true, but the beautiful thing about mache is that it will flex before breaking. Something like fiberglass with just crack and you don’t know it’s coming until too late. I just did a mache demonstration day before yesterday in which we threw the piece against the wall. It bounced. Danced on it. No damage. Banged it against the corner of the table repeatedly. Which introduced a shallow ding. It rocks. Is dirt-cheap and non-toxic.

Everytime, its amazing how often the work we do is Undervalued by the producers, and directors, or who ever else we have to deal with,Good to hear this was a positive working expierence for you

You, however, seem to underestimate the value of the physical items you use – foam, bandsaw, clay, other shaping tools, paper, ‘glue’ – all which are materials used and require purchasing (at some point). Of course, the bandsaw and clay are yours and can be reused but they sometimes need a new blade or a little more clay.

These things should all be calculated into the costs as well as your time.

Actually, I don’t underestimate them. On larger projects I always include “miscellaneous” line item for things like a stick of hot glue, a bit of paint. On small projects, like this one, where the total materials cost (including amortizing equipment wear) would be less than $5, it doesn’t make sense for me to spend time to make a separate materials invoice. Owning those things already is part of why I charge the rates I do.

I’m always interested in how other people work. How do you charge for the things you already own?

These things should all be calculated into the costs as well as your time. Also, what you should get paid has to do with what the customer can pay and what it is worth to them. Obviously the local high school production is not going to pay a lot, but they won’t get a professional dog.

I would say a custom dog like that should run the theater around 500-1000 USD for time and material. If they want, we could have them made in china out of plastic for 10 dollars each but they’d have to order a minimum of 1000.

I do encourage making your hobby pay. If nothing else, it means that you can buy better toys.

And you’re right. I think I really meant to say that I’m too chicken and lazy to try to do it professionally. Plus I’m lucky in that I like my day job.

But I have toyed with the idea of trying to go more professional, perhaps combine the two jobs in a part-time arrangement. Thanks for the good advice and encouragement.

And thanks for the great dog head breakdown. I work mainly in foam, but I’ve never tried combining it with clay as the base for papier mache. Now I’m feeling all inspired.

It’s like the old joke about the plumber who turns up to fix a busted water heater, spends two minutes with a spanner and charges a hundred dollars. When asked to justify the bill he itemises it thus:
New bolt: $1
Labour: $2
Knowing where to apply both: $97

If the puppet is hurting your back then you need to rebuild it so that it is balanced and doesn’t hurt you. I’ve worked a 125 lb. puppet and I weigh 127. No pain, because it was well-balanced.

Second, I’ve been making a living as a puppeteer for nineteen years. You totally can do this, but it involves educating the people who do the hiring. I’d say that the vast majority of the time when I break the costs down for companies they get it and come up with the money. But yes, you have to put extra effort in to explain it to them.

So if you have a passion for it, start charging what you are worth. You’ll be surprised.

I love the work, but I’ve never considered becoming professional – partly because of the physical effort (my back is always dying after a big puppet job) and partly because I realised early on how hard it would be to make a living. The kinds of prices you would have to charge to cover the labour involved would dissuade most people from hiring you.

It’s a paradox – you can’t make a living because no one can afford you.

Makes a fabulous and fulfilling hobby, though.

Thanks for the detailed description, and the breakdown. I had no idea what it takes for a pro to do this kind of job.

FYI, if you decide to use waterbased clay, make sure you use some sort of resist on the sculpture, like soap or vaseline, to keep the mache from permanently adhering to it.

By the way, not sure what you changed, but I can comment on my iPod again. Which is very helpful; especially at work.

For some reason when I try clicking on a pic, I get redirected to your bio page???

sigh…don’t mean to rant.

These are graphic design prices. The puppet industry could be significantly different. I expect a price between 4 and 6 hundred for a professional, custom made puppet would be fair, though.

The tendancy to undervalue skills and effort/labor seems to be pretty universal among people not directly involved in the craft.