ENDA Episode 164→ The time when ENDA shares his Production’s Diary (Part 8)

Would you believe me if I told you that one of the most challenging projects I ever faced involved marionettes? Better yet, would you believe me if I told you that all the marionettes were handmade by people who had never built one before?

It was the second semester of our fourth year, and we were given a new challenge: to create a television entertainment programme. We were a team of eight. 

The concept we came up with was ambitious, a show hosted by marionettes that would satirise the most common formats of national television. The idea thrilled us, but there was one obvious obstacle: we had to make our own marionettes.

So, alongside preparing all the documentation and rehearsal materials typical of any production, we also had to learn the fascinating process of building marionettes from scratch.

From sourcing affordable materials to constructing skeletons, shaping bodies, designing facial anatomy, and ensuring proper manoeuvrability for the puppeteers, everything had to be done by us.

Those most skilled in crafts led the charge in the making of the marionettes, while the rest of us, with average or no crafting ability, took on support roles such as buying materials, holding props, assisting, or handling other production tasks.

They were incredibly demanding months, where we had to squeeze out every last drop of creativity we had.

The results?

For a first attempt, the marionettes turned out remarkably well. We even grew fond of the youngest one of the bunch: Elton Tito.

Despite the complications, the programme was a success at the final presentation. Looking back now, and knowing how little budget we had, it still feels almost unreal that we pulled it off. But we did.

The lesson? 

Some challenges seem impossible, until you overcome them. Then you realise they were never impossible, only difficult. 

And looking back, you know you can take on similar challenges again. It’s a lesson I would have to relearn when I later set sail on these new waters.

The journey continues...