The dinosaur shoulder puppet carried on the actor’s shoulders is a new product that we have upgraded from the baby dinosaur puppet (0.8 – 1 meter in body length). It has an advantage over the baby puppet in terms of immersion, namely its larger size (2.5-3 meters in length) and more menacing dinosaur facial features, which make the audience’s physiological experience more thrilling.

In recent years, our dinosaur shoulder puppets have been favored by operators of performances, business events, and stages due to their more competitive prices and portability. The sales volume exceeded 100 units. Here we will focus on elaborating on what its advantages are and whether it can bring benefits to your operation or performance.

QUICK FACTS:

#1. Lightweight & convenience
#2. Be easy to carry
#3. Simulate the movements and sounds of real dinosaurs
#4. Be easy to integrate into plots from living theatre or kids play
#5. Shorter production time
#6. Single actor can operate the puppet to perform

1. Lightweight & convenience

In terms of size, we usually make more or less 2.5 meters long dinosaur puppets. If a long-necked dinosaur puppet is to be made, the size would generally be around 3 meters to 3.5 meters. Therefore, the dinosaur puppet weight carried on the shoulders was effectively controlled, usually ranging from 5 to 10 kilograms. Basically, an ordinary female actor can also handle this task with ease, engaging in interactive performances with the audience without any pressure.

Why is it lightweight & convenience?

• The entire dinosaur had a mechanical steel frame structure only in its head, while the rest of its body was made of sponge and silicone materials.
• If the client still wants to lose a few more pounds, we can replace the silicone material with fabric for the body and skin.

2. Be easy to carry

The puppet weight is approximately only 5 to 10 kilograms, so it is relatively easy for an adult to move it around. It is precisely cit can be easily carried and moved that this doll has a broader range of performance attributes and stage flexibility.

The method of carrying:

• Just carry it on the shoulders. This is the most effortless mode.
• Hold it in your hands as well.

3. Simulate the movements and sounds of real dinosaurs

The internal steel structure of the puppet can accommodate a mini speaker, and it is also equipped with a custom-made sound effect activation button. By pressing this button, it can produce the sound effects of a small dinosaur’s roar or cry. Moreover, the actor’s hands can control the mechanical transmission mechanism of the puppet’s head to simulate the real movements of dinosaur, such as blinking, opening the mouth, and turning the neck, etc.

What kinds of movements and sounds can it simulate?

• Eyes blinking
• Mouth opening & closing
• Neck swaying
• Tail swaying
• The adult dinosaur roars
• The adult dinosaur moans
• little dinosaur cries

NOTIFICATION: The dynamic of the dinosaur doll also depends on the actual control methods used by the actors. A good dinosaur-themed performance requires not only long-term practice by the actors but also a compelling storyline.

4. Be easy to integrate into plots from living theatre or kids play

The portability and ease of operation of the puppet make it particularly suitable for living theatre or kids play. Just one adult actor, carrying a dinosaur, with an outstanding performance of interaction between humans and dinosaurs (such as fighting, dialogue, etc.), can be integrated into a stage play themed around dinosaurs or the Jurassic period.

Why is it easy to integrate?

• It is lightweight and small in size, allowing the actor to carry it and adapt it to the plot development and the performance.
• Only one theatre actor is needed to operate it, and the human resources required are not high either.
• The screenwriter can easily write the appropriate scenes and timing for its appearance based on its portability feature. Moreover, as the props number increases or changes, its performance duration can be randomly increased or decreased.
• The actors operating it only need 5 to 10 minutes of performance time to quickly capture the audience’s attention. It is an excellent visual experience prop.

5. Shorter production time

A 2.5 to 3 meters long dinosaur shoulder prop can be basically completed within 15 days. The purchaser can quickly put it to performance wroks. During the production process, the purchasers can also think about and plan how to incorporate this little dinosaur into a living theatre or commercial event.

Production steps:

• Fabricate a dinosaur head’s steel structure with a transmission device
• Wrap the steel structure with high-density sponge
• Carve the little dinosaur shape onto the sponge
• Create the little dinosaur skin texture on the sponge
• Apply silicone evenly onto the textured sponge
• Apply the three-layer fiber socks evenly onto the sponge smeared silicon gel
• Use oil paints and gasoline for spray painting the lifelike or cartoon skin colors
• The staff tests the dinosaurs movements and sound effects

6. Single actor can operate the puppet to perform

This product is operated through hand-operation to work its movements and sound effects, and it only requires one performer to operate. It does not consume too much human resources. Instead, it can even serve as an activity prop for professionals specializing in roles such as “actors”, “COSERS”, and “street performers”, thereby enabling them to earn income through performances. When the actors appear before the audience with dinosaur puppets on their shoulders, people will exclaim “The trainer who tames the dinosaurs” and will also be interested in observing how humans interact with the dinosaurs.

Conclusion

This small dinosaur doll that can be carried on an actor’s shoulders is not only compact and portable, but also a low-cost yet high-reward product themed around dinosaurs. The performance that manipulates it is suitable for audiences of all ages to enjoy. If you want to create a program similar to “Dinosaur Adventure” with a low investment, this is definitely your ideal choice.