Welcome to Pubbet Magic 101 – a step-by-step series for absolute beginners who want to unlock the magic of puppetry.

In this first episode, master puppeteer Brian Zimmerman (aka ZimZam Puppet Man) introduces one of the most important foundational skills: puppet posture.

🎙️ What Is a Puppet, Really?

“A puppet is any inanimate object given the illusion of life.”
– Brian Z.

That’s the true magic of puppetry - not just wiggling a toy, but bringing it to life through motion, character, and connection.

And where does that start? With posture.

🧍♂️ Posture = Presence

Your puppet’s posture tells the audience that it’s real, that it has its own thoughts and personality.

Without good posture, your puppet will look limp, distracted, or lifeless.
With good posture, it instantly comes alive - even before it speaks!

✅ Puppet Posture Tips

• Keep the spine straight. Don’t let it slouch or lean.

• Level the head with yours. Especially when performing up close.

• Think of your puppet as a person. Give it space and presence.

• Stay aware. Posture often fades when your arm gets tired!

🎭 Two Common Puppetry Settings

1. One-on-One or Close-Up Performance

• Hold the puppet at eye level with yourself.

• Maintain natural interaction - look at the puppet, and let it “look” back at you.

2. Stage Performance

If your puppet is behind a stage:

• Avoid sinking (letting the puppet drop too low as you tire).

• Avoid floating (raising it too high so it looks like it’s levitating).

• Keep your arm hidden and positioning consistent.

🧠 Quick Recap

• ✔ Straight spine

• ✔ Head level with yours

• ✔ No leaning, flopping, or floating

• ✔ Adjust for setting (close-up vs stage)

• ✔ Stay alert and aware throughout the performance

As Brian says:

“You’ve got to really think about where your puppet is, who it’s interacting with, and how it fits into the scene.”

🛠 Practice Exercise: Mirror Match

This simple drill will help lock in good posture habits.

🎯 “Mirror Match” Practice

1. Stand in front of a mirror.

2. Hold your puppet up at eye level.

3. Watch the puppet’s posture - is it upright and alert?

4. Run through a short conversation with your puppet.

5. Maintain that strong posture throughout the scene.

🎥 Bonus tip: Record yourself and review the footage. It’s the best way to see what your audience sees.