A Jointed Figure made out of a paper soldier. Suppose you have a soldier in some such position as shown in [Fig. 347]. First cut off the legs along the dotted lines shown in the illustration, each leg in two pieces (see A, B, C, and D, [Figs. 347 and 348]). Remove also the hand projecting beyond the body at E. A small piece of cardboard of the same thickness as that upon which the soldiers are printed should be glued to the back of C and D where those pieces were cut into in cutting off the legs (see F, G, and H, [Fig. 348]). When this has been done, pivot A and B to C and D at F and G, and then pivot the ends of C and D at H and I to the hips of the soldier (see [Fig. 346]). Thread should be used for pivoting these pieces together, with knots tied on either end. New arms will have to be made, as those printed upon the body cannot be cut out. These are made in two pieces similar to J and K in [Fig. 348]. You will find it a simple thing to make them and paint the hands flesh color and the sleeves to match the rest of the clothes. Pivot J to K at L and the end of K to the shoulder at M. The arm printed upon the side of the figure should now be painted so as to blend with the color of the coat. The white cardboard glued to the joints should also be painted to correspond with the rest of the body. You will find this method of making a jointed soldier much easier than to attempt to draw, paint, and cut out one of your own design. Figures in other positions can, of course, be jointed in the same manner.
Figs. 346-348. Scheme for making a Jointed Figure.
The movements of a jointed figure are controlled with pieces of silk-thread attached to the hands, feet, and head, as shown in [Fig. 346]. These threads should be carried through the top of the stage framework and loops made in their ends should slip over the fingers of your hands, in which position they can be operated. It will take a little practice beforehand to enable you to work the threads successfully, so you will not be responsible for such laughable performances as making him dance while delivering a farewell address, or leave the scene through the top of the stage during an exciting portion of the play.
In an interior scene, such as [Fig. 343], the jointed figures will have to make their entrées and exits through the passages between the front walls and the proscenium, as the operating cords would interfere with them going through the other openings. The figures which pass through the doors will have to be tacked to the floor laths and shoved across the stage.
All the small movable furnishings of a scene are known as
Stage Properties.—These include such pieces as furniture, boats, carts, and trains.