Making animals involves surprisingly large amounts of thought, time and labour, as well as expense. The difference between best and worst is only minimal, and largely a matter of planning.
When you finally leave your Side, do you want them to repair and renovate your creation to give it the longest possible life, or sigh with relief and consign it to the back of a garage.
In this section an attempt will be made to show the range of choices that are open to you, and the way in which one decision can effect another. Having got your list of available skills, goods and services, you will he able to bring these into the equation.
Because the famous Betley Window and early paintings and records of Morris in civic processions indicate a connection with tourney horses, the first collectors sought eagerly for survivals. Until recently, revival sides with this class of animal tended to be those of long standing. Lately however, there seems to be a resurgence of interest in the genre. The advantages and problems of size should be apparent and the 'rider' has the opportunity to converse and interact with the crowd. Obviously, it does not provide the anonymity on which many operators rely for their personality-change
Popularity then switched to 2-legged mast beasts, and for several decades they were predominant. A later trend was to use the Carnival Head and Pack-Frame types of mounting. Except for large and heavy fibreglass creations, it is hard to explain this preference unless people think that the mast construction is going to be difficult to make. It seemed almost obligatory for every team to have a beast, so there may be pressure to find new and different animals and people take the easy way out.
I am not saying that helmet and pack-frame mountings are bad, but it is important to be aware of the constraints applying to them, so I will look at the three types in detail.
The pole-mounted head offers by far the greatest range of expression and activity, and is probably essential if you expect to dance vigorously. Even a simple design can be given life and character by a reasonably competent operator, and a good one can give inspired performances. However, heavy heads become tiring.
The pack-frame is best for supporting weight but it, and to a lesser extent, the carnival head mounted on a hat have a limited range of movements and tend to be ponderous and slow. There is less scope for improvisation by the operator, and it is important to understand the corollary. The impact of such beasts comes from their appearance rather than their antics, and it is on this that they will succeed or fail. They must look impressive and this depends mainly on the design and finish of the animal itself - the operator contributes less, although he can mar the effect by inappropriate actions.
Perhaps the pack-frame might be the best carrier for the ultimate in high-tech animals which has everything mechanised and the operator just working switches.
The truth of the much of the above can be demonstrated by analysing the obvious failures which are often only too evident. Strange fibreglassy 'things' drifting aimlessly around the outside of the set, and sad, unhandy creatures with less character than the packing-cases from which they appear to have been so hurriedly fashioned. Personally, I also deplore those 'cuddly toys', which seem to have been discarded from some giants' pram..
There is a wide range of effective 2-legged animals. The extremes can be represented on the one hand by a huge carnival-headed pig which parades most majestically and impressively, and on the other by a rather crude goat with a small super-light head on a very short handle which darts about with lightning movements and a rapidly snapping jaw.
Back to top of section Bases for choice could include local legends or folklore, and the crests or logos of municipalities, titled families or prominent local firms (sponsorship!). Avoid choosing an exotic animal beyond the scope of your available skills. It is better to have a simple beast which works than a fancy one that doesn't.
There is no reason why your creature has to be of any known- or imagined- species. Two hinged planks with balls painted as eyes can become an effective animal owing nothing to reality.
You now need to decide how you are going to make your beast and what techniques and materials you are going to use.
You will require a broad plan which should cover:
Internal Features - Money-eating, Storage for accessories.
Degree of breakdown for packing.
Colour Scheme. Better decided sooner than later.
If any part is likely to deteriorate or wear, provision needs to be made for its easy replacement
Special Effects - lights or noises, smoke, breath blown from the nostrils. Moving parts such as swivelling/waggling ears, controlled tongue, moving eyes/eyelids/eyelashes, etc. etc.
Design/construct everything for strength & long life
ALWAYS ASSUME A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF NEGLECT, MISUSE & ILL-TREATMENT.
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