Mouth and Eye Movements in Costumes: Innovative Techniques for Professional Performances

The Evolution of Costuming Techniques in Live Performances

When performers need to interact with an audience while wearing elaborate costumes, achieving realistic mouth and eye movements is essential for maintaining the authenticity of the performance. This article explores the methods used by professional performers in shows like Sesame Street and Disney attractions to create seamless and lifelike movements, even when their hands are outside the costume.

Simple Techniques with Air Pumps

The simplest method of achieving mouth and eye movements involves the use of air pumps or small mechanical devices. This technique is prominently used in the Sesame Street stage show costumes. Here, a performer can control the opening and closing of the mouth by operating a hand-held pump. However, to ensure the natural look of the characters, a notable limitation of this method is that the fingers controlling the mouth movements are generally in a static position, often described as "dead" fingers.

Robotics and Pre-Programmed Movements

Disney takes a more advanced approach to mouth and eye movements through the incorporation of robotics. In Disney animated stage shows, the heads of the characters are equipped with robotic mechanisms similar to those found in Audio Animatronics. These mechanisms are pre-programmed and synchronized with the audio track, allowing for intricate and realistic movements. This technology enables characters to react dynamically to prompts and keeps the audience engaged.

Handling Unconventional Challenges

Despite the advanced technology, there are still scenarios where performers must navigate the limitations of their hand positions. For example, during meet-and-greets, characters often have several pre-recorded audio tracks to follow. These tracks can be adapted to respond to audience interaction, but they also tend to lead the conversation, often in creative ways. As demonstrated in the video, a character might hijack the conversation with an engaging story, like a lion safari adventure.

Alternative Control Methods

To maintain flexibility and control, some performers use additional techniques such as:

Indirect Control: One hand may be fake, while the real hand is hidden inside the costume to control the mouth and eyes. Foot Controls: Select performers use foot pedals or other mechanical devices to control the movements.

This ensures that the movements appear natural and synchronized with the performance, even when the hand is visible and could be a distraction.

Conclusion: Innovation in Costuming

Whether through air pumps, robotics, or innovative control techniques, the goal of these methods is always to create realistic and engaging mouth and eye movements. These techniques, while varied, all contribute to the success of live performances, allowing characters to connect with audiences in a more authentic and captivating way.