Contracted by Production Resource Group, L.L.C., (PRG), Stage Technologies teams in the UK, the US and Australia worked closely with Global Creature Technology to supply the automation system which controls the eponymous ape. The automation package includes over 12 tonnes of steelwork, motors, winches, and cable management systems, which give the Kong puppet its sweeping movements; enable it to lift and rotate; and allow it to travel up, down and across the stage. The on-board winches control the height and rotation of the body, and allow Kong to fly in, leap, gallop, stand, etc.
Sharp-eyed audience members will notice the three lines on each of the Kong puppet's shoulders. Multiple lines bridle down to each shoulder, giving them independent up and down movement and manoeuvring Kong forwards and backwards within the space of the apparatus. Optional lines can also be connected to Kong's posterior or tummy to allow the body to be rolled in either direction.
In addition to the winch apparatus, two point hoists have been built into the false proscenium, which bring the ape directly to the front of the stage where he roars out at the house.
Using the Sculptor toolkit, Stage Technologies worked closely with the creative team to mock up a pre-visualisation that would serve to visually communicate the puppet's movements to the various production departments. Then, a relatively simple 'baseline' plot for motion was programmed into the Acrobat desk, to which the puppeteers could add live embellishments and react in real time with the actors on the stage. The resulting 'overlaid' joystick control greatly simplified the plotting process, and ensured that the automation team could react to the subtle nuances of the human actors without a massive impact or the necessity of replotting during valuable technical rehearsal time.
(Jim Evans)
