Marzieh Boroumand, actress, puppeteer, screenwriter and director of TV series

Technical problems can usually be overcome with repetitive exercises. At the Puppet School, students move their character through a series of positions—entering the shot, gazing at the camera, looking toward corners of the frame, tilting the head, and exiting the shot. The exercise is done with a bare hand, to give the teacher a better view of the student’s technique.

Learning the artistry is more difficult. Since puppets are limited in their movements and expressions, convincing an audience that an inanimate strip of felt is alive requires tremendous skill. That means being patient and not rushing the character through a scene, and making sure that its limbs react appropriately to gravity. These small details take a lifetime to master.