Hi,
  I have just discovered this site, along with a fascination with ventriloquism! So Ive seen some patterns Im interested in - namely from project puppet. I was wondering if these designs lend themselves to being a vent puppet well, or not. Has anyone done this or or do most people on this site use puppets in the traditional sense?
Many thanks for any replies, Ben

I'm not entirely sure what you mean, but i am a ventriloquist and have been using puppets for about 15 years as opposed to ventriloquists dolls/dummy's. are you asking whether the patterns and the puppets you can create with them can be used for ventriloquism? if so, then yes of course, sorry if i have misinterpreted what you are asking!!

Oh, just thought, if im reading this right, then i have made puppets in the past with projectpuppet's patterns and performed ventriloquism using them, its all down to what you make and how well it works, after all, if the mouth doesnt move intime with the voice, the illusion is lost, however, saying that, ventriloquism can be done with aslmost anything, its the manipulation of the 'thing' that creates the illusion of life and personality.

Famous magician Harry Blackstone once said 'Magicians are actors playing the part of magicians, but ventriloquists are magicians playing the part of two or more charectors, the ability to give life to an innanimate object is truly magic'

I just know you are going to have fun with making a puppet, if you need any help with any of this, including advice on ventriloquism, the dont hesitate to ask me, im quite friendly honest!!

Oh, just thought, if im reading this right, then i have made puppets in the past with projectpuppet's patterns and performed ventriloquism using them, its all down to what you make and how well it works, after all, if the mouth doesnt move intime with the voice, the illusion is lost, however, saying that, ventriloquism can be done with aslmost anything, its the manipulation of the 'thing' that creates the illusion of life and personality.

Famous magician Harry Blackstone once said 'Magicians are actors playing the part of magicians, but ventriloquists are magicians playing the part of two or more charectors, the ability to give life to an innanimate object is truly magic'

I just know you are going to have fun with making a puppet, if you need any help with any of this, including advice on ventriloquism, the dont hesitate to ask me, im quite friendly honest!!

Cool, where do you live? I could do with a few tips and ideas I think as I have only been practicing while Ive been driving around. I think I can say quite a lot convinvinly without moving my mouth - but its not as good as some! I just need a puppet now! Do you think I should buy a cheap ready made puppet so I can get a feel for how the whole thing is put together? Thanks, Ben

Thats so funny, i practice whilst im driving too, it will definately get you speaking without moving your lips if you are driving in the car relaxed and with no-one else about to see how silly you look!! thats how it is with me!! i think that you could buy a ready made puppet, but if its to practice with, then a sock will do just the same job with some elastic bands around it to give it a mouth, but if you are thinking of buying a puppet to see how its made, then that might not be such a good idea, as all puppets are different, and not neccasarily made well, also some are quite restrictive, i know that i prefer a puppet that has a mouth that easily opens and closes, a fabric neck that allows flexibility and turning, eyes that are carefully focused (both pointing forward, this in itself can make or break a charector, unless the puppet needs to have crossed eyes, etc..) and over all, a puppet that looks good and feels good to operate, some of these puppet you can purchase can be very cheaply made and the fabric might be horrible with all the seams showing and stitching on display.

i live in nottingham, where do you live??

do you have a book on ventriloquism or are you just trying to figure it out on your own?? its not all a gottle of gear and all that, if you need something proper to read, then ill see what i can do!!

Have fun.

Please dont say you live in long eaton coz that would be too freaky. We just went away for the weekend and the guy who was running the hotel told us he used to live on the same street as us! How peculiar!
No, I have been looking at a few sites, the axtell learning centre gave me some good info about the placement of the tongue for certain sounds. P words are eluding me at the moment. Ive been having fun looking a loads of videos on youtube. When I was young, I used to love orville - and I have only just realised that Keith harris is a ventriloquist! LOL

I also am a ventriloquist and I too practice in the car while driving!! I have taken the Maher course - the best there is!! Keep practicing!!

sounds like you are well on your way to becoming a ventriloquist, 'P' isnt too bad, i make a 'T' placement, but behind my teeth instead of higher up and i almost pronounce it as a 'TH' sound, but very softly, this sounds weird, but with practice it is all so easy and natural, but be aware that although you can learn the methodology, everyone is different and you might find it easier in your own way, no-one can tell you what works for you!!

I live in woodthorpe near arnold, but will be moving to sheerwood soon, im not entirely sure where long eaton is, but if it is close enough, we could always meet up for a coffee or something, just a though, no offence taken if not!!

hope you enjoy your wrap around monster!!

Well, sadly, I've been very bust doing other things since my monster arrived. I've spent a lot of time watching videos on YouTube. I like Nina Conti especially. I haven't done much in the way of anything practical. So still haven't got to grips with B, G, or P. stupidly I feel embarrassed when my girlfriend asks me to say things using ventriloquism. Really really stupid as I'm a performer! (musician, and occaisional singer!)

If anyone is around my area (recently moved to Ilkeston, Derbyshire) and wouldn't mind sharing a few tips n pointers, I wouldn't be adverse to buying you a pint.

Many thanks, Ben

Well Mujician, i actually live in Nottingham, not too far from you in derby, so id be happy to meet up at some point and chat about ventriloquism, just tell me when and we can go forward from there!!

Don't feel embarrassed about how well you can do vent tho, it does take a while and i still get a little embarrassed when people just ask me off the cuff to speak without moving my lips, it really is much easier with a puppet on your arm to do it, like the thing is talking for itself and takes on a personality, that is generally where my puppets characters come from.

if we did meet up, it is much easier learning how to do ventriloquism with someone else and i could teach you all the little tips and tricks that i have come up with to make it easier.

Essentially B is just pronouncing D with your tongue in the position you would put it in to say TH,also when you say a word with G in it, you simply need to pronounce the letter with your tongue further back in your mouth, and P is just a T with your tongue pronouncing it softly on the upper teeth, sort of like a soft TH, but as i say, i can teach you all the things you need to know face to face easier, its not as hard as it seems and is much simpler to explain rather than to describe in words, as i can SHOW you what i mean!!!

Ive just realised that i have repeated myself, sorry about that, anyway, tell me what you think!!!

Jeezbo.