hi all
      my name is wayne , i like to make people happy and since retiring due to health issues
i now have the time to build and play with a multitude of little friends. many are given away to the children of our neighborhood or used in the small shows i put on at local retirement homes, right now im studying vent and lip control , and hoping it gets easier as time goes on, having trouble holding lips without moving them.

thank you all......wayne macey

Welcome Wayne to Puppets and Stuff.  Nice to have you aboard!

Don't worry with practice throwing your voice will become easier. It takes a lot of practice in front of a mirror.

Welcome to puppets and Stuff

welcome.  glad your here.

Julie

Hi Wayne, great to have on our forum!!
i have been doing ventriloquism for many many years, but i know that it was tricky getting started, i will say however that it will take a fair bit of practice, but it will just 'click' one day and you will 'feel' it, practice infront of a mirror and also practice holding your mouth in different ways to find out what works best for you, and also so that you can have more expression in your face when performing, i see alot of vent's faces going really stiff and thier jaws lock when they are trying not to move thier lips, whereas, if the little puppet really was talking on his own, then your face would be relaxed and you may smile or frown at times with what he is saying, instead of looking like you have got problems!!!!! make sure you dont clench your teeth and purse your lips, sometimes the best expression is upper teeth gently resting on the backside of the lower lip, it looks relaxed and is very easy to do, but its whatever works best for you!! saying all of this though, the audience only really watch your mouth for the first few moments, then they are misdirected by the puppet moving and talking, so the heat is off for you to make a few mistakes and move your mouth a little, even the top ventriloquists of the world aren't perfect.

we would love to see pictures of some of your little friends some time.

hope you can feel at home on our site!!

Ben.

Hi Wayne, welcome. You'll loads of help here. This is one great community.

Welcome! I too am a ventriloquist and like others havd said PRACTICE is the best way to become more comfortable. As you practice you will discover tricks that work for you when it comes to lip control and sound substitutions. I try to keep my back left teeth together while talking - I know that sounds strange but having had an overbite as a child with years of braces I found that I can bite those teeth together and still allow the sound to get through my teeth and lips and it also allows me to change the expression on my mouth while talking for my puppets so it is more natural. Keep at it and you'll do fine! But remember that you must have good character development too. Perfect lip control and undeveloped character does not a good ventriloquist make! If your characters are engaging a little bit of lip movement will not be noticed! Most of all HAVE FUN!!!

Welcome! I have great respect for all of the many talented ventriloquists out there! I'm sure as the experts here have said it takes lots of practice. Though I've not attempted it myself I'm a big believer in Walt's idea that if you can dream it you can do it. Following your passion is the right first step!