talkmagic.co.uk

Being a member of the British Association of Ventriloquists, I read some sad news today. The Vent News publication reports a considerable reduction in membership. In fact only 40% of members have paid there 2005 subscriptions. It’s also reported that the BAV cannot continue in its current form. The 3 options are:
1) To continue for another year.
2) Close the BAV and encourage remaining members to join ventriloquist organisations in America.
3) Close the BAV and rely on on-line communications only.

The reported loss of members from the BAV saddened me. The BAV is there for ventriloquists, no matter their level of experience or expertise. But equally without the active involvement/participation/interest of us as individuals then there is NO point in the existence of a British Association of Ventriloquists.

I don’t want the BAV to fizzle out. Why should I have to join an association overseas? Not that there’s anything wrong with that of course, but I want to belong to a group of likeminded people in my own country. Should the worst come to the worst, then I’d rather Vent news be reduced to 3 copies per year for 2006 and the BAV continue for another year (hoping that it will all be revived) However, I would like to add that I have a firm rooted passion for this art and am not happy just to say nothing as it appears to slowly slip down the plughole.

Here’s one thought: The decline in membership may be because people feel they are not getting enough out of the BAV? The world we live in today seems to be one filled with high expectations. One expects a maximum return for minimal input. It seems we want everything at as low cost as possible, but expect MORE for our money.
Maybe when people joined they were expecting more? Its time to be Frank and Honest. For without this honesty now, the BAV will become extinct. We can prevent this from happening. Lets all throw our hats into the ring and tell each other what we want out of the BAV. What do you want it to do for you? There’s an old saying. If you don’t ask you don’t get. So lets hear everyone ask for what it is they want. No-one is going to be ridiculed or persecuted. We are all entitled to our own opinions. As members of the same organisation we must be respectful & listen to the opinions of others. Lets have everyone’s thoughts, List all the suggestions, & lets all work as a team to see how those things could be achieved. It may turn out that there is more that the BAV can do for you. But if you’re going to stay quiet and say nothing, then there is very little it can do. And if that’s the case, there is no point in its existence.

That brings me to my second thought: Apathy. Maybe people don’t really care about ventriloquism. Maybe people no longer have the passion for its creativity and art form. Maybe even the ventriloquists themselves no longer rate it as a credible form of entertainment. Maybe that’s why the decline in membership. . . I do hope I am wrong!

Thought three: Maybe Ventriloquism is no longer seen as the “in thing” to be associated with. It’s not seen as “trendy”, unlike “close up magic”. Maybe vents today feel they are associated with some Fuddy Duddy art form that had its sense of awe, wonder & popularity between the 40’s & late 70’s. Where did that sparkle go? Everyone wants to keep up with the latest fashions. It seems there’s a certain “aura” surrounding those doing close up magic. Maybe its cooler to be a magician than a vent? Saying that I know a rising star in the magic world who is concerned at the decline in his bookings. His words: “No one seems to want a magician anymore… they’ve seen so much magic on TV over the years that they’ve been magicked out”. Worrying for him. Especially as he makes his living as a magician. Even more so considering that this guy is extremely talented, technically perfect, and a fantastic entertainer. He’s even had television appearances! As a magician, he has noticed a decline in bookings. On the other hand as a ventriloquist, I have noticed an increase in bookings. People are booking me BECAUSE of my ventriloquism and puppets. Maybe he is right. Maybe I’m getting the bookings because I offer something different? However, although I am experiencing this rise in trend, the rest of the world remains oblivious to it. Why? Because its not on the TV. Unlike Magic, the media are not concentrating on giving Ventriloquists a positive image, well not Yet!
What will all those apathetic vents do when Ventriloquism becomes trendy again? Will they jump on the bandwagon? How about being in the driving seat and actually doing something to make it a popular form of entertainment? Oh and I firmly believe that it will become trendy again. It’s just a matter of time. Who knows, maybe someone reading this will soon be riding the crest of the wave which actually takes them towards the fame & fortune; equally sparking the “trend, passion & proof of ventriloquism as a credible entertainment again”.

The BAV is in desperate need of support. If you are a ventriloquist, no matter how new to the art or experienced at it you are, the British Association of Ventriloquists is there for YOU. It is there to offer support, advice and put you in contact with other Ventriloquists so you will never feel like you’re “all alone”. Without the support of ventriloquists like you, the BAV will cease to exist. And if it doesn’t exist it can’t support you.

PM me If you would like details of how to join.

Best Wishes
Puppet Man

First of all, when it comes to this subject, I am totally ignorant, so I may ask a really stupid question. Anyway, here goes...

I am interested in becoming a ventriloquist. If I understand ventriloquism in the simplest form, it's about talking without making your mouth move, while creating the illusion, if you will, that a doll (dummy?) is doing the talking.

Now, some sounds simply cannot be made, or so it seems to me, without moving one's mouth.

Does a ventriloquist actually make such seemingly impossible sounds without moving his mouth?

Is it possible to learn to do this? If so, how long does it take?

Are some people born with the ability to do this?

Do ventriloquists ever employ tricks or gimmicks to create the illusion that the dummy is doing the talking?

Is it politically correct to say dummy?

Dave

dave I'm not a ventuiliquist as has been pointed out by more learned people than me but i will try to answer some of your questions untill you get a fuller explanation from those more experienced than i.

Now, some sounds simply cannot be made, or so it seems to me, without moving one's mouth. correct

Does a ventriloquist actually make such seemingly impossible sounds without moving his mouth? yes vowels like m are replaced with n and b with v, eg if you say vote but stress the ote you will get a sound close to boat.

Is it possible to learn to do this? If so, how long does it take? that depends on your latent skill but expect it to take months to get the basics and a year to get proficient same as you would for any other slieght.

Are some people born with the ability to do this? yes but almost anyone can learn just like any sport, football for example.

Do ventriloquists ever employ tricks or gimmicks to create the illusion that the dummy is doing the talking? yes but uts frownd upon, that said mike technique is important for stage work.

Is it politically correct to say dummy? as far as i know it ok, most practisioners would call the dummy by its name though.

Thanks MagicDiscoMan.
Dave

Are some people born with the ability to do this? yes but almost anyone can learn just like any sport

I can see it now... Ventriloquism in the 2012 Olympics

Yes, but there will be 50 people shouting 'Ready, Steady, Go' and none of them will be talking

I wouldn't trust the dummys to pass the drug tests:)

Dummy's really freak me out. They look evil!



~Sym~

Hi Chaps.. Sorry for the delay.. Had a hectic peroid in the personal life preventing me from getting online...

OK in answer to those questions... which by the way aren't stupid! there's no such thing as a stupid question...


Does a ventrilouist actually make such seemingly impossible sounds without moving his mouth?
Is it possible to learn to do this? If so, how long does it take?

The vent does indeed make these sounds whilst TRYING not to move his lips.

Are some people born with the ability to do this? [/b]

not that I know of... I think when we were all born, we all opened and closed our mouths while we learned to talk... none of us kept our lips still i think!
Do ventriloquists ever employ tricks or gimmicks to create the illusion that the dummy is doing the talking?

some people use gimicks like getting the puppet to talk while they themselves apparently drink a glass of milk/water/whiskey... But the only real purpose that serves is to show off ones "technical ability". Lets face it, Everyone knows puppets aren't actually real, so for people to go to those extremes kind of detracts from the idea of art of ventriloquism, which is about ENTERTAINING... what would you be more excited over... the man who made the puppet talk while drinking a glass of water.. or the man who's puppet was so full of mischief that you laughed through most of the show.

Is it politically correct to say dummy?
Dummy, puppet, Doll... I don't think anyone really cares... Dummy is an old american derivative which has stuck for some reason as far as vent figures are concerned.... Some vents get the hump over such things.. but there are far more serious things in life to be concerned with... like should i have Indian or Chinese... Pizza or Burger... Beer or Wine?

Best Wishes

Puppet man

Puppet Man,

Thank you for the reply. I'm a little confused now. I read a web page that a seemingly disgruntled former ventriloquist wrote (www.brownielocks.com/ventriloquism.html). She wrote that the troublesome letters are: B, F, M, P, Q, V and W. She also stated this: I hate to disappoint you but there is absolutely no way you can say those above letter [sic] without moving your lips.

Are you saying that it is possible to make these sounds without moving your lips?

Thanks for the offer to train me. The problem is that I am quite a drive from Suffolk. Actually, it's a drive, a flight over the Pacific Ocean, then another drive. (I am in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.)

Dave

Yep U R a way away!!!


The lady is right.. they are the troublesome letters. But YES it is possible to make those sounds without moving your lips. I guess she never knew the technique I use (I'm self taught by the way as there were no books/vids on the subject when i started) But I'm aware lots of vents use the same technique...


best wishes



Not bad at all!

If you have any more hints I'm sure many people will be happy to hear them, even just for the novelty value!

Puppet Man,

Thanks for that explanation. I would welcome your notes, but only if you don't have to type them up just for me. Perhaps you should consider writing a book about ventriloquism.

I'm still not convinced that you can make the 'f' sound by making a 'th' sound. Okay, maybe you can get close.

I wonder if there's a language in the world that does not use those troublesome lip-moving sounds, so every native speaker is a vent (except for the humor part).

I'm going to have to take this slowly. I'm trying to build my skills as an amateur magician while working a regular job and starting a technology training company. I am interested both in magic and ventriloquism because of my business (see http://www.saturdayseminars.com). My plan is to make my computer-programming courses the most interesting in the world by incorporating humor, stories, games, music, and magic in the classes. One day I thought, "Wouldn't it be a novel idea to pull out a doll and have a conversation with it in class?" It could be a Bill Gates look-alike who argues with me about everything. I doubt that anybody has ever done that in the history of the world of computer training.

If you have something to email me, send it to: dave.schultz@saturdayseminars.com

Thanks again for your help.

By the way, if you are 31, then I'm sure there were books about ventriloquism around when you started. Maybe you just did not know about them.

thanks thor sharing that with us Pupper Man, I thound it thascinating.



I love the new avatar btw

bananafish...Glad you found the post Thasinating. The Avatar is borrowed from a 'captured' moment! "I like the way you're thinking!" I think the audience liked it too!

I'll be honest with you... there is NO EASY way to develop the ventriloquists technical skills. So, if that's what you were looking for then be disapointed now. You better look for a way of working your Bill Gates puppet in silence! Maybe he could have his mouth stuffed with windows XP.


Good luck to you for trying to do all that you mentioned above! And all at the same time... I hope you pull it off.

By the way, if you are 31, then I'm sure there were books about ventriloquism around when you started. Maybe you just did not know about them.

Yes there were books around, but I never knew about them at the time. Mainly cos I never had internet access! My WH Smiths never really stocked up on "puppet" books... They steered more towards the 'Enid Blyton' range!

Best Wishes

Puppet Man