Anyone here know about ventriliquism?

[Misjief]

Hi All-

Things are slow so I thought I describe my latest project for a dummy I am making for a Blue (adult) Revue.

First off a general question regarding some good sources for ventriloquism... Know of any off hand?

I started with the project by molding a Charlie McCarthy doll and heavily modifying it. I put elf ears on, lengthened the nose (like a combination Pinocchio / tree branch) and put a bird nest complete with wood pecker on top for a hat. I used a green tissue paper for majority of the head but for the face I left the raw paper bag. The end effect looks like chocolate colored carved wood.

I am not sure what I was going for. He looks like the end result of a threesome between a crazy dark elf, a wild dryad and Pinocchio. I made him especially for a blue revue show I am hoping to join. So I was looking for something that I could be somewhat provocative with...

"Hay Lady? Haven't you ever seen a wood pecker before?"

Anyways the best costume I have been able to conjure up so far is akin to a Yoda like robe with a rope belt and black boots. I found a tan fabric covered with autumn leaves that may work well.

The bird will be able to move up and down and swivel - the idea being that while 'Ferngurgi' always lies, 'Hammer' never does, so they visibly contradict one another constantly. Again, this is for a blue Adult show - so I am thinking about running a rubber hose up the control arm for 'Hammer" so he can shoot bird poop (water) at me mostly - but hecklers beware. I am worried the rubber tube may gum up the works - so I may run it up and out the side of 'gurgi's' head rather then actually try to work it within hammers rather delicate body. I will just aim hammer appropriately and people will assume hammer was the source of the spray.

I am having problems with the controls to work the mouth. I thought it would be easy but it turned out to be more of a challenge then I expected. Oops! LOL! The basic idea is the jaw is wired shut with a spring and a string pulls a lever to open it. The string goes up over a pulley and then down a control rod to end within the body. I am alright with that piece of it. But the actual activator is troubling me. What I envisioned was a trigger that I could pull with my index finger but I can't seem to come up a design that I like. The biggest problem is the easiest designs tend to "release" rather then "pull". I guess I could put in yet another pulley but that seems like a lot of work. Any ideas?

I asked a friend to bring a camera to work but we keep missing each other! Sooner or later I will have some pictures for you!

-misj-

[haroldross]

misj-

I don't have anything to offer here. The last time I messed around with 'ventriloquism' was during high school. I can still 'throw my voice' but have not used that skill in any performances.

If I were to built a 'dummy' these days, I would go high-tech. I would use servo-motor control for mouth, eyes, and head movement. Going one step farther down this path, I would use RF (radio frequency) remote control. I know that this is getting away from the 'classic dummy' but the new possibilities are endless.

[Misjief]

H-

I really enjoyed put this guy together but making the custom parts for the controls was rather tiresome and I probably would have been easier to go hi-tech but I don't have the funds for it at the moment.

I got the controls for the jaw to work very nicely - I was surprised how well it worked once I got it all installed but I am not sure I will have the room and clearance to pull off the bird controls. So that is the next challenge. LOL

I will get back to you on it.

I went with the dummy because the show I want to join already had a hypnotist and a magi but lacked a ventriloquist. LOL Basically they teach you the ART of entertainment to you if you have something to offer in the way of their show. So I am hoping to get in with them so I can hang with their already established magi and hypnotist ... The cute girls are just gravy!

My friends say the bird poop idea is a tad over the top - but the show is pretty risque so I dunno. Part of the point is to get me out of my shell but that may be overdoing it. I think a large part of being successful in such a show is to know exactly where (and when) the ever shifting lines are.


-misj-

[haroldross]

misj-
I do hope that they can find a way to use you. It will be great for you to be around them.

Maybe your dummy can do 'magic' tricks. Or the dummy could be your 'lovely' assistant.

What venues do they perform?

[Misjief]

H-

It is a burlesque show! They have a dancing girl come out and then a variety act and then another dancing girl. LOL Before and after the show is a big free for all where the performers wander among the crowd. I just want to get paid to learn ( and party) lol.

-misj-