Selberg Studios

I have already mentioned the Selberg Studios as the makers of the Danny O'Day replica. but I came accros this video on youtube and thought I might add it.

A Little Help

I saw this posted in one of the threads on the Learn Ventrioquism forum. It is for a hot tea that is suppose to sooth the throat. It was discribed as an ... acquired taste. What can I say ... good thing I'm fond of licorice.

LESSON 4

The Voice

The fourth lesson is the voice. Since you have already started to create your character, the next step is to create the voice. Tom nudges you by giving options and things to think about. Voices need to not only fit the figure but be different enough to seperate you into two indiviguals.

 

Tom also gives us bonus material that touches on catch phrases.

 

One a personal note. I feel that this will be my biggest obsticale to me becoming a compident ventriloquist. Almost two years ago, I had a thyroidectimy. The doctor that extracted my thyroid said that normally there is no perminant damage to vocal chords. It was a long procedure taking much longer than anticipated. The next morning when the doctors made their rounds, The Surgeon, in a stern voice, admonished me for not imforming him that my vocal chords are forward. I replied best as I could in the socratic meathod, "How would I know" He replied asking me that no one had told me. "No ... it never came up in conversation."

 

Because of this my voice is a little ... raspy ... and limits my vocal range. Before I was able to do a pretty good imatation of Mickey Mouse. If fact I was fairly well know for at work. Once I checked in a family where Little Billy, accused his family of lieing. He had been promised that he would see Mickey Mouse. No Mickey, but Little Billy was pitching a fit. He had long past gone from pink to red to purple. I got on a house phone  and called the room and asked for them to put Little Billy on. The parents going down the hallway saw me and stopped and stared as I conversed with Billy. He was thrilled and said that "Mickey talked him and no one else." He settled down. My reward ... his parents stiffed me.

 

I may be limited by voice but then who knows ... this might even help. 





Ken Groves' "Create a Character"

Dizzy from South Austrailia on the Learn Ventriloquism Forum posted about a book(?) from ventrioquist, Ken Groves. Apparently he saw it on,so far, the only master class that Tom has in the offering. I am unsure what it intails but the title is "Create a Character." This treatis might be of some use even on some crossover projects. Thanks for the heads up Diz!!!

http://www.kengroves.com/resources.php

Course Review

Here is an excelent review by www.howtobeaventriloquist.com

Lesson 3

Lesson 3 is an interesting justapostion. Usually this is subject is covered much later if at all. Tom talks about the various types of puppets and figures. He warns of the impulse buy and stresses starting from a concept of character. Begining with a direction and then finding or building that character.

I bought an Axtell chicken puppet from ebay. It was a great deal. Good price ... good shape. I have a concept that stems from from a concept of a cartoon that I had incorperated into another cartoon.It wasn't defined at all. It still isn't defined. I'm unsure of one of which direction I need to go and will have to develop through experimentation.






One thing that is not been covered has been the creation of character and if there is a limitation in those choices. Can you paint yourself into a corner? For example I have been looking at Kenny Croes' "Otis."

http://ventintothemic.blogspot.com/

 He is sort of a "Mortimer Snerd" character. Stupid or just ignorant. I would want to make some modifications. Droopy eye lids. Red nose. A more pronounced beard stubble. A different hat. Destressed clothing and maybe an attempt at a union suit. I might even put a new pair of shoes that I got a couple of years ago with a doll figure. I could possibley get a pair of feet that are bare feet and blow out one of the shoes. You know ... make him a real yokel. I might put a jug in his hand and make him a drunk character. Can you do this any more? Is too old a character one way or the other?

I don't know.

I guess time will tell.

Dream Dummy

This falls under a want. It is simply a desire. Oh I'm sure that he might be used as "cheeky boy." Built by Selberg Studios, it is a replica of the famous Danny O'Day. I grew up with Jimmy Nelson's show. It was on Saturday mornings ... just before a magician, named Mark ... his show. I also remember vaigley the Paul Winchell show.My first figure was a vent doll of Danny, who I called Andy. It gave me a certain feeling ... an affection for the character and a love and interest in ventriloquisim. Danny is a symbol of these emotions. So the possesion of such an item is definately an emotional one and not a practical one. I mean ... just look at the price. This studio discribes itself as the Rolls Royce of vent figures. They are ... with Rolls Royce prices. I can hear my Auntie Gretchen saying, "If you have to ask the price of something  ... you cannot afford it." The one being sold from the Jimmy Nelson site is $2,200. A big chunk of change for something that might just sit in the corner. These are ment for the professional. They are a quality level that would far exceed most hobbiest needs ... except for desire.