Ventriloquist Central - A Tribute To Ventriloquism

Val Hilliker sent us this nice audio interview she did with Terry Fator’s sister, Debbie Fator at the Vent Haven ConVENTion. This interview will give you an inside peek into Terry’s personality.

Enjoy the interview.

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Val, once again, thanks for sending this to Ventriloquist Central.

Val’s website: http://www.valhilliker.com

Terry Fator’s website: http://www.terryfator.com

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Here is a great video interview done by Val Hilliker as she interviews Mark Wade about the Vent Haven Ventriloquist ConVENTion. Mark has a message for everyone about next year’s ConVENTion.

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I want to thank Val for her help in providing video interviews for Ventriloquist Central. She has sent up many more video clips and we’ll be putting them up over the next few days and weeks…so keep checking back.

A special thanks to Mark Wade for allowing Val to interview him and share it with the ventriloquist community.

For more information:

Val Hilliker: http://www.valhilliker.com

Mark Wade: http://www.kidshowvent.com/

Vent Haven ConVENTion: http://www.venthaven.com

In the next day or so, Steve will be creating a Vent Haven ConVENTion 2008 web page. If you have pictures of the ventriloquist convention you would like to share, please send them to:
webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

He’ll put them up on the page very everyone to enjoy.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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From Tom Crowl

Here is my final info about the convention.

Before driving back to Maryland I met up with Ken Groves for breakfast and he discussed some possible ideas for next year. It will be a tough convention to top, but I have no doubt that Mark Wade and staff will make it happen.

Tom, thanks for all your updates.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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From Bill DeMar

I’m sure there have been others that have reported on the convention, this is just my take on it. Like last year, there was a lot of love being shared. You won’t find a better group of people.

There were 82 newbie’s, and I never really heard what the total number of attendees there were, well over 400. There were some regulars who were not there, and we missed them. Al Stevens, Bob Isaacson to name two.

I doubled up with a fine gentleman, Donald Woodford. What a convention. Everyone knows there is no finer gentleman than Jimmy Nelson. Everyone is always glad to see Jimmy and his lovely wife there. Fine gentlemen seem to run in the vent world. What a gracious, thoughtful, considerate, GENEROUS man Terry Fator is. He gave generously of himself, his time and his money. Ten thousand to the museum.

And Jeff Dunham can not be outdone by either of those find gentlemen, for Jeff also gave Ten thousand,(as he found out) ;-). Both men got a standing ovation, of course. Steven Knowles, (I hope I have that right) gave 1700, along with a very well done, clever auction, which netted another couple thousand, I’m guessing.

What a show, by Terry Fator. I was lucky enough to get one of the hundreds of DVDs he was GIVING away. Jeff did better than an hour of entertaining and Q&A. Dan Horn did a great lecture, AGAIN. Val Hilliker did a lecture and was on the International show, along with Elgregoe and Zilla and Totte, MC’d by Stevo Schuling, of course.

The Sat. night show had Mike Hemmelgran and David Turner who got a standing ovation, and closed with Pete Michaels. MC’d by Jerry Lane.

I don’t know what more anyone could ask for. Mark Wade did a fine job AGAIN. Some fine new people there.

A lot more find things could be said, and more fine people’s names that could be mentioned, but I’m thinking I’m running long. So….maybe someone else can give there version.

Thanks Bill for sharing your thoughts about the ConVENTion.

If you’d like to share your thoughts about this year’s ConVENTion, or pictures you would like to share with everyone, please send it to us and we’ll gladly post it. Send them to:
webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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I just received this email from Hugo, who is ventriloquist Ed Thomas’ partner (Ed & Hugo live in Altamonte Springs, FL).

Dan,

Ed and I went to the convention and all I got was this t-shirt.

Now I find out he bought it last year and just gave it to me now.

That is the problem working with an OLD vent.

Hugo

The Ed Thomas and Hugo Show

Hugo, sorry it took so long for you to get your t-shirt but I must say it looks very dapper on you.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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On Wednesday night (July 16th) after the interview with Terry Fator, Lee Dunn talked briefly with Terry Fator’s sister, before Terry’s show. Even though the qualitly is dark and the interview was very short, we thought you would enjoy this.

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Thanks again to Val Hilliker and Lee Dunn for making this possible.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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From Tom Crowl about Friday

This morning three workshops were offered - I attended Dale Brown’s comedy writing during the first session. Dale had some great tips and unique ideas for creating comedy with your character. He used his jockey figure to show the progression and it was my favorite workshop of the day. The second session I attended Elgregoe’s (from New Zealand) Magic workshop. Some good ideas magically, but the way he illustrated his points visually made this workshop worth my time. Val Hilliker also had a strolling workshop which I did not attend as strolling isn’t my thing.

I had lunch with Ken Lucas (Wednesday Night’s One Man Show) and really enjoyed hearing his stories about career and past conventions. Lunch sped by and then it was time for the group photo. I almost skipped this, but David Pendleton took me to meet Greg Claussen, who showed me his replicas as David brought his original into the room. I ran to get my bighead Deeder and posed next to them in the photo - then after posing for numerous pics, I was able to get my pic taken with Jimmy Nelson, his wife, Danny O’Day and Farfel - and of course, Deeder.

Suddenly time for the afternoon workshops. First I attended Mark Wade & Gary Owen’s Baby Cry & Polyphony workshop. Mark Wade does an incredible baby cry and distant voice. His teaching methods had one jr. vent doing the cry within minutes. I think it will take me a bit longer! After that, Dan Horn’s workshop was an eye-opening experience as he showed how he uses his hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder to create some unbelievable movement. He also demonstrated his arm rod techniques and has promised to give me a personal lesson tomorrow. Stephen Knowles presented a workshop on selecting audience volunteers which I was unable to attend.

Vent Videos with Jimmy Nelson featured the first showing of “I’m No Dummy” - which is great! This was probably the best documentary on vent I’ve seen. Before the evening International Show, I was sharing information with some of the vents I’ve met here - and before we knew it, we had missed dinner and it was time for the show. Stevo from Germany MC’d. Val Hilliker and her daughter opened the show. Her act was geared for little ones, which made the audience a tough crowd - but she did a good job and was well received. Elgregoe did some very funny magic and a routine with an Axtell Possum. Then came the evening’s star - the winner of Sweden’s Got Talent - Zilla & Totte. She charmed the audience and has a great singing voice.

Following the show, Jeff Dunham appeared with daughters and wife for the raffle - after that, Jeff presented two framed awards from the production company for his million selling DVD’s to the VentHaven museum. He then auctioned off a midnight tour - which went for a surprising $10,000 - and was won by his wife and daughters. It was a funny way for Jeff to match Terry Fator’s donation - an extremely generous gift! Then came the real auction which was won by a group of six - Steven Knowles, Stevo Schulling, Allen B. (sorry Allen - can’t remember the spelling), Lee Cornell, Ken Groves and …Tom Crowl. Jeff drove us over to the museum with his wife and daughters, we did the tour and Tom Ladshaw provided lots of trivia - photos were taken - it was a great time!

This was another highlight of Terry being at the convention! Click Here.

Tom, thanks for the great update.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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From Tom Crowl

“Terry Fator was GREAT! He did a full show and introduced a new Julius (no longer an Axtell Jazzman, now a Selburg). He then did a lengthy Q & A session with loads of information on his career, advice to vents on improving their acts and finally surprised everyone by not only donating his show fee to the museum, but also adding an additional $10,000 check! His new show at the Mirage will have its own gift shop, and several figures from the Museum will be displayed behind glass there - raising awareness of the museum to millions anticipated to visit the shop in Las Vegas. Following that, Terry provided free DVD’s of his show along with sock puppets made by his sister (also in attendance). The line for autographs and photos was lengthy - but he stayed until everyone had a chance to meet him. Without a doubt, the most inspiring vent I’ve ever met and genuinely nice guy.”

Thanks, Tom for the terrific update.

Also, be sure to check below for the interview with Terry Fator.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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From Tom Crowl

This morning Ken Groves gave his “Breaking Down The Brick Walls of Showbusiness” lecture. Ken brought out his puppet George and showed the audience exactly why they should take his advice, he’s one of the best you will see! Excellent advice on everything from creating the illusion of ventriloquism to setting up the room for a successful show. Following the Q & A session, Ken offered his book and DVD for sale - he sold out and was taking orders. His book is available on-line through Lee Cornell.

Following a quick break, Tim & Amanda Cowles presented a lecture where they discussed everything from show transitions and music to sound systems and microphones. They used several segments from their educational school assemblies and it was a fun presentation that seemed to go by too quickly. The dealer rooms opened and everyone hit the restuarant - so I took off for a great lunch with David Crone. The amount of information being shared here floors me - I can’t believe I didn’t attend this convention sooner.

This afternoon we’ve got open mics - then tonight - Terry Fator!

Terry Fator was at the Junior Open Mic. MC’d by Bob Hamill - kids did a great job.

Thanks, Tom…..

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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George Boosey called around 12:30 eastern time to give us an update on the morning at Vent Haven. Mark Wade gave out the W.S. Berger Distinguished Award to Dan & Mary Fry.

Ken Groves did a presentation about his “Breaking Down The Brick Walls of Showbusiness”. Some great quotes from Ken’s presentation:

“I do comedy-the tool I use is ventriloquism.”
“When you’re setting up a show, you’re setting up a package.”

Talking about the importance of lip control…..
“We need to bring back the mystery of what we do.”
“Without the mystery you’re not a ventriloquist, you’re a puppeteer.”

About doing your shows….
“You need a laugh within the first 30 seconds or you’ll have a long night.”

Tim and Amanda Cowles had a presentation about transitions.
“Transitions can make or break a program.”

Thanks George…..and he’ll be giving up more updates.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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