Ventriloquist Central Newsletter

October Newsletter

Comments from Dan

Happy Birthday Ventriloquist Central

Another year has passed. It's hard to believe, but this month VentriloquistCentral.com is five years old. Steve and I started this website in October of 2006 after meeting each other at the Vent Haven ConVENTion the previous July. In our wildest dreams we never thought the website would be where it is today. What started out as a website with some historical information and a way to share my ventriloquist figure collection has grown far larger than either one of us suspected.

The Ventriloquist Central Birthday Bash here in Boston was a great time (we'll have more about this in next month's newsletter).

I would like to take this moment to thank those who have contributed to the website. I don’t want to start naming names in fear I might forget someone, but we’ve had many who have contributed to the website and for that……THANK YOU!

Plus, I would like to thank you…..the readers of Ventriloquist Central. If not for you, there would be no need for this site…..so to you, a big THANKS!

I also encourage everyone to keep sending in your contributions so that they can be shared with the ventriloquial community.

I know I speak for my partner and webmaster, Steve when I say THANKS TO ALL…for your continued support.

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

Learn the "Secrets of Ventriloquism"

Now YOU can learn the Art of Ventriloquism with this truly remarkable new course, “Secrets of Ventriloquism.” This course combines the secrets of the past by one of the great ventriloquist with current thoughts and ideas of modern day ventriloquists.

"I've been listening to it and there are some things on it I've not heard from any other source. Anyone who wants to know some true secrets will probably want to consider getting this one."
David Thrasher

www.SecretsofVentriloquism.com

Blogs You May Have Missed On Ventriloquist Central

Scott Bryte and His Jester

Well our good buddy Pastor Scott Bryte has done it again. His “out of the box” thinking gives him inspiration to create wonderfully unique items such as this “Jester”.

Evolution of Raising Eyebrows in McElroy Ventriloquist Figures

I was just thinking about the wonderful mechanics that the McElroy brothers put in their figures and started to ponder the evolution of the raising eyebrows in their figures. When they created their first figures, commonly called the Troll, the eyebrows moved on their own by weight control. In other words just by the movement of the head the eyebrows would move.

Danny O’Day and Donny O’Day Ventriloquism Manipulation

I was chatting with Bob Isaacson and he pointed out to me a most interesting fact about Jimmy Nelson and his manipulation of Danny O’Day. Now you will have to go and watch some of the old videos, but then you will see that Jimmy very rarely uses the side to side eye movement....

The Creation of Mortimer Snerd

Our good friend Phil Nichols sent me a link to this wonderful video of the creation of Edgar Bergen’s wonderful figure Mortimer Snerd. I know you will love watching this video because it is so clear and really shows Virginia doing the sculpting.

Frank Marshall Ventriloquist Figure Mouths

I was asked a good question on the pitch point of Frank Marshall’s figures. I wish that it was as easy as a quick measurement but every figure is unique and therefore each and every mouth must be fitted to its respective head.

Of course we had many other blogs throughout the month of September, so be sure to check them all out, just in case you might have missed one.

September Archives

Missed one of the monthly Ventriloquist Central Newsletters?

Click here for the Archives!

“The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own
Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1”

"Steve's course is very good too! You can actually see projects being worked on and see how he handles them instead of just reading about it (not that the books aren't worth having too!)."

Gary Koepke

“The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1” is a step-by-step system from start to finish, so you can create your very own ventriloquist figure. Now you can become a ventriloquist figure builder. This guide will answers all your questions, show you all the short-cuts, and give you a quick and easy paint-by-the-numbers way to making your own ventriloquist figure-- even if you don’t think you can do it.

"Hi Steve,

I purchased the “The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1”, from you last year and have finished my dummy now.

It has not taken that long to do but I have only been able to do little bits to it here and there so thats where the months have gone.

I would love to take this opportunity to thank you for putting this course together. Building a dummy has been a long term ambition of mine right from child hood when I used to make cardboard dummies.

Now all I need to finish the one I have made from your course is to clothe him. As soon as I have clothes for him I will send some photos for you to see.

Any way thanks again and look forward to hearing from you in the future."

Regards
Shane West
www.unclezoobee.co.uk

"The DVD course is everything your advertisement claims it to be! It is truly worth much more than the amount asked! Thank you very much."

Theo Roos
South Africa

"Steve, I purchased your Ultimate Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure Vol.1 DVD's just over five months ago. Let me first say, these are a MUST HAVE! I have always wanted to build my own figure and your DVD's gave me the confidence to get started as well as valuable information with the whole process! I took your advice on using the Fast Mache' method and it works! That advice in itself saved me a lot of frustration since this was my first time at figure making. I now know I can begin my second figure and it will be even more exciting than the first one. The information in the Ultimate Guide DVD's are invaluable! I enjoy watching them over and over again to gain more insight on figure building. I can't wait to get into the mold making process and duplicate one of my own figure heads! The Ultimate Guide DVD's were exactly what I was looking for and needed! Thanks so much for creating them. You truly are an inspiration to me with all the nuts and bolts of information you share in order to produce a ventriloquist figure."

Thanks Again!
Ron Cataldo

“The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1”

Ventriloquist Marketplace

We have had quite a bit of activity on the Ventriloquist Marketplace. In fact, one figure I listed sold within a couple of hours of listing it, so be sure you keep checking it out.

Ventriloquist Marketplace

Pictures of Figures Added to the Website

Roy Catell Ventriloquist Figure Maker Unknown

The figure which you are looking at is also a curiosity to me because I have no idea as to the maker. He stands 42″ tall and his body is made of wood with muslin filled arms and legs and his hands are carved basswood. His head is also carved basswood.

Donny O’Day a Frank Marshall Masterpiece

Donny O’Day was born out of Frank Marshall’s shop but was not given that name until he was used in the 2011 Vent Haven ConVENTion in a tribute program for Jimmy Nelson. A splendid routine in deed by Bob Isaacson.

Onessimus Joins Ventriloquist Central Collection

For me the best part of the ConVENTion is going to the dealers room in my search for that elusive ventriloquist figure that will become a part of the Ventriloquist Central Collection. This year was no exception. But this year it happened the moment the dealers room opened the very first night. As we all were cramming through the door to enter I was right next to a woman walking in with a figure in her hands.

Frank Marshall Figure Used By Roy Catell

Roy Catell ” International Singing Ventriloquist” , that’s what his card says, used this Frank Marshall ventriloquist figure. This figure is a 30″ tall figure and only has slot jaw. He has glass eyes and his hair is all original crepe style hair. His paint is original as well. He is in totally original condition having never been restored.

Ventriloquist Central Videos

Here you can view videos of ventriloquists of all kinds from the amateur, the semi pro and the pros. Just about anything to do with ventriloquists and ventriloquism, you’ll find here at Ventriloquist Central Videos.

www.VentriloquistCentralVideos.com

Videos

Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – A Brant Gilmer Headstick

I’ve already done a couple videos of this McElroy style, Brant Gilmer figure. Well today I thought I would show you the headstick. Brant has a unique style in making his headsticks.

Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – Donny O’Day a Frank Marshall Figure

By now you should have seen all the blogs with the story behind this very nice figure “Donny O’Day” a Frank Marshall creation beautifully restored by Bob Isaacson. Some of you have asked for a video and here it is….ENJOY!

"What Would You Do If Your
Ventriloquist Figure Were
Stolen Or Destroyed?"

Here's The Best Way To Protect Your Investment

For Those Interested In The Art Of Ventriloquism

“The Ventriloquism Historical Information Collection, Volume 1.”

Final Thoughts

I want to thank everyone for all the comments and emails you send in to Ventriloquist Central about how much you enjoy the website. Steve and I work very hard to bring this information to you and we both love hearing the wonderful comments.

As always, if you have suggestions of items or information you'd like to see, if you have information you'd like to share, please send it to us and we'll be happy to do what we can.

Till next time,
Dan