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August 2012 Newsletter

 

 

 

 
Comments from Dan
 

Vent Haven ConVENTion 2012 Simply Fantastic

You know for years now my partner, Steve Hurst and I, have been telling all of you, you must attend the Vent Haven ConVENTion if you have any desire to be involved with ventriloquism on any level. And this year again was living proof of that claim.

The registered attendance this year was the highest ever hitting 610 which is just fabulous. Last year was a record at over 530 for Jimmy Nelson and I never thought it would top that but the new beginnings in the Cincinnati Airport Marriott Hotel may have been an added reason for the spike in attendance.

The hotel was fabulous and the staff of this hotel bent over backwards to help you with anything you could possibly need. It was always their pleasure. That statement resonated from them all weekend. It was joyous.

Oh yes the ConVENTion. Well it really is just too much to put into words. The shows were fantastic. The open mics had everyone rolling on the floor with laughter until wee hours in the morning. And the big evening shows were fantastic. Workshops gave you everything you could possible want to know by some of the best in the business.

I was super impressed with the last big show, Saturday night my good friend and mentor Bob Isaacson performed with his Frank Marshall creation Speedy Wheeler and I just loved it. The throw back to a more simple time and style of performance was great and I can say that Frank’s creation still shows incredibly well on the stage today!!

I celebrated my 63rd birthday there on Friday July 20th and my wife Helen made a nice small party for me. Then to top the birthday evening off Steve and I were both honored by receiving the W.S. Berger Distinguished Service Award.



Can I say BLOWN AWAY??

Steve and I have worked tirelessly promoting ventriloquism and this award, being presented to me in front of 600 plus people, well I think you can imagine. I am proud and humbled by the experience. I only wish my friend, and “brother by another mother” had been able to be on that stage with me. However, I can guarantee you that Steve is basking in this glory anyway!!

Come on folks and make sure you make arrangements early and attend ConVENTion next year. The dates are July 17-20, 2013. Mark your calendars. You will not be disappointed.


 

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

 

 

 

Learn Ventriloquism

Discover the "Secrets of Ventriloquism with the Most Comprehensive
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“This is a great course… You have done a fantastic job of capturing what is difficult to describe.  Well thought out. Well presented.”

David Crone, I’mNoDummy Productions
 

 

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REPLAY – Ventriloquist Central Telephone Talk Interview with Tom Crowl

 


“GREAT! This is going to help new vents sooooo much. Well done!”

Margaret Davis, TalkingHand LLC
 

 

 


"The incremental lessons are brilliant because they get
impatient students like myself to focus on the foundations.
Tom really knows his subject and more importantly, knows how to teach it.”


David Pitts, MrPitts.com

 

 

 


“I loved Tom’s course! There is nothing like this out there.
Beginners will learn the art of ventriloquism properly from the ground up, and experienced vents will be able to refresh their basics. With the extras and bonuses, Tom is offering a real valuable resource to the vent community and beyond!”


Neale Bacon, Neale Bacon and His Crazy Critters
 

 

 

NOW – THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO LEARN VENTRILOQUISM

 

SecretsofVentriloquism.com/learnventriloquism 

 

 

 

Blogs You May Have Missed On Ventriloquist Central
 
Great Pictures of Ventriloquist Figure Builder, Brian Hamilton

As you know I’m a fan of ventriloquist figure Brian Hamilton and his figures, a few I have in the Ventriloquist Central Collection. Here are some pictures and an email from Brian’s brother, Todd...

 

Charlie McCarthy Clock By Gilbert Clock Corporation

I am very happy to show you a most unusual item that is super rare to find today. This is the Charlie McCarthy clock made by the Gilbert Co Corp. in Connecticut. The popularity of Charlie McCarthy was so great that it seemed every kind of product wanted to get on the band wagon and use the iconic figure to make sales of their items.


James Manalli Ventriloquist Figure Completed

Ventriloquist figure builder James Manalli has completed his hand carved figure. Here’s the email and pictures he sent...


How Much Is A Ventriloquist Figure Worth?

I have been getting emails asking me about pricing on various makers of figures and I am more than happy to share my knowledge with anyone who asks but you must remember pricing is subjective and just because I may feel a figure is worth x number of dollars the person selling might take a very different approach to the value.


 
Jeff Dunham Surprise

Here is a great story sent to us from Glenn Chelius. I’ll think you agree that this is worth reading about a surprise from ventriloquist Jeff Dunham.


 
SPECIAL Vent Haven ConVENTion 2012 Section

We did quite a few blogs with pictures, videos and audios dealing with the Vent Haven ConVENTion 2012.  To list them all here would take up 2 or 3 newsletters, so we combined them all together so you can go through and see what you might have missed.

Vent Haven ConVENTion 2012


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

July Archives

 

 

 

 

Missed one of the monthly Ventriloquist Central Newsletters? 

Here are the Archives!

 

 

 

 

The Ultimate Guide to Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure, Vol 1

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

 

Cleaning Out My Closet Sale

I only have a few left so if you want to save on this course,

check it out NOW!!!

Go here

 

 


"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”

Cleaning Out My Closet Sale

I only have a few left so if you want to save on this course,

check it out NOW!!!

Go here

 

 Just For Fun
 

 

Bob’s Vlog – "On the Road to Wilmington"

Click here to this video

 

 

 

Ventriloquist Marketplace
 

The 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.

"Our Ventriloquist Marketplace works and works consistently when items are priced right."

 

The Ventriloquist Marketplace  The Ventriloquist Marketplace  The Ventriloquist Marketplace

 

Here are a few items that have been added in the past few weeks:

GEOFF FELIX...Loaded

"INSULL" Cheeky Boy

Tim Cowles Ventriloquist Figure

Mike Palma Ventriloquist Figure

James Manalli Handcarved Basswood Figure For Sale

Vintage Selberg Quinton Figure

Puppets for Sale
 

 

Be sure to check these and other items on the....

 

Ventriloquist Marketplace

 

 

Pictures of Figures Added to the Website
 
  Dan Lavender’s Cecil Wigglenose #2 For Ventriloquist Central Collection

Not too long ago we did a telephone talk with Bill Nelson and Dan Lavender. At that time it was mentioned that a figure was being created for the Ventriloquist Central Collection by Dan Lavender. I am happy to say that figure has arrived and I could not be more impressed.


 
  Howie Olson’s Skinny Dugan Ventriloquist Figure

I am so pleased to let everyone know that Clinton Detweiler decided that the Skinny Dugan figure, which was crafted by Howie Olson, and was part of his collection is now a member of the Ventriloquist Central Collection.

 

 


 

Ventriloquist Central Videos

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.

VentriloquistCentralVideos.com

 

 

Videos From Ventriloquist Central
 
Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – Dan Lavender’s Cecil Wigglenose II  Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – Dan Lavender’s Cecil Wigglenose II

Here is a video of this great Dan Lavender ventriloquist figure, Cecil Wigglenose II.


 

Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – A Frank Marshall Black Ventriloquist Figure  Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – A Frank Marshall Black Ventriloquist Figure

Here is a video of a a very rare Frank Marshall figure of a Black Man. In Frank’s 1931 catalogue he is called the Negro (politically incorrect today). This figure stands 40 inches tall. He has slot jaw with the lever control for same, side moving eyes which self center and the right eye roll winks. He also has an unusual set up so that you can control his mouth movement with your foot.


 
Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – Paul Winchell’s Toy Knucklehead Smiff  Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – Paul Winchell’s Toy Knucklehead Smiff

Here’s a video showing a toy Knucklehead Smiff that Paul Winchell used to produce.


 
Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – A Charlie McCarthy Clock  Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – A Charlie McCarthy Clock

Here is a video showing you a Charlie McCarthy clock that I was able to acquire.


 
Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – Dan Lavender’s Cecil Wigglenose II Headstick   Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – Dan Lavender’s Cecil Wigglenose II Headstick

The mechanics and movements on this figure are superb. I thought you might like to see a video of these wonderful movements.

 

 

 

 

 

"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.”

 


 

 


One of the things that ventriloquists say they have a hard time doing is

writing scripts and being funny.....

Well now YOU can!!!

 

 

Learn the SECRETS to writing comedy with the Comedy Writing System!

 

ComedyWritingSystem.com

 

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts


Collecting ventriloquist figures for the Ventriloquist Central Collection has been such a joy for me especially because of all the wonderful people I have met since I started. Everyone has been so nice and has given me such positive feedback on my quest.

I never would have expected this because in other antique fields that I previously worked in and collected, this type of friendship just didn’t exist. The jealousy was just so fierce that friendships were impossible. In the vent world everyone is so happy when you acquire another figure and this has just shocked me.

This is why this web site has grown so much. Everyone who comes to Ventriloquist Central has seen how much Steve and I have made available for you and then we are given material, from you, to share with everyone. It has been great and I want everyone to please continue send in this great ventriloquial material.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

Till next time,
Dan

 
 

©2012 VentriloquistCentral.com