I'm a trekkie

I'm always looking for new ways to alter Charlie heads to create new characters. I've been paying attention to Star Trek. Why? Because the make-up artists use "appliances" to configure aliens. I've noticed that sometimes it only takes the application of a bit of plastic on a portion of the face to make all the difference.

The old grouchy guy I'm making is an example. I'm keeping the cheeks and nostrils. But I've added the bridge and center part of the nose. The lower part of the face was done by trimming the edges off the corner of the jaw. Then I temporally mounted the jaw piece in the head. I added Magic-Sculpt to the lower part of the face to contour to the trimmed jaw. Now he looks like he's always frowning. I also made jowls.

By the way, the holes in the forehead and neck are to anchor the Magic-Sculpt. All of the Magic-Sculpt areas you see have holes drilled underneath to secure the applications. I'll use Magic-Sculpt to form a "turkey neck" and I'll add some wrinkles in the forehead. Then he'll be ready to paint.

Who's the dummy?

Yeah, I know that's a question I ask myself all the time.

But actually it's also the name of a blog by ventriloquist John Mhor Gunn. (You'll find the link in my list of blogs). He's embarking on a project to build a conversion figure from a Danny O'Day. If he's anything like me, an encouraging word from a fellow ventriloquist and/or vent builder is helpful. So, please check out his blog from time to time and offer up some pleasantries.

That's my plan.

A hairy audition

I enjoy reading Jay Johnson's blog "The World's Is A Stage". He tells wonderful show business stories. Recently he told us about his final audition at ABC that won him the famous part on "Soap". He also published a copy of the Variety ad for the first casting (cattle) call for ventriloquists, which was held at CBS in LA.

I was at the initial casting call at CBS. My aunt, who was an acting teacher in LA, told me about it. At the time, I didn't use a figure or puppet, but rather sang a tune without moving my lips as a closing bit of my singer-songwriter act. (It was the same bit I did as part our street act in San Francisco when Harry Anderson and I were partners.)

I'd never seen so many ventriloquists and vent figures in one room as I saw that day in that Rehearsal Hall at CBS. A sea of ventriloquists! I recall the ad asked for someone 20-30 years old, but I saw vents much older and much younger than that. I remember one older guy with a Greecian Formula-dyed butch haircut and loud plaid jacket was saying how much younger he'd look on TV.

Eventually I was called in to a small room or curtained-off area (I don't recall which) to audition, which didn't last long. I had hair down to my butt and no dummy. Right away they eliminated me and I didn't even get to show 'em my act. But they were very polite, which I appreciated because I was also very nervous.

And of course, we all know who won the part. Obviously those casting directors knew what they were doing.

Another goofball

I just can't resist making these little bucktoothed characters. "Augie" isn't very handsome, smart or dashing.

He just thinks he is.

Soon he'll be searching for someone to convince. Look for this feller with the giant combover on Ebay in the near future.

Talking Turkey

The Professor will be learning a new language. He has found a home on the far side of Europe. He will call Turkey his home from now on. I will miss him. He was fun to talk to.

A Professor on the move

Thought you might like to see Professor Lobenschnicker pontificate via video. He's now seeking tenure on Ebay.

The Professor is in

Meet Professor Lobenschnicker. He's a confused brainiac whose IQ re-defines the term "dummy". Soon he will be lecturing with the assistance of an "intern". Look for him to be seeking an academic position soon on Ebay.

Measured response

I've been asked to provide measurements for the fleece wig pattern below. So here goes. First of all, these are measurements for half of the pattern. You have to print out two of them, each on an 8-1/2 x 11 piece of paper, then tape them together down the center-line. (If you print out my sample on the right, it ought to be pretty close. Click on the photo, choose "Save Picture As", save it as a jpeg, then open up the jpeg and print it.) From top-center to the bottom dart measures 10-1/8". From centerline to sideburn measures 5".

I use thread the color of the wig to handsew the darts together. It's important that the bottom of each dart line up with the dart next to it. (Don't sew together the two pieces on either side of the rounded part. That's where the ear goes).

You'll find that the wig will require adjustment. The sideburns are too long (purposely in case you're making an Elvis) and you may need to trim them shorter after installation. The back also may require trimming. I use hot glue to tack it down on top of the head, the sideburns, behind the ears and along the nape of the neck. I use Elmer's Glue to glue down the hairlines (it's more precise). I usually give the guy a haircut after applying the wig.

One other trick. If you're going to make a receding hairline, best to fold the front excess under rather than trim it off. The hairline looks better that way.

Paper airplane? Stealth bomber plans? A Rohrshach test? A sleeping albino bat?

Nope.

This is a pattern for a fleece wig for a typical Charlie head. I lay it over the back of furry fleece and trace it on the back of the material by dotting with a marker. Then I cut it out and sew the darts together by hand.

Furry fleece, particularly the curly style, works great as a wig. It's very soft to the touch. It comes in white, red, dark brown and black. It also comes in odd colors for hair like blue, light green and a bone color. Though I also use hair wigs, I like the looks of curly furry fleece.

Coupla guys

As the auction for the Lovik figure comes to a close, I'm getting close to finishing two more conversion figures. The fellow on the left will likely become "Professor Lobenschnicker". He'll eventually get white eyebrows and a white wig. The bucktoothed feller on the right will get the name "Augie" (at least until the new owner renames him). I'm undecided on his hair color. (Red?)

What's next for this little guy?

This is my first "refurb", and it was an excellent experience. I think the result was well worth the effort, too. I have him up for auction on Ebay. There's a video of him, too.

Dig the wig

So now the wig has been set in place. Sometimes I prefer to turn the wig around so that the back of the wig is in the front. That's what I did this time. With the hair upside down in the back and because the hair is sewn in to lay forward, the wig may show more of the scalp. So I painted the scalp dark brown so the scalp color would blend with the hair color.

I also decided to use well-placed hot glue anchors to secure the wig in place. (I'm getting better at this hot gluing.)

Next step is to rosey-up the cheeks.

Ears or flaps?

Because the Lovik figure is so cartoon-like, I made the ears without a lot of detail. I plan to paint in some detail, but not much. To make the ears, I cut the shape from a rubber-like foam, hot glued them to the head, then covered the foam with Magic-Sculpt. Using a foam underlayer helps keep the weight down.

I've also covered the brass eyebrow rods with Magic-Sculpt. Usually I score the Magic-Sculpt to mimic the texture of hair, but in keeping with the smooth cartoon character theme, I left the eyebrows smooth, too.

Next, I choose and apply a wig.

5,778 miles away...

One of the great side benefits of making vent figures (and blogging about it) is meeting people online that I'd likely never meet in person. Such is the case with Imre Gelei from Hungary. He sent me an email with several photos of a figure he built. He carved the figure in styrofoam, then covered it with papermache and toilet paper. He used foam pipe insulation for his arms and legs, and round styrofoam balls at the joints. Using tips from reading blogs, he built the mechanics. His resourcefulness paid off as he built a very durable and expressive vent figure. He named it "Professor Otto".