Audiences don't know a stock figure from a custom figure. They are ALL custom characters to them. They don't spend hours exploring ventriloquist blogs and websites familiarizing themselves with the various "stock" figures and puppets on the market like we ventriloquists do.
The only thing that matters to an audience is entertainment. It doesn't matter whether Jim Barber is making them laugh with his bare hand or Terry Fator is amazing them with a soft puppet anyone could buy from Axtell Expressions or Jeff Dunham is killin' em with his unique Achmed the Dead Terrorist. The folks are havin' a real good time.
In churches, schools, at birthday parties, on cruise ships and in local bars, thousands of ventriloquists are making millions laugh. And they're using corny old routines, witty original dialogue, stock and unique figures, and some even move their lips. And guess what.
The folks are havin' a real good time. To me that's what really matters.
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Kenny, you said it beautifully. You are right, so many artists pay more attention to their technique and equipment than to the entertainment they are suppossed to provide with their acts. They fall in love with the things they do, without realizing that audiences look for something else, they just perform for themselves. This thought goes for ventriloquists, magicians, clowns, stand up comics... Entertainment comes first, ALWAYS!. As ventriloquists, we can work with a puppet made out of a sock, a handkerchief, our own hands... Audiences really don't care about it, as long as we are entertaining them... I couldn't agree more with you, Kenny. By the way, thank you so very much for all your postings, they are very interesting and we all learn from them, not only ventriloquists. Visit my website please and take a look at the puppet I use; I can guarantee you that the audiences love him and they never get tired of him... and it's the most simple puppet... www.peppotheclown.com And again, thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point, Kenny. It does not matter if you use a hand puppet or a Selberg figure...it's all about the performance!
ReplyDeleteSenor Wences used his hand! Say no more.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on that, too. Nicely said!
ReplyDelete