HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Reprint

Dan Willinger and Steve Hurst of Ventriloquist Central took notice of my blog series "How To Be A Ventriloquist".  Fortunately they liked it. Dan and Steve asked if they could reprint it in the Ventriloquist Central Articles of Interest section on their website.  Of course, I was honored to have it included. 

So rather than sift through my blog to gather all 10 lessons, Dan and Steve have reprinted them all in one place for easy access.    CLICK HERE TO GET TO IT.

In control

The photo on the left shows the brass rod emerging from the slot in the PVC pipe controller at a 90-degree angle.   Notice the Magic-Sculpt just inside the slot securing the brass tube. A jigger handle will be attached to the brass rod.

The photo on the right shows the top of the PVC pipe controller.  The brass tube and rod emerging from the pipe runs down the length of the PVC pipe.  Again, Magic-Sculpt secures the pipe at the top of the controller.  Eventually, the top part of the rod will attach to the eye mechanism inside the head to control the side-to-side eye movement.

The hole thing

I really like the PVC pipe controllers from Braylu Creations.  From photos left to right, here's a description of what I do to prep them for my figures.

• Front: I cut a 3/4" slot.  A brass rod, bent at a 90-degree angle, will protrude from that slot. The rod will control the self-centering eyes.
• Side: I drill a hole on the side, from which will emerge one of the cords controlling the jaw or eyebrows.
• Side: I drill another hole on the side, from which will emerge one of the cords controlling the jaw or eyebrows.
• Back: I drill a large hole near the top from which will emerge the cord that controls the crossing eyes.  The three smaller holes in the middle area accept the screws and washers that mount the triggers. The larger hole at the bottom is where I loop an elastic band that will attach to an eyehook at the bottom of the body to secure the head.
• Top:  I run a brass tube and rod down the length of the PVC pipe to control the self-centering eyes.  The rod, as I menbtioned, will protrude at a 90-degree angle from the slot.  I use Magic-Sculpt to cement the brass tube and rod contrller to the top of the PVC pipe.  The small holes drilled in the top and side act as anchor holes for the Magic-Sculpt.   One of the tiny holes located farther out will accomodate a small brass eye hook to which a spring will be connected.  The other end of the spring will attach to the jaw.   (Note: I also apply Magic-Sculpt to the inside of the PVC pipe just above the slot to secure the lower portion of the brass tube and rod eye control). 

The pain in Spain

Clifton, a consistently cantankerous old codger, is on his way to Spain.  He's sure to be a pain in the neck when discussing most subjects with his new partner.  If I get photos of the two, I'll post them.

The evil eye

So, I'm painting eyeballs.  I use 1-1/4" wood knobs. I'm manufacturing 5 pair.  I'm no math genius, but I think that makes 10 eyeballs.    So I drilled holes for the axle and the spring.  Then I painted a coat of primer.  I let them dry.  Next day I painted my first coat of white acrylic paint.  Lookin' good.  After the first coat dried for 24 hours, I painted the second coat of white acrylic paint.  Now they just have to dry.

Wait a minute... what's that on the floor next to the drill press work bench?  It's a wood knob.  It's an unpainted wood knob.  It's an UNDRILLED WOOD KNOB! 

I count the number of drilled, primered and painted wood knobs.

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8....9. 

AAAAWWWWWWW!!!!!

The jaw bone's connected

Well, only temporarily connected. Still more work to be done.

Put some teeth in it

For the first time, I put some buck teeth in my Cheeky Boy head. I think it will make him look even cuter. I used a little Magic-Sculpt to make the teeth. But first I ground away some of the underside of his upper lip area to make sure the jaw will close behind the teeth.

Complaining Codger

"Clifton" would like to find a nice comfortable home for his golden years.  Not that he'll express any gratitude to you.  He was born to complain, confound and carry on without mercy.  To get a better look at this obstinate octogenarian, swing on over to Ebay.

A friend indeed

I always love getting photos of ventriloquists with their Kenny Croes figures.  In this case, Carter (the ventriloquist) received my Stanley conversion figure as a gift from his family.

If you own a Kenny Croes figure, please send along a photo of yourself with your knee pal.  I'd be honored to share your story.

Backstage

I've written before about the young man in the photo at left. His name is Kevin Barnett.  I made his little friend Kyle.  Kevin performs with Kyle, attends the Venthaven Convention, and sees shows by famous ventriloquists whenever he can.  He caught Terry Fator's wonderful show recently and went backstage to meet him.

Someday in the future, some aspiring young ventriloquist may be posing backstage with another famous ventriloquist... a grown up Kevin Barnett.

Have mouth, will argue

"MR. WINKLE" is now spoiling for a fight on Ebay.

I ain't got no-body

Well... actually he does.  And a nice one at that.  He's even wearing a brand new suit.  But I digress. 

Thought you might like to take a look at how I set up my controls.  I use a hollow PVC pipe design from Braylu Creations so I can run the mechanics down the center.  The nifty triggers for the jaw and eyebrows work smoothly and are easy on the fingers.  The jigger controls the left/right eye movement.

I run a brass tube and rod up the PVC pipe secured to the pipe interior with Magic-Sculpt.  Then I shove a length of ethofoam tubing, folded in threes, inside the PVC pipe from the bottom.  The expanding ethofoam also secures the lower portion of the brass tube and rod where the rod and jigger exit the opening in the PVC pipe. 

Our debt to Detweiler

Few have done more for the proliferation of ventriloquism around the world as Clinton Detweiler. His blog, Mr. D's Daily, is a staple for ventriloquist blog readers. Clinton's "Maher 30 Lesson Course" has educated untold numbers of ventriloquists through the years. He's probably made and sold more figures than anyone in history. I have learned so many things about making figures by reading his blog posts. So I was honored when he asked if I'd like one of his famous "Smiley Face" Pocket Puppets and the accompanying "Five Dummy Dollars" coin.

I received it in the mail today, Clinton. Thanks for everything you do for the art of ventriloquism and its artists. I'm smiling as big as the Pocket Puppet!