Hey guys Ive been involved in ventriloquism for a little while but I never really say this forum here. Id just like to ask you all,
Do you normally use in your comedy routines---someone elses patter....like magicians to otehr effects........or do you mostly invent your own?
Thanks

IT is ALWAYS best to invent your own. Sure you could steal a FEW comedy lines, but as far as routine and patter goes, it would be best to form up your own comedy routine.

A very talented friend of mine picked up my Axtell's Rabbit and played with it at my house. IT was UNBELIEVABLE WHAT HE DID!! IT seemed like the two were made for each other! After that he ordered the old man and does a GREAT adult comedy routine with the old man...but get this...He IMPROVISES every performance. No routine...everything comes off the top of his head (he does quite a bit of funny insult jokes with the puppet as well)

just some food for thought...I am actually rambling on!

Thanks Kyle,
For some reason I never quite got the hang of writing routines for me and my ventriloquist...........
Thanks for the help

There are many books out there. If all else fails, and you really have a passion for ventriloquism. Just take stuff from many people instead of just one.

Or ask around. Ask people what they think would be funny.

I do this with my magic shows and get many responses. It is a great way to add to or improve your show!

Until you develop your own routines there are many sources of dialogs available. Axtell sells complete routines in his AxTrax. Maher studios has many books on dialog. You can take parts from many books and create something new from them. The material in these books is ther to be used and by buying you are given the right to use the material. I think for someone begining it's too much to expect him or her to master the techniques and to write great dialog right away. Can you imagine if we insisted that pianists only perform original compositions?

I have found most routines in the routine books are just not funny. I guess I do have the gift for writing my own. Part of that comes from understanding who my charcters are and what kind of humour works for them.

A lot of vents use very generic material because they aren't sure who their partner is.

One of the way I did to create script was to bring my puppet to watch TV with me.

I talk to the puppet and I let 'him' response. Because TV is 'dynamic' in its content I definitely can bring out some script for the puppet.

It works for me. Maybe it works for you.

I also don't use vent dialog books for my performance, because it's mostly in English. I use Indonesian Language. LOL
Just kidding folks!

But I must admit that I take "the way of comedy thinking" from those books.

Regards,

Budi Ha Ha

I am new to ventriloquism, and only have one routine, my own.

I have lot's of dialog books, but have only used one of the routines straight from the books, that's Axtell's routine with Vern (the bird)learning a rope trick. That was the first routine I learned and I liked having a set routine to work from while I was concentrating on learning technique. I do take the bits I like from the books and combine them into a routine that works for me and my figure.

The funny thing is...everyone who posted in this topic except for swisskid, the creator and I have their pics with their puppets!

You can go to http://www.venthaven.com and they should have everything you need to get started. Just click around and you will see a large variety of aids to assist you.
Just went to the first day of Vent Haven in Kentucky. Once again Jeff Dunham put on a tremendous show.
His passion for comedy and venting is second to none and as nice as they come.
I wasn't aware that Venting is the only job he has ever held, got involved as a teen.

I LOVE Jeff DUnham. He is my favorite Ventriloquist! I have always wanted to see him live!

You should also watch Ron Lucas and Jim Barber. They're great too! My favorite ventriloquists!

Ron Lucas is superb! Going to see Jeff Durham at a Comedy Club tomorrow.

God-glorified

Well, as I haven't actually started doing vent stuff yet(been practicing for years, just can't seem to get goin ) you might want to bounce this idea off those who are actually are, first.

I love old time radio shows, especially the comedy teams, Laurel & Hardy, Abbot & Costello, The Marx Bro's(Groucho & Chico), Burns & Allen, to name a few.

Well, it seems to me that you could get enough ideas from just these people to last a lifetime. It may need to be updated a bit, but some of it would play great just as it is. i.e. a "who's on first" type routine, would kill.

Also check material on "Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy" and "Winchel & Mahoney"
both famous vent teams of the past.

To find these you can google "old time radio", "old time radio shows", or go to ebay and look under "old time radio".

"otrcat.com" is my favorite, good selection and reasonable prices.
God Bless
Steve

Ps A lot of Martin and Lewis movies have stuff you could use also.

I was trying to have my pic taken puppetless but then Geoffrey sidled in and stuck a wand up my nose. Sorry about that.

Kyl,

The other one is my buddy, not a puppet!

Budi Ha Ha

Ah...your buddy. You two look happy Like a real pair of friends! How long have you known each other?

Not too sure if you can find much on him but Mike Robinson is a brilliant vent. he travels on holland america cruise lines and is an absolute pleasure to watch