#1 Reason, I want a NEW TOY to play with.
#2 Reason, I want to add this to my existing parrot show. The toucan will do the talking while my parrots perform.

Lou, do you think the Toucan could give "commands" to the other birds? That would be very cool!

Ax

My parrots are not good in verbal commands. They are more into visual commands. They look at my hand and body for the signal on what to do.

Yes the Toucan could give commands but I have to cue the bird. It will look like the Toucan gave the command.

I am thinking that the Toucan will just give side comments while my parrots are performing. This would definitely add to my bird act. The Toucan is big and very colorful!

Can I send my 50% downpayment NOW?

Lou

We will probably start taking orders for the VENT before the MAGIC version. We are closer on finalizing the development of the Vent. Still some testing to finish before we can take $$. Keep it warm!
Ax

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Two new features added to the MAGIC VERSION!

VENT MODE!

Now you can flip a switch on the Control System and use the same fob to control the puppet in the VENT MODE. (The moves in this mode are just like the VENT version). Those of you who have asked for the features to be combined will be thrilled! We will still offer the less expensive VENT version for those who do not want the extra program & play features.

PANIC BUTTON!

For those situations where you need to have a panic button. Press this button and your puppet will turn to you even in the middle of a MagicTrax routine) and says "Pssst....come here....then he whispers something to you). This will save you on stage in many situations where a kid may ask the puppet something, or the crowd is too noisy to hear the pre-recorded routine. You can basically use this panic button to interrupt your show, and walk over to the puppet - let them whisper something to you - then you can tell the audience what he just said! For example: A kid at a birthday party says "Hey Toucan...today is my birthday and I'm 8. How old are you?" (Hit the Panic button.) The MagicTrax or MotorMouth routine stops, he turns to you and says "Pssst....come here, I need to talk to you". You walk over and put your head near his mouth and he begins whispering..."pppsssss slsssss psussssst" You then tell your audience, "sometimes he is a little shy. He was asked how old he is, and he wanted you to know that he is also 8 years old! Isn't that cool?! Okay now sit back and enjoy the rest of the show." There will be hundreds of uses for this - it's a real life saver. We will program 3 different whisper routines, so it doesn't sound the same each time you hit the panic button.

This adjusted the price a tiny bit on the Magic...but gives you both the VENT and the MAGIC in one for less than $100 with the Introductory offer, and the Panic Button is like a free insurance policy for any situation!

I'm so excited about this! We are on the downhill side of the development and will soon be testing the features in real stage situations. We anticipate the VENT will go on sale before the MAGIC version.

Also don't miss the photo of the Toucan placing an order at McDonalds! http://www.axtell.com/remote.html

Stay tuned!

Ax

Steve,
how are we EVER going to be able to resist your products, when you keep adding such GREAT features to them?

Donald...as the Borg said in Star Trek.... "Resistance is futile". : )

Ax

Can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Luke...."use the force"

"THE FORCE".... is 2.4 ghz of remote control magic that allows 80 Hands-Free puppets to perform all at once in one place without interfering with each other. George Lucas would have loved to have this technology on the set but they had to use 75 mhz RC systems when they made Star Wars...for some of the Yoda and Jabba the Hut scenes that weren't hand puppets. There was probably a lot RC interference on the Star Wars set.

They would have loved our Hands-Free Magic Puppet System technology that you folks will be some of the first to use!

Ax

All right, Mr. Axtell. I'm ready for my closeup."

How will you market this in your show? How will you use these characters to build your business?

Ax

Steve, while we are waiting for your "go" signal to order, could you post some extra videos on a live performance please.

How about showing us the insides of the toucan and chimp. That would be fantastic so we could appreciate the workmanship put into it.

Thanks,

Lou

My Hands Free Orangutan will be in my website as a major part of my act...

I will use my vinyl orangutan in one part of my act...then use the hands free orangutan in another part of the act pretending its the same puppet controlled by my hand...then Ill leave it on stage and make it move and talk while I'm away...its been done before but NEVER has it been done in Manila unless Lou gets his Hands free puppet before I order mine...and that's for sure

As for marketing...I might use the term robotic puppetry or something like that in my website... build it up with some video gimmicks...

Have to go now and try my luck in the local lottery...

Lou - We are working on some videos of live events now...from the road testings. Today top cruise vent Gary Hunter (who is headlining at the Magic Castle currently) came up from Hollywood to see the characters and he was blown away.... I'll have photos soon. He wants two toucans and a backup band of Chimpanzees! Ha! (He has to wait like you do, don't worry).

New development to announce soon..

Good stuff coming!

Check the other threads in the Café on this for more photos. Ax

Wanlu...the puppet switch to robot is a very popular wish...there will be many ways to do it. Make sure to order a matching puppet at the same time you get the Hands-Free if you want an identical match.

Ax

Updates on the webpage. http://www.axtell.com/remote.html

Ax

Media rights will be included with the purchase of these puppets. You can use them on TV and DVDs. We are working hard on the Hands-Free line right now and will post more info soon. Ax

NEWS!!!!
Axtell's "HANDS-FREE PUPPETS"
LAUNCH DATE
Friday June 27th!

We will put up buy buttons on the Hands-Free pages at midnight on Thursday. The waiting list will be made as the orders come in to us via the shopping cart system. We anticipate a 4-5 week lead time for the first orders to go out... More news to follow! No advance orders will be accepted.

This date coincides with the release of the long awaited Pixar robot movie "Wall-E"! Opening Friday June 27

Buy a robot...then treat yourself to the movie!

Questions? steve@axtell.com

See the Hands-Free Remote Control Puppets here! http://www.axtell.com/remote.html

Thank you for your orders!