Jeff Dunham suggested that we use 2 kinds of characters in our shows: ONE, a character that's easily relatable (Walter); TWO, a character that is EXTREME in features and personalities (PEANUT, JOSE, ACHMED).

I used my EXTREME character I named Dr. Oke (he's in my avatar, a Hartz head-in-the-box figure) yesterday in a 30-minute gig at the Manila International Book Fair here. He's all that I used the whole show; we did poetry readings, scripted material, improv, and audience participation bits in the end. Based on the reactions I got, I guess I we did great.

I presented him and dressed him up (Can you dress up a head-only figure? Yes I did... hehe) as a dead writer who has risen from the grave just to attend the bookfair. Because I love the plot, the material wrote itself very fast!

So what EXTREME characters have you created so far? Please share with us...

Relatable: Nicolo the 6 year old wise crack kid and Don Dominador the wealthy and naughty old man.

Extreme: Mang Caloy...his character is relatable, the simple everyday kinda guy...but his looks make him extreme

I'm not sure if I will still get the mummy character

Yeah, your Mang Caloy's look can be extreme, and given the right material he'll surely kill!

I noticed this about Jeff's act, and then noticed a more understated version of this theory in Kevin Johnson's act. Clyde is the extreme, with his street savy, boppin' buzzard charcter, while Matilda is reserved and demur, with a gentler voice.

I chose to take this route, since I work most of the time with very young kids, and can't go too extreme for fear of scaring them !

My sheepdog is a fuzzy plush, like you would see in many childrens' collections of stuffed animals, while Wanlu's pelican has the quirky, wide-eyed stare that shouts I AM A VERY GOOFY, STRANGE BIRD !

A little something for everyone, from the quiet, shy kids to the noisier, rambunctious kids.

I could not have done this without you, Wanlu....

Mark Pettey
Naples, FL

Mark, it was your idea and you make the puppet come to life with your manipulation and the character that you have given him...you are the man Mark

But it was really a pleasure and an honor for us to be given the chance to be a part of your great act.

Thanks again and...

...let me know when to send you a back up pelican big discount on the 2nd pelican

Wanlu

Hah ! I was just thinking today how Dale is going to become such a steady part of the show, he may need a stand-in. I have three back-up sheepdogs, so a back- up pelican is on the list of must haves. Great minds think alike, eh ?

Mark

Wanlu,

I think most folks picture a mummy as a horror (or Halloween for the US) themed puppet, and therefore limited in it's use. This need not be so though.

Dressed in clothes, with only it's head showing and a pair of dark glasses, it could be the Invisible Man. And of course this man could represent politicians hiding behind their lies, a husband being unfaithful and not wanting to be seen, etc.

With a little imagination, then, a mummy figure not only looks unique, but can be used for broader characters.

Best,
Tod

Jeff did at lecture at Venthaven 2007 on writing routines or crreative material and he said your characters should either be relateable (Walter) or ridiculous (Peanut or Jose).

My charcacters are all animals and are all a bit crazy. Horton Hogg has the "cheeky" personality, Castor LeBeavair is the crabby one and my newest - Jay Jay is a redneck bluebird - probably the goofiest of my characters.

OK. I'm a bit reluctant to admit this, but here goes. My "relatable"characters are Oscar Makyne (56 year old mind in a 14 year old body) and Mrs. Lucille Goldman (foul-mouthed cougar). My "ridiculous" figure is a talking colon (large intestine). (Thanks to Steve P for the inspiration and the permission to create this character). Why a talking colon? Well, I am a gastroenterologist....


Bob

Thanks Tod,

I agree with you but I just have too many figures that I really don't use regularly.

I don't have the gigs to use them for. Don Dom and Mang Caloy are characters I use for my adult shows which I rarely do...

Adding a mummy is cool...but I'll have to think it over again

Thanks

Wanlu

I think extreme figures went back to the 1930's with the McElroy's original troll figure. It was a pretty extreme face for sure. I have one in my collection and I can say with authority it is an extreme creation. Also Edgar Bergen's Mortimer Snerd was an extreme character for sure. Just my thoughts.
Dan
http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

I agree, Dan, that Mortimer is at the extreme side--he has looks and mind that are extremely dumb! While Charlie is relatable, a typical wise-cracking little boy.

Neale, any additional gems that you picked up from Jeff's VH lecture?

That was his biggest point - your material should either be relatable or ridiculous.

No matter what your character, the material should fit.

Jeff also talked about sources of material - everything from talking to locals about locally relateable stuff to using the newspaper to find stories that could have a funny twist.

My mentor Peter Rolston told me he has thrown out funny lines because they just didn't suit the characters he used.

Would any of you consider Jerry Mahoney's side kick Knucklehead Smiff an extreme character? I think so!! Same type character as Mortimer!!
Dan
http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Yes, I believe Knucklehead was extreme, and so was Nelson's Farfel (dog) and Pfatatita (cat). And let's not forget Todd Oliver's Irving (real dog)!

Extreme characters are extremely interesting!

I don't classify Mortimer as extreme, but more of a character type - the dim wit.

Extreme to me is like a Jalepeno on a Steek or Peanut. Something totally out of the norm.

Even my animal characters are not completely in the extreme, although I can't use the typical material for them as a lot of the jokes don't work when told by a pig or a beaver etc.

Neale we are all entitled to our opinions but if you were walking down the street and saw Mortimer Snerd walking past you I am sure you would say " what an extremely funny looking man!" but then again you don't think his look is extreme so maybe you wouldn't. LOL
Dan
http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Marshall,

Whether Mort is extreme enough to fit the thread's topic here or not, I cannot say, but with a little Sculpey and paint he certainly could be made to be anything!

Regards,
Tod