I started my balloon twisting with a single pump, 100 balloons, and a DVD, all part of a starter kit on special. Balloons now pay the bills.

I was wondering if anyone is aware of something similar available for vents. Is there a kit with some good instruction and a practice dummy for $100 or so ($200? If not, could you please point me to a good starter DVD and the best brand of tube socks to make my first puppet.

I'm almost exclusively a children's entertainer and would love to add this element to my show.

Thanks.

Joker, when I first got into vent, my department had a McGruff puppet. It came with a video and tapes for talking. I watched the video to learn the mechanics of how to hold the puppet and work it.

Then, I learned from a professional ventriloquist from watching his acts and practicing in front of a mirror. I am not sure of any type of starter kit like you mentioned, but it is a good idea.

Since then, I have had three puppets custom made (soft type puppets) for each of my routines. The voice is important. I have always heard that it must fit the character of the puppet. As with McGruff, I already did an imitation of his voice, so that was not a problem.

For my police pig puppet, I made it more of a Mortimer Snerd and Goofy voice. The older looking Hesteni puppet has an older man's voice. The Inspector puppet uses a Colombo and Dirty Harry voice.

Hope someone can come on here and let you know if there is a starter kit. Good luck with this. I have enjoyed doing venting for years.

Glenn

Thanks Glenn.

I am all for putting the hours in in front of a mirror, but I do believe that one has to be practicing the right way for it to be effective. So I want to find good beginner instruction so that I can practice correctly.

Joker,

send me your email, and I'll send you a "Learn Ventriloquism in 30 days" PDF files I found on the net that might help you.

Donald Woodford
woodynfriends@aol.com

Sent. Thanks.

I'd recommend you get the Paul Winchell video - available through Lee Cornell at Ventriloquism101.com

Winchell's video gives you the basics you need to know and is also the best I've seen at explaining the labials.

Also read through the information on the top locked post of this forum:
(Ventriloquism - looong... (BIlly James) )
It is extremely valuable to anyone starting.