While perhaps a bit controversial, I'm going to recommend another article for you to read. It is primarily a report (with photos) from this year's convention but includes some more general comments about ventriloquists and the art of ventriloquism itself. The author has done his research and it is well written. I enjoyed reading the piece (which does not mean I agree with everything written) - see what you think:
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2011/07/25/dummy-land/
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Well, glad you enjoyed it Clinton, to each their own. As for me, i'm just glad it got here before the trash went out. Just another slam against vents.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part the author had his facts correct. When a writer has the facts correct, I'll give him the right to draw his own conclusion whether I agree with it or not. If it makes vents do a doublecheck on their own actions and presentations, then it's not all bad. And really, it's only a mild slam at vents - I wish you could have read some of my mail over the years...
ReplyDeleteI liked what Jeff Dunham said : " We are weird , ok ? Just own it . " Of course , somtimes it hurts to be called weird ( I seem to have heard that a few times over the years ! ) , so I've come up with a good comeback that I will share with you now , please feel free to use it ! When some one calls me weird , I just say , " That's because you're ordinary ". You should see them go on the defensive then ! They'll say something like " Oh , I'm weird , too ! " So I guess the moral is : It's better to be Weird , than Ordinary ! Dave Markham
ReplyDeleteI like it! I'll use it, Thanks.
ReplyDeletesomeone needs to alert this guy that public images of vent haven are a no no, they ask that no images be shown through any web source. Just by him bucking the system, makes me not appreciate his comments, whether right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteWell, then I may have crossed the line by posting one of his photos (see post above). But I did, several years ago, ask for, and receive permission to use images from the Museum on this blog and have done so from time to time. The author of Dummy Land may have requested permission. Museum officials do grant exceptions. One photographer recently spent 3 days at the museum taking authorized photos for a book he hopes to publish. I'll see if I can get an official word on the photos used in Dummy Land.
ReplyDeleteIf he had permission, I apologize. I can understand why you have 2 thumbs up. Your reputation and respect for vent should be a no brainer. This guys blog just reminds me of someone who just gets his jollies on mocking others. I am sure that this fella has some hobby and hangs out with those who share his passion. It just saddens me when a vent is a target. The convention is probably the only place where they a newbie can just be, the convention is like the city of refuge. I applaud those who give their time, talent and money for the laughter of a child or adult. Call me weird, I don't care. All I know is my audience leaves my show happier!!!
ReplyDeleteI do not believe the author's primary motivation was to "mock" others. Otherwise there was no need to do the research necessary to explain why the ventriloquist illusion is effective and believable. His technical explanation in that area is "right on" and probably the best I've read.
ReplyDeleteI will have to reread the blog, guess I am jadded and overlook the good. Sorry
ReplyDeleteNo need to be sorry. Everyone has a right to their own opinion and there's no law we have to agree on everything (although I sincerely hope we'll always agree to be friends!)
ReplyDeleteThat's a given!!! A student is never greater than his master
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of surprised that his blog posting was as balanced as it was, considering (it seems to me) the author's obvious predisposition to see the weird side of ventriloquism. (desire, even, to see it. ) He went looking for a spectacle--a wacky tidbit for the blog-o-sphere's meat grinder--but he did his homework. Very interesting.
ReplyDelete(BTW, I love puppets but even I have to admit that the idea of human teeth in a figure is kind of creepy.)
Personally, I would never use or build a figure with human teeth or human glass eyes...too real becomes spooky, even to me, and I've spent a good part the last 40 years around figures.
ReplyDeleteI agree about that particular figure. I've seen pictures of it a number of times and it always creeps me out a bit. I prefer figures and puppets that are more caricature than too human-looking.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the article, I have mixed feelings. I agree with Mr. D. that the author explains the illusion of vent very clearly, but I also think he chose to emphasize the "weirdness" of it.
Keith Suranna