Wishing you the coolest of Halloweens!

Mr. D's Cake Decorating Class

Today is Hannah's first birthday as a teen. Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Hannah!

Long before I became a puppet maker I was a cake decorator. So with the grand occasion of Hannah's special day, we held a cake decorating class for Hannah, sister Nicole, and Joy, their mother - with Grandpa/Dad as teacher. It was a very fun day and we did it all - from sifting (or "shifting" - a family joke) the powdered sugar, to cleaning up the leftovers some four hours later! TWO sport's themed cakes were created (you see one here) with all four participants taking part in the artistry.

The cakes are now history and all that remain are these pictures and some fun memories. Personally, it was refreshing to revive and employ some retired sweet artistic skills, but I do believe I prefer making puppets. So far, no one has cut up and "destroyed" a dummy the day after I've worked hard to complete it. At least, not that I know of!

Hannah

A teen at last!

Happy Birthday!

(Go Broncos!)

The view at 7 am this morning through the same kitchen window!
2-3 feet deep and still falling. (I need to see if I can find my shop!)

The large year-round indoor nativity display over our basement stairs seems especially appropriate today!

We are being treated to yet another of Colorado's amazing Autumn 48 hour snowstorms! While the depth of the snow keeps many from going to work; it makes it impossible for me to escape from my work! But the extra hours spent in my shop are put to good use. When I took the above picture yesterday afternoon the number of inches of snow outside my door actually exceeded the unusually large number of heads in progress inside! And today - I'm no longer counting nor measuring - inside or out!

From our kitchen window,

6 am, yesterday.

Permissions

Question: I have a question regarding copyrights for vent figures. May a Maher vent figure be used on television? Are they copywritten? Just wondering.
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Answer: Other than the Goldberger Celebrity dolls, any figure purchased from Maher Studios or from me personally, is yours to use as you please - on television, DVD,s, ticketed shows, etc. Enjoy!

What would you advise?

Okay - I need some advice. I pulled these fellas out of my warehouse over the weekend. Anyone know the details on these dolls (names and manufacturer)? Are they worth my spending the time to restore? Clinton

New from Animated Puppets

Kevin Detweiler writes:

Here's one of the cutest Ventriloquist Bear figures you will ever find. "Bear" with me while I describe him to you. A beautiful 22" bear, handcrafted hollowbody headstick, turn head full circle, tilt, nod etc. He also has open & close eyes, so he can blink or act like he's falling asleep. He can raise the upper part of his nose...so cute.. It looks like he's smelling or sniffing and of course he moves his mouth. You can open his mouth and his nose at the same time, it looks like he's talking extra loud or singing! We can "bearly" part with him, but he can be yours! Great for all ages. Christmas is just around the corner!

For sale now on eBay auction.
Here's the link:
Bear Vent Puppet

Lighting

By William Andersen

If you are asked to do your ventriloquial act at a party, at a store, in a club room, in a Sunday School room or some similar place not normally used for staging programs, you may have some difficulty with the lights.

The people sponsoring or running the program probably are not experienced in all the little things which are important to a performance and may place you in a very poor location. You should arrive early enough to check out the setting for lights, as well as sound and other things you need. Look for lights behind where you will do your act. If there are lights behind you where people can see them they will definitely distract the eyes from you. Turn off or cover such lights. If there is a window behind you with light coming through, cover that, too. It is not easy to see a person work if he is silhouetted against a bright light. Look for a way to turn lights to face you rather than onto the audience.
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Condensed from the chapter on "Lighting" found in Andersen's book, Ventriloquism From A-V. See post below.

Puppets To Go

From Barb Phoenix

I had a great day doing vent for children in Bronte for Canada Day. It was a great marketing opportunity as well. I did walkabout with my figure Otto... He was an instant hit with the kids.

I had also made sock puppet kits, and called them Puppets To Go... Each kit had a Puppets To Go label and a business card. I put double-sided tape on the eyes, nose and hair. and explained to the parents that they could hot glue the add-ons to make them more permanent.

The kids had a blast making them, and then talking to my puppet. I even had an opportunity to teach some rudimentary ventriloquism. Also had free colouring sheets that I had laid out out with crayons so the kids could colour. I hope I get the opportunity to do it again.

Crazy Bird for sale

Reader writes: I just saw on your blog where someone was looking for a Crazy Bird figure. I have a blue one in great condition and while I hate to part with it, my family and I now live on the road and there's just no room for more than one figure and "Roger" won the coin toss. Jay

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Email me, Clinton, if you'd like to contact Jay about purchasing his Crazy Bird and I will forward your email to Jay. mahertalk@aol.com

Rare eVent

Reader Comment: I was talking to a lady this morning from an elementary school about an entertainment need she had. I wasn't able to entertain for her since I am already scheduled to be at another school that morning. She asked if I knew of any other ventriloquists in the area. Of which I said, "Not really". It is interesting to see how unique ventriloquism is. There are definitely more magicians out there then ventriloquists. Thank you for the work you do in keeping us ventriloquists going and supporting us. Lowell Tauszik
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Ventriloquism is definitely a unique form of entertainment. Even in the Denver metro area there are only a handful of experienced vents. Considerably more magicians - you're correct in that observation. I believe that is true of most communities. Marketing statistics a vent should take advantage of when possible.

Changing wigs to change characters

Question: I'm thinking I could use the same figure for different characters if the wigs were easy to remove. I could either change the clothes between sets or have another body. What do you think?
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Answer: It's very difficult to make a male wig that can satisfactorily be taken on and off. So I suggest the male wig be installed permanently and then covered with a removable female wig if you want to change the characters in the manner you suggest. This procedure is more practical and acceptable if you do not work with the same audience frequently. Those who learn to know your characters are more likely to see the male figure as appearing in "drag" when used as a female.

Headlock question

Hi Clinton! This is a dumb question, but one I haven't figured out for sure so I will go ahead and ask. Are you supposed to undo the safety rubber band at the end of the head post while using the figure or leave it fastened all the time?
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Answer: Not a dumb question at all. More people should ask it. Personally, I prefer to unhook the headstick during performance. I like the feel of totally free movement of the head. (I even unhook the headstick when I take photos of the figures and only hook the headstick when setting it to one side, or for storage.) However, many vents like the feeling of security the "headlock" provides and never unhook it at all - for performance or otherwise. The reason I use rubber bands rather than metal springs, is due to the more elastic tension a rubber band provides. Even when connected a rubber band allows a nice range of silent motion. My suggestion is that you try operating the figure both ways, and decide which you prefer. Clinton

20,000 Courses sold = 20,000 vents?

Question: You once estimated that as many as 20,000 people have taken the Maher Course over the 55+ years of its existence. Do you think there are 20,000 Vents out there now?
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Answer: No - there's nowhere near that number. Even if everyone who took the Course were still living today there would be nowhere near 20,000. The truth is, most people who take up ventriloquism only do so for a brief period of time (months or years). Those who continue on for a lifetime are but a small percentage of those who take the Maher Course. (Not unlike dieting . . . How many who start with great intentions follow through for a lifetime of healthy eating?) But for those who do follow through, the rewards and satisfaction are more than worth it! I'm happy you (and I) are among that number!

Jugheads

From Bob Abdou:

Hello, Clinton. After seeing your blog about the toby jug repair, I took a photo of where it is now displayed, and realized where it sits is next to your other items I have collected over the years. Like your owl puppet, the red crazy bird, the Prince Albert in a can, the talking tennis racket, the repaired toby jug (with another version toby jug), and Bill Boley display plate. Behind the 2 toby jugs is a Boley purse puppet - you turn down the handle and a puppet head appears with a moving mouth and the handle becomes the hands, very ingenious.

PS: I was going to use the talking tennis racket in my show at the Clown Convention in Denver when you came to see my show, but I was so nervous performing for you that I totally forgot to use it, and I never get nervous before a show but I was that night :)

From Start To Finish...

V: Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet my best friend, (Figure's name). We have worked together for a long time now, and there's absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for him.
F: And there's nothing I wouldn't do for you either.
V: Why, thank you, (Figure's name).
F: Which is why we've spent our lives doing nothing for each other.
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F: Before we go, can I leave these folks with some words of advice?
V: Okay. Go ahead.
F: (To audience) Be nice to your friends. If it weren't for them you'd all be total strangers!

From the book Start To Finish. A collection of 100 ventriloquist dialogue gags to be used in opening and closing shows and all in between. By Pam Sterner. This book is among the many for sale at www.maherbookstore.blogspot.com

For Sale: Skeleton Doll

From Kevin Detweiler
www.animatedpuppets.blogspot.com

Okay. Here’s your opportunity for a awesome one of a kind character. I’m sure you have heard of “ACHMED by Jeff Dunham. Meet his cousin “ACNE”. With a name like that, be ready to break out with laughter! This guy will truly come alive in your hands. Just in time for Halloween or any occasion that you need to add some life to the party!

This is a true 35” Ventriloquist figure. He has a hollow body with head stick, turn head full circle, tilt, nod etc. ADDED FEATURES INCLUDE!.. crazy “POP OUT EYES”- yeah, that’s right, his eyes extend out 1½” from their sockets and then return. "LOWERING EYE BROWS" so he can look angry, frustrated, or mean! Also a "RAISING RIGHT EYE BROW", a little odd I know, but you can see it on my eBay auction (link below). And, of course a "MOVING MOUTH". All easily controlled with one hand from levers mounted on head stick.

There are a variety of ways to use this guy including “drug & alcohol abuse programs”. Be creative and you will come up with many more ideas. For extra help on ideas, we are also including a 36 page book written by Clinton Detweiler & Craig Lovik called “Dem Funny Bones” Many dialogues that entertain without compromising family values. Just a few titles of routines in this book are, “I’ve been everywhere”, “Get connected”, “What happened to you?”, “Carbon dating”, and many more. BID NOW before it’s to late!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140352701891&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Toby repair

Built by Col. Bill Boley; repaired and repainted by Clinton Detweiler; owned by Bob Abdou.

Lederhosen Oktoberfest

An exceptional find, perfect for the season. I'll ship Priority mail FREE. Authentic and traditional German Boy's Lederhosen. Pre-owned but they are in good condition - I can find only one spot of wear which is on the dark green center breastplate. Genuine Suede leather - the main color is gray with green and red trim. There are 2 pockets on the front and a small right side pocket . The waist is adjustable as are the suspenders. German sz .98 (which appears to be US boys 5-6). The inner waist band is embroidered "HOSE ECHT LEDER" full circumference. Add a pair of long stockings and a white shirt and I believe this Lederhosen would be appropriate for a full size vent figure or dummy! For sale now on eBay auction: Click Here