Ventriloquist Central Newsletter

November Newsletter

Comments from Dan

The Ventriloquist Central Birthday Bash Was Great Fun!!!

Last month Ventriloquist Central celebrated our 5th year of being on the Internet with our Birthday Bash here in Boston.

When Steve and I started planning the Birthday Bash last year we really didn’t know what to expect, we just knew we wanted to have a party and celebrate with friends. It turned out to be a great time.

Personally for me there was only one disappointment. Some of you may or may not know that my partner Steve had been dealing with some medical issues and at the last minute had to cancel his flight and not be here for the Birthday Bash. However, I’m happy to say his medical issues have been resolved and he’s doing great.

But as they say, “the show must go on” and that’s exactly what we did. And from the responses we’ve received from those who attended, all in all it was a great time had by everyone. Here are just a couple of comments:

"I had the greatest time this weekend at the birthday bash! I always have a good time at the Vent Haven Convention, but this was better. What a great great time. Dan- thanks so much and well done. Thanks for sharing your home and collection with all of us."
Jim Maurer

"Thank You so much Dan for such a GREAT time at the Birthday Bash. I learned a lot, laughed so hard and enjoyed myself way more than was humanly possible. Seeing everyone there was so wonderful. Steve, wish you could have been there. There was a void because you weren't. Trish I know you had work to do, but you sure missed a fantastic time. Liza and I missed you and Lori. Dan I also want to thank Helen, you both made this Bash so enjoyable. She is such a peach ! Man I could go on and on describing the discussions and the work shops. Not even beginning to mention such great entertainment at the evening show !! One had to be there to know what I mean. This was a number one professional type of event, second to none. Thanks again for such a great time. If anyone missed it well..... you DID MISS it !"
Ron Scherer

We have created a webpage with pictures and videos from the Birthday Bash that you can see here:

Ventriloquist Central Birthday Bash pictures and video clips

I want to thank each and every guest that made the great effort to attend and I must give double thanks to all the performers and speakers that really made the Birthday Bash the great event that it was.

So in No particular order here are all those that I must thank; Ed Thomas, Ray Guyll, Barbara Guyll, Steve Hurst, Ken Shapiro, Bob Abdou, Jason Willinger, Mike Robinson and most especially my best friend in the world and wife Helen Willinger. Without doubt one of the best days I have ever spent.

After getting some feedback from some of the attendees, Steve and I are discussing the possibility of having another Birthday Bash next year. If you have any thoughts, we’d love to hear from you.

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

Learn the "Secrets of Ventriloquism"

Now YOU can learn the Art of Ventriloquism with this truly remarkable new course, “Secrets of Ventriloquism.” This course combines the secrets of the past by one of the great ventriloquist with current thoughts and ideas of modern day ventriloquists.

"I've been listening to it and there are some things on it I've not heard from any other source. Anyone who wants to know some true secrets will probably want to consider getting this one."
David Thrasher

www.SecretsofVentriloquism.com

Blogs You May Have Missed On Ventriloquist Central

Collecting vs Performing Ventriloquist Figures

After having the crowd come and see the Ventriloquist Central collection there were questions about figures used by performers and how both my collection and the Vent Haven Museum have taken away the chance for some performers to use the figures of old. I found that to be a rather profound statement ...

Frank Marshall Paint

When a performer goes on stage to do his act he must be very aware of the light conditions for his figure. If a figures paint is not done correctly either the light will bounce and reflect or will wash the color out completely....

Oil Based Paint vs Acrylic on Ventriloquist Figures

I There is always talk about which is better paint to use when finishing a ventriloquist figure. Most will tell you that the use of oils is the professional way because it has a much richer tone and blend....

Of course we had many other blogs throughout the month of October, so be sure to check them all out, just in case you might have missed one.

October Archives

Missed one of the monthly Ventriloquist Central Newsletters?

Click here for the Archives!

“The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own
Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1”

"Steve's course is very good too! You can actually see projects being worked on and see how he handles them instead of just reading about it (not that the books aren't worth having too!)."

Gary Koepke

“The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1” is a step-by-step system from start to finish, so you can create your very own ventriloquist figure. Now you can become a ventriloquist figure builder. This guide will answers all your questions, show you all the short-cuts, and give you a quick and easy paint-by-the-numbers way to making your own ventriloquist figure-- even if you don’t think you can do it.

"Hi Steve,

I purchased the “The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1”, from you last year and have finished my dummy now.

It has not taken that long to do but I have only been able to do little bits to it here and there so thats where the months have gone.

I would love to take this opportunity to thank you for putting this course together. Building a dummy has been a long term ambition of mine right from child hood when I used to make cardboard dummies.

Now all I need to finish the one I have made from your course is to clothe him. As soon as I have clothes for him I will send some photos for you to see.

Any way thanks again and look forward to hearing from you in the future."

Regards
Shane West
www.unclezoobee.co.uk

"The DVD course is everything your advertisement claims it to be! It is truly worth much more than the amount asked! Thank you very much."

Theo Roos
South Africa

"Steve, I purchased your Ultimate Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure Vol.1 DVD's just over five months ago. Let me first say, these are a MUST HAVE! I have always wanted to build my own figure and your DVD's gave me the confidence to get started as well as valuable information with the whole process! I took your advice on using the Fast Mache' method and it works! That advice in itself saved me a lot of frustration since this was my first time at figure making. I now know I can begin my second figure and it will be even more exciting than the first one. The information in the Ultimate Guide DVD's are invaluable! I enjoy watching them over and over again to gain more insight on figure building. I can't wait to get into the mold making process and duplicate one of my own figure heads! The Ultimate Guide DVD's were exactly what I was looking for and needed! Thanks so much for creating them. You truly are an inspiration to me with all the nuts and bolts of information you share in order to produce a ventriloquist figure."

Thanks Again!
Ron Cataldo

“The ULTIMATE Guide To Building Your Own Ventriloquist Figure, Volume 1”

Ventriloquist Marketplace

We have had quite a bit of activity on the Ventriloquist Marketplace. In fact, one figure I listed sold within a couple of hours of listing it, so be sure you keep checking it out.

Ventriloquist Marketplace

Pictures of Figures Added to the Website

Frank Marshall Walking Ventriloquist Figure

I am pleased to show you one of the Rarest Frank Marshall ventriloquist figures in the Ventriloquist Central Collection. This figure is a walking figure which looks like it just stepped out of the pages of Frank’s 1931 catalogue.

Ventriloquist Central Videos

Here you can view videos of ventriloquists of all kinds from the amateur, the semi pro and the pros. Just about anything to do with ventriloquists and ventriloquism, you’ll find here at Ventriloquist Central Videos.

www.VentriloquistCentralVideos.com

Videos

Ventriloquist Central Video Collecting Series – Nina Cooper’s Onessimus

A while back I showed you a new figure to the Ventriloquist Central which was owned by Nina Cooper and here is a video of this little fellow....

Ventriloquist Central Video Series – Frank Marshall Raising Eyebrows

I had a request to see up close the working of the Frank Marshall raising eyebrows. As you know I have done several blogs plus have a page on the website specifically detailing the Marshall eyebrows...

"What Would You Do If Your
Ventriloquist Figure Were
Stolen Or Destroyed?"

Here's The Best Way To Protect Your Investment

For Those Interested In The Art Of Ventriloquism

“The Ventriloquism Historical Information Collection, Volume 1.”

Final Thoughts

The holiday season is upon us and we just finished up with Thanksgiving (here in the US) and I want to thank everyone for all the comments and emails you send in to Ventriloquist Central about how much you enjoy the website. Steve and I work very hard to bring this information to you and we both love hearing the wonderful comments.

As always, if you have suggestions of items or information you'd like to see, if you have information you'd like to share, please send it to us and we'll be happy to do what we can.

Till next time,
Dan