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| How important is "lip control" in ventriloquism? | ||||||||||||||
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| Neil Baxter
chewbaxter@hotmail.com
- 16/02/2008 01:14 host86-135-54-191.range86-135.btcentralplus.com - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; SLCC1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506) |
| It's important but not the 'be all and end all' - I've done a routine where I chew gum to kind of draw attention to the difficultieswith this... works quite well too! :D |
| Mike Valentine
MVKartoony@aol.com
- 13/09/2007 00:52 ool-45788880.dyn.optonline.net - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322) |
| Lip control is very inportant to the front row audience, who seem to watch just your lips for the early part of the show. I agree it does help the illusion. But it certainly is not the only inportant skill that a good vent needs. Manipulation and funny material I would say is tops. My idol Edgar Bergen had those two important factors. I have worked for a long time on my lip control, so must be good at it, because I was once accused by a teenage girl in one of my audiences of having my dummy`s voice on tape, and she didn`t believe it was coming from me. I was flattered! |
| Blake
ventmanblake1@yahoo.com
- 19/06/2007 19:31 adsl-224-229-105.asm.bellsouth.net - Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/419 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/419.3 |
| I think lip control is very important. But that is not the only thing. Manipulation, prounciation, etc. I have good lip control. It took me a while to master though. |
| WANLU
thepartyzoo@yahoo.com
- 05/06/2007 13:07 203.87.181.58 - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1) |
| If you perform for kids like the kids in Manila, you better have either fantastic lip control or a great routine...otherwise they tell you... your face..."You're the one talking!!!" I don't have great lip control but I do try...but a great and funny kiddie routine will help you get away with a lousy lip control like mine. Not to forget having great looking figures/puppets will be a great help too. Howver, a good routine is not an excuse to have a lousy lip control...I think its our duty as ventriloquists to practice lip control which is actually the first thing a lay audience will watch out for. |
| Ed Howland
- 22/04/2007 22:36 cpe-24-59-210-71.twcny.res.rr.com - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows 98; Win 9x 4.90; (R1 1.5)) |
| I never catch or really even look for someone looking at my lip control. I made up a way to keep them from even thinking about it. Gramps (Axtel Old story teller) bobs his head around & up & down quickly then still looking at the crowd puts his hand to the other side of his cheek and nodding his head in a womans direction says " I think she wants to kiss you" I say WHO He leans his head & body toward the lady pointing with his head toward some lady " Her" I say Who? he does the same thing again & I do Then he does etc.3 or 4 times finally he points right at her "HER the lady in what ever (red shirt ) I say now why would ya think that? He says " Cause she 's been looking at your lips ever since she got here (even though she has"nt been) That breaks the ice every time , then every joke I Tell is not told in a form of a joke but rather I make it a personal story that has happened to gramps. He never tells jokes he tells interesting storys He's ALIVE for an hour as well he should be. I;m not just saying this hoping it will happen. This is what I'm told every where I go. And its got so I put him in the suitcase out of sight of the people I"ve entertained because they think its mean for me to put him in that little thing. Oh my lips move some too. But I guess they forgive me for that because they're not interested in me just Gramps. They talk of him as a third person. He talks so much I have already worn out two to the point they are ripped out. I've sewn them many times I'm due for another ( 2 in 3 1/2 yrs.) going on third one. I LUV IT :) |
| Dick Wilkinson
wizdick@hotmail.com
- 02/08/2006 17:50 60.224.248.183 - Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.5) Gecko/20060719 Firefox/1.5.0.5 |
| I had always thought that no lip movement was the main criteria for ventriloquists. I have looked at a number of well recognised vents over the years and indeed, lips do move! Those who do not move often have indistinct diction which I think is worse, even the "gottle o geer" syndrome. I believe that the interplay between vent and figure are more important and the misdirection which should occur is very important. I remember doing a video tape so I could watch my lips to see how I was doing. I had to watch it about five times before I could look at my lips without looking at the figure. There are always people out there who spend their time trying to "catch you out". Let 'em have there fun. Most people will be more than happy with the illusion. |
| eric jouhnson
kilnroad@excite.com
- 03/07/2006 15:24 151.204.172.162 - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0; T312461) |
| the first 90 secs count the most after that people stop watching as long as you're funny |
| Lee Wolfson
Lawven@netzero.com
- 01/07/2006 03:23 0-2pool118-88.nas20.charlotte2.nc.us.da.qwest.net - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322) |
| Ventriloquisms is a visual misdirection. To days ventriloquists master lip control. If you are just getting started, do not let that slow you down. However, since the supper ventriloquist force provide tools to get us this far why not learn the vent alphabet and lip control. If you want to be a great ventriloquist practice lip control and move on. |
| Gene Pritchard
gospelgenie@hotmail.com
- 09/06/2006 04:13 209-120-200-139.hosts.idv.net - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; Hotbar 4.5.1.0; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; MSN 6.1; MSNbMSFT; MSNmen-us; MSNc00; v5m) |
| First Place "the person you want to fool" looks is the lips. "I dare you to move your lips".... So, Don't move 'em! Lip movement spoiled Edgar Bergan and Charlie for me. The tight-smile of Paul Winchell did, too. Some, today, have the same tight smile when they "talk" for their figures. |
| Judy Buch
judy@judybuch.com
- 29/05/2006 16:10 142.159.252.64.snet.net - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322) |
| Lip control is basic. And we all can get sloppy and need to revisit basic skills. Our audiences watch our lips to see if they move before they allow themselves to get "hooked" into our characters and routines. If your lips move, they do not believe you are a good ventriloquist. As a matter of fact, they will often say, You're a great ventriloquist, better than Edgar Bergen because your lips didn't move." ...take the compliment with a big grain of salt. And build on your basic skills. |
| Gene Pritchard
gospelgenie@hotmail.com
- 28/05/2006 20:56 209-120-200-55.hosts.idv.net - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; FunWebProducts; SV1; Hotbar 4.5.1.0; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; MSN 6.1; MSNbMSFT; MSNmen-us; MSNc00; v5m) |
| I have loved watching Vents over the years, am now 67, and began to get fully involved at 65. Doing magic since 1970. Have many CD's on vent, just watch 3 of them today. Lip control helps the illusion. Without it, you're fooling no one, not that you are anyway, but it certainly makes the show more enjoyable for those watching. |
| Tim Selberg
- 26/05/2006 17:12 205.158.96.183 - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98) |
| Lip control is very important to creating the illusion of our Art. Of course everyone knows that the ventriloquist is supplying the figures voice but people don't want to be reminded of it constantly. A bobbing adams apple can also be a big distraction (especially on television). I suggest wearing turtlenecks if possible! |
| Chet Dickenson
ventriloquistdude@yahoo.com
- 22/05/2006 19:53 pool-71-112-149-36.sttlwa.dsl-w.verizon.net - Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.3) Gecko/20060426 Firefox/1.5.0.3 |
| Ask anyone on the street what the definition of a ventriloquist is, and they will reply, "Someone who can talk without moving their lips and can throw their voice." So, it is important! However, puppeteers DO move their lips and it works just fine, as it is the power of the puppet that draws one's attention. Edgar Bergen is a prime example, though a ventriloquist (who once had fine lip control.) Waylon Flowers and Madame are another example. Waylon flapped those lips, but no one cared because Madam was so compelling a character. Yet, folks see Ronn Lucas, or remember Jimmy Nelson, Paul Winchell, Willie Tyler and Shari Lewis, and fondly remember excellent lip control. |
| Conrad Hartz
- 22/05/2006 14:47 129.252.65.3 - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1) |
| Controlling yours lips as a ventriloquist is important. It is not a means to an end though. You should be very aware of it during your act as well as timing, delivery of lines and manipulation(gestures, pauses, etc.) I explain ventriloquism in every show and the figure makes fun of me and then I move on. This technique seems to sell my audience on the fact that the stories and comedy are really what they came to see. It breaks the ice. There is a whole picture here of character, voice, timing, lips, gestures, yourself, confidence, funny material, etc. To rate oneself on just anyone of these is ridiculous. Rate yourself on all and re-define and expand the meaning of the word ventriloquist. Have fun on stage and your audience will like you even better. Conrad Hartz |
| Steve Axtell
steve@axtell.com
- 22/05/2006 04:29 24-55-69-124.ventca.adelphia.net - Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.0; en-US; rv:1.8.0.3) Gecko/20060426 Firefox/1.5.0.3 |
| It's all important.... Lip control Manipulation Character Development Entertainment Good writing Showmanship Professionalism |
| Jerry Layne
Jerry@JerryLayne.com
- 21/05/2006 16:35 ip68-3-255-192.ph.ph.cox.net - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98) |
| From the audiences point of view, it's VERY IMPORTANT. They look for it. But, some of our greatest vents,Senor Wences, Edgar Bergen, Rickie Layne didn't have good lip control. More important, after the audience checks out your control is...do you entertain them? Characters, Manipulation, material then becomes more important. However, since audiences have been brainwashed (Bergen & Charlie did some of that) into thinking lip control is MOST important for a vent, you should do your best to control them anyway! |
| Jim Perkins
Jdperkins43@aol.com
- 21/05/2006 00:34 cache-rtc-ab03.proxy.aol.com - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; AOL 9.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1) |
| I think Lip Control is important , but i also think Comedy, making the puppet comet alive as Bergen did is very important , u can be a great Ventriloquist and not be funny etc, if u see this twice my computer frozed |
| Jim Barber
barber@hamnerbarber.com
- 20/05/2006 23:27 dialup-4.88.167.17.Dial1.StLouis1.Level3.net - Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/312.8 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/312.6 |
| A working ventriloquist, like a craftsperson, must take their job seriously and devote the proper time and training to master the craft. Our tools are our lip and vocal technique in addition to our stage presence, characters and material. Just as a woodcarver doesn't use a dull knife, neither should a ventriloquist have sloppy lip technique. |
| Daniel Jay Robison
danieljay@thefamilyvent.com
- 20/05/2006 17:50 www.inetdealer.com - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727) |
| My comments on lip control. I really do believe that "lip control" is very important (oops just gave away my vote answer!) to ventriloquism. The whole concept to ventriloquism (at least to the layman) is talking without moving your lips. So give us your opinion!! |
| Daniel Jay Robison
danieljay@thefamilyvent.com
- 20/05/2006 15:44 www.inetdealer.com - Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727) |
| Hey all, we're going to give this a shot so if you're looking to participate in some polls that are for the ventriloquist industry come back every month to participate in a new poll and don't foget to comment! |
