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Week 11 [13.01- 19.01.2020] Ventriloquism


Ventriloquism some love them other hate them and there are even those who are afraid of them. Name comes from the Latin venter (belly) and loqui (speak) and as the name suggest this is the art of speaking in such a way that the sound  seems to come from a distance or from a different source than the speaker. The most popular form of ventriloquism involves the use of dolls or dummies as props and creating illusion that these inanimate toys have come to life and can speak. The puppeteer must learn to manipulate the character positioned on his knee, arm, or pedestal and engage in dialogue with him, while at the same time maintaining the illusion of life as he fulfils his duties as a puppeteer.

Traditional ventriloquial figures often referred to as a “dummy”, have heads that are carved from wood and soft bodies made from fabric. The faces of the dummies typically have moving mouths, and some of them can even be made to move their eyes and turn their heads. Today, ventiloquial figures might be made from many more modern materials, like plastic or silicone and they may have installed additional mechanisms enabling them to roll eyes, wink, blink, raise eyebrows, smoke, spit and do many more thinks.

A good ventriloquist must be a good storyteller and also be funny. You also must learn to change your voice so that it sounds different than your normal voice. Now there is alphabet which is separated into two parts there are easy one with letters A, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, L, N, O, Q, R, S, T, U, X, Z that we can tell without moving lips with a little practice  and there are also seven trickier letters: B, F, M, P, V, W and Y that require you to move your lips. To say them without moving his lips, the ventriloquist fake the sounds by borrowing other letters or combined sounds like B = D, F = “eth”, M = N, P = T, V = “thee”, W and Y = O+I.  
 

Today, ventriloquism is mostly considered as a purely entertaining art form, but venting wasn't always so fun and popular as it is today. For centuries it was regarded as dark and demonic practice often associated with charlatans, witches, and people possessed, no dolls or other props were used. Back then, ventriloquists were called “engastrimyths” they could exploit popular superstitions by making people believed engastrimyths had demons or spirits in their stomachs who belched words from their host’s mouths, ventriloquist would then interpret the sounds, as they were thought to be able to speak to the dead, as well as foretell the future.

Here are 3 video movies of Ventriloquist that I like I hope you will like them also.


1.  What do you think about Ventriloquist ?
2.  Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips ? if not try             before mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard ?
3.  Do you think ventriloquist dummy are scary ? why?

Comments

Cem Ates said…
1. What do you think about Ventriloquist ?
It's fun.
2. Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips ? if not try before mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard ?
I have tried it before, I have been watching jeff dunham's shows before and after that I have been tried it, of course it's so hard as other talents the talent's get talented with a lot of experiment.
3. Do you think ventriloquist dummy are scary ? why?
No, it's fun unless you don't use it to make fun of your collegues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAv1o9C9qow)
Roman Dubovyi said…
1. It is fun. I think I really appreciated it when I saw the first video that you provide, about Achmed puppet. This vid is really old and puppeteer plays so well that I can remember myself being really surprised when I was a kid. The humor also seem funny.

2. I never did and I never will. I can imagine how hard is it even without trying. I just don’t want to look dumb in a mirror, please forgive me for not trying.

3. Sometimes when the puppet is very detailed and puppeteer plays good, puppet can seem very humane, and yes, it’s creepy...
Maciej P s16488 said…
I think that it requires some skill to be ventriloquist and it requires a lot of showmaking skills to be successful one. I've never tried it (maybe when I was a kid but I don't have any memories about it). I am not going to try as it isn't really my cup of the tea.
I don't find ventruloquist dummies scary. I rather find them creepy and odd but not always - for example Achmed the dead terrorist is a funny looking dummy.
I think that stomach tummy is a great art.

I can't do it, the sock didn't help :(
I feel cheated because, despite my socks, I still can't do it. It is very hard.

The mannequins of these people are great! It's like the Ed, Ed, Eddy cartoons on Cartoon Network. It's great when a person is able to make other people think that the mannequin is real because he is alive. They must have once been burned at the stake for "black magic".
So, I’m not the only one that like Jeff Dunham’s and his dead terrorist show here.
Michael Winslow he is not exactly ventriloquist because he moves his mouth but If he wanted to, he could be one. Yes, he is a good example of how you can make fun of others using Ventriloquism. There was a time that I wondered if he was really doing what he is doing and yes, he is!
You are forgiven.
I also think that those puppets that are human like are creepy no wonder there are horror movies about them.
Yes, it requires skill and hard work to be good ventriloquist or maybe split personality sometimes it’s hard to say. When I see them, I sometimes wonder if they are perfectly sane. They can create completely different personalities for their puppets and when you listen to them it really sounds like two different people are talking.
Don’t make fun from dead terrorist “he will kill you!!!” XD
If your socks don’t work, try to borrow some from someone else (preferable clean one) sew some button on them as eyes and try again maybe this will help.
Some probably were burned at the stake, but they were also used in temples as messengers od god a good example could be the temple of Apollo where priestess Pythia acted as conduit for Delphic Oracle. It’s all depends who uses for what and for whom.
1. I think it's a very interesting talent. I have never met a ventriloquist in my life, if it was possible for me to go to a circus performance.

2. I have never tried it. I expect it is very difficult and sometimes has such talent. I'm a ventriloquist's suboption. Such work requires years of hard training and dedication. The effect is very funny and fantastic.

3. No, I don't think it's scary, rather funny. Although I understand why some people think that mannequins are scary. Very often mannequins appear in horror movies.
1. They can be fun, some of them can make a decent show with their “partners” on a scene even now.
2. No, haven’t ever tried it but maybe if someday I were really bored, I could give it a try.
3. Yeah, a bit, but their design depends on an artist. I don’t like puppets in general so my opinion is too prejudiced in this case.
Kyrylo said…
1. What do you think about Ventriloquist ?
A form of entertainment. I am definitely not it's target audience.
2. Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips ? if not try before mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard ?
Never tried it. I already have enough strange things that I can do with my body (ability to move ears, kind of bend the elbows in opposite direction, and write with both hands simultaneously), so having one more is not needed. Especially when I was already declared being possessed by a demon by some crazy old ladies.
3. Do you think ventriloquist dummy are scary ? why?
There are several horror movies based on that topic, so that might hint on the fact that people actually find those things scary.
I see as a skill that requires alot of deermination and work. For me it seems very hard and my first try came out very poorly. I do not think that ventriloquist dummies are scarry. I thnk the point of view dependson the purpose and theme. It may be scarry or really funny.
1. What do you think about Ventriloquist ?

It is a hard piece of art that’s for sure. I can’t imagine myself doing that, even if I knew how they do it. I can’t say that I am a fan of Ventriloquists but it is not like bothers me. It is just not something that I consider interesting.


2. Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips ? if not try before mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard ?

I have tried it when I was a child and as you might have already guessed it didn’t go that well. I had no idea how to do it and in the end I just kept on talking quietly while trying to move my lips as little as possible.

3. Do you think ventriloquist dummy are scary ? why?

It depends on the dummy, but most of the time – yes. They are creepy at least. I think I would have a problem with keeping such dummy in my room while I sleep. There something in them that causes some disturbance.
1. I think it's a fun way to create imagination and make your listeners laugh.
2. I tried stomach ache but it didn't work out well. I think that you need to spend a lot of time to do it really well. Personally, I admire people who can talk like that.
3. No, I don't think it's scary.
1. What do you think about Ventriloquist ?
I'm not a fan, watching these types of performances I never laugh but I appreciate creativity. It's good to do something interesting in life.

2. Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips ? if not try before mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard ?
hahahahaha, I tried it once but it didn't work out. I didn't feel it. It came out quite funny.

3. Do you think ventriloquist dummy are scary ? why?
It is an interesting form of entertainment for people, creative, it certainly. I appreciate that people are trying.
Anton Chechel said…
1. What do you think about Ventriloquist?
I think this is a very difficult kind of art, since I only know about it from American films, and I've never seen it before in real life. And it seems to me that Ventriloquist is no longer very interesting to society as we live in the age of computers, and because of this interest in art falls in general, so such a little-known genre will not gain much popularity, too. Although I may not be right.
2. Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips? if not try before mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard?
I have never tried to do this, and frankly, I never even thought about it. The skill might be useful in life, but for some reason, I don't want to.
3. Do you think ventriloquist dummy are scary? why?
Yes, they are a little bit. Apparently because of their big eyes and surprisingly open mouth, because the doll seems realistic enough and the mouth looks like it will fall off now. So it's a little scary
1. It's a pretty cool way to impress your friends at the party or something.

2. Yes, i tried to do it but with no success. It was pretty dificult for me and it discouraged me from learinng it

3. No, they're not scary. In my opinion, there is nothing scary about a simple doll that has it's voice coming out form somebody's stomach. Everything seems normal
Kgajewska said…
1. It takes quite a skill to do it - so i guess it's impressive in some way, but completely useless on a daily basics? It's also an art and I understand that for some people it's amazing, but, sorry, not for me

2. No, I didn't even think about trying. I think it's pretty hard to do and practice could take sooo looong. Too long.

3. None of them. When you know the trick behind it, it's not scary anymore, and I don't think that the skill which takes so much time to master, should be considered as dummy.
1. It is quite an interesting hobby! A little creepy, but at the same very impressive.

2. When I was in a primary school my classmates and I were always trying to cooperate a little on our test, so you may say that I have proper training. But seriously, no, I haven't tried it before. I did try after this presentation but it didn't sound very clear.

3. Yes! Currently, we are just used to fluent animations, this kind is disturbing at the first sign. It looks like a very strange doll that came to live to... tell us jokes? As I mentioned before, Ventriloquism is both scary and exciting.
Jakub Kisiała said…
1. Cool
2. I have not tried such strange things.
3. Rather not
s15052 said…
1. I'm not interested. It's certainly interesting to watch, but I don't get into how it works.
2. No, rather not. Sometimes, maybe by accident when I say something to myself, I will be able to speak a voice without opening my mouth.
3. No. This is the type of something that is rather strange and creepy. It's neither funny nor scary. Not for me.
1. What do you think about Ventriloquist?
Ventriloquist seems to be very fun. I like your article very much. Amazing humor and work of artists.

2. Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips? if not try before a mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard?
I've never done this before. Well, I think I won't play with a sock now. It's quite late and I have to comment on a few more articles.

3. Do you think ventriloquist dummy is scary? why?
Of course, if an actor wants to make me feel scared, I think it's possible. In general, I do not find the skimmers terrifying. Everyone speaks with their body part.
Yurii Gevtsi said…
I have never heard of this, I have seen similar performances with dolls before, but to speak without moving lips it's something new for me. I probably tried to speak like that in childhood I tried to speak with my mouth closed, and I catch myself thinking that I’m already trying to say something like that, it looks for sure strange from the side. No, I don’t think so, for sure there are toys much worse.
Kristina Moroz said…
1. I assume that I've heard about it before. It's funny, interesting and as it turns out it's also difficult. I can just remember a puppet theater to the performance of which I went once in a childhood. What about to try it in front of a mirror? I'm not sure that I would love to do it but I wouldn't be surprised if someone would did this. And actually I don't think it's scary.
1. I think people who can do Ventriloquist got big talent. I remember when I watch America's Got Talent and see Darci Lynne Farmer. She is 12 years old girl who is also ventriloquist and she sings in the same time as a puppet! She won the show. I can honestly say she this is the best show I've ever seen in TV.

2. I tried when I was a little kid but it's not my super power :<

3. I don't think it's scary I think It's funny but I saw a movie "Dead Silence" it's horror. The main story is about cursed family of Ventriloquist. I won't spoiler anything but if you like horrors I fully recommend.
Mehmet KONUK said…
1. What do you think about Ventriloquist ?
You can bring life into things just by using your talent. No need to look further to learn the superb art of ventriloquism, as you can acquire this amazing talent from the most experienced ventriloquist at affordable prices.
2. Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips? if not try before mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard ?
I have not tried, but I will really try and try. It may be difficult for me to do this because I am at work right now :). but you can be sure that I will try it soon
3. Do you think ventriloquist dummy are scary ? why?
I think it is fun, but it can also bring a different perspective to people. I liked it very much.
dominik.samsel said…
1. What do you think about Ventriloquist ?
It's very funny especially this man with Ahmed the terrorist. I love watching him.

2. Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips ? if not try before mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard ?
It's impossible for me to do that. At the same time i think it's great experience, but unfortunately I'm not able to learn that.
3. Do you think ventriloquist dummy are scary ? why?
I don't think that way. As I said before they are rather funny than scary. Maybe they are in person though.
1. This topic is not well known to me. From the my observation I think that is extremely difficult skill.
2. I have never tried ventriloquist myself, neither with friends nor in front of the mirror. After watching the video, I realized how hard it is and how much effort you have to put in learning to speak like this gentleman.
3. I definitely don't think this mannequin is scary. I think he is the one who draws all attention. If you are really good at it, you can make the viewer have the impression that this mannequin is real.
1. I am not a fan of that type of entertainment in general, so the ventriloquists are not my favourite thing.

2. Yes, I have tried that when I was a kid, but with no luck.

3. I do not find them scary.
Ivan Mazuryk said…
1. What do you think about Ventriloquist ?
It is fun and I really enjoyed reading the article. The man who created this was very tallented.
2. Did you ever try Ventriloquism or at last talking without moving lips ? if not try before mirror (you can use a sock as a dummy XD) how did it go is it hard ?
No, I discovered this for myself from the article. My life will never be the same again.
3. Do you think ventriloquist dummy are scary ? why?
Because this strange and all things which are strange we treat like dummy or scary. Or even not strange but rather untypical. This is just the art.
I've seen so many videos about that dolls, how professionally they are manipulated by puppeteer. I would say this is really funny and entertaining. Actually they look like alive and act like that.

Well, I never interested to control these kind of dolls and never done it. I think it depends on doll how hard is it to control and act. This might be pretty hard when it has many threads to control.

Yes I assume that it is so creepy. They look scary sometimes and the way how they are acting also looks strange mostly.
1. I don't like the notion. And it is not pleasant for me to even think about it. But I believe and I agree such things exist.
2. No, I never tried it. And moreover, I think no one should do that, too. We are human beings created to act and talk as we do.
3. No, I don't think this looks scary. This looks strange.

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