Working with Puppets
Your figure can be made of almost anything. Ron Lucas has a robot that he makes talk when he flashes its lights. He also has appeared on TV with his talking socks. You can make puppets out of paper bags and many discarded containers. Figures can be made from latex masks. It is best to have a figure that moves its mouth.
Many local stores sell cute fur and felt puppets. Puppets can be found at art faires, and they can be ordered by mail. Carved figures are very expensive, usually starting at $500, so it is probably best for a beginner to have lots of puppets. Because of their relatively low cost, you can own many puppets for less than the cost of a carved figure. Many people prefer puppets. Young children often fear carved figures, yet they seem to relate well to puppets. Puppets are easier to store, and are easier to replace if damaged.
You may want to try making your own furry creature or stuffed doll puppet. Look through the pattern books at a fabric store for ideas. If you are really ambitious, you can obtain plans for making a carved figure.
Making Your Figure Talk
Now that you have practiced the basic sounds without a figure, it is time to learn how to make your figure talk. Many people think ventriloquists "throw their voices." This is not true. It is only an optical illusion. It just appears that way because the ventriloquist is looking at the figure when (s)he makes the figure talk.
Hold the figure so that his/her face is just above your shoulder. Make sure that (s)he faces the audience. The audience does not want to see the back of his/her head. Also make sure that (s)he isn't too far forward because (s)he has to look at you too!
Now make your figure say sentences opening his/her mouth as (s)he says important syllables. Don't close his/her mouth every time (s)he speaks. It will look very strange.
After your figure has said as many sentences as you wish for him/her to say, try talking with him/her. Ask him/her a question then have him/her answer. Try to carry on a conversation. You might ask him/her to tell you about something that happened to him/her today. It doesn't matter what you talk about. Just get the feeling of talking and being partners.
Next, do some simple dialogues. You will begin to get the "feel" of being a ventriloquist. Start memorizing your dialogues. Practice in front of the mirror, the dog, your family, and your friends. Even talk to the kids on the playground at school!
When practicing your ventriloquism, it is wise to stop at the first signs of fatigue or irritation. This is especially true for distant voice work where it is very easy to strain the vocal cords.
Start collecting ideas for jokes, gags, and dialogues. You may even want to design and make your own figures. You will probably want more than one figure, and puppets are fairly inexpensive and fun to use. With several figures you can practice using different voices and learning how to fit the voice to the puppet. This will take a lot of experimenting.
Whenever you get the chance, watch other ventriloquists. Read as much as you can about techniques. You will become very enthusiastic, and you will have lots of fun doing it. It will become easier for you to talk in front of groups of people, and you will feel great when you get compliments. Other people will think you are great--just because you are a ventriloquist!