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Ventriloquism Site
This page is out there to give ideas to fellow Vents. Email here for ideas and suggestions.
Here's some ideas....
NURSING
HOMES
They're great! Such a good place to start out and
get in some good practice. They don't care if you make
mistakes, or if your face turns red...they don't even notice.They
also really appreciate you, also the staff enjoy it too. They
don't usually follow a skit very well. I mostly walk around
the group one on one and talk to them with Grandpa, or with a boy,
or a baby or an animal, they love it. They all love singing too.
Grandpa brags on their clothes, jewelry, hair, name, anything, it
makes them feel good. He'll reach up his hand to touch their
face, gives them kisses, they love it.
HOSPITALS
Yep! I just went to visit someone, then went on down the
hall and peeped in some rooms and they invited me in. A man
in one room was going to die in a few days the daughter wanted my
little boy dummy to sing happy birthday to him. She came back out
in the hall with me and handed me $5 with tears in her eyes. She
said it meant so much....
I tried calling for permission later, they wouldn't let me do anything
spiritual. So, it's best to just go on your own...to individual
people you meet. The nurses, etc. love it. A special section
of the hospital asked me to come, I did it for a group (Sticht Group)
mentally addressed patient. Also, they took me to some
rooms to talk to the children with my figures. Just don't talk about
their illnesses, or bandages, etc. Keep it upbeat. Don't
say "When you going home," etc.
CHARGE
It was hard at first to decide what to charge I called a couple
of clowns in the phone book and asked what they charged for birthday
parties. At the time, they charged $60 so I came right under
that and charged $50. I have been charging $100 for corporation
parties, but I'm planning to go up to $300 next time I'm asked.
It doesn't matter if they turned me down, because they don't
let me talk about the Lord anyway. I did 10 minutes of magic
and 20 minutes of vent with 3 dummies for birthday parties.
It seemed to work fine. 30 to 45 minutes for corporations,
or 2 20 minutes shows.
Since mostly what I do is my ventriloquism ministry, except for
birthday parties and corporations, I usually just say, when
they ask what I charge, " Oh, a love offering, pass the
hat or whatever you usually do for a speaker". If they want
an example, I quote my prices for birthday parties and corporation
parties and usually they will pay me kinda in the middle.
I mostly want to spread the joy of Christ, so I don't set
my price for that. Sometimes I say, "whatever the Lord
lays on your heart."Some places, like nursing homes, senior
citizen clubs, may not could pay you much, or anything, but they
need cheering up as much as anyone. The Lord is good to me.
What I don't get some places, I get in others. They are such a blessing
to do.
VOICE
I went to a voice specialist once... throat specialist...whatever, because
I was having laryngitis a few times a year. He told me to never
finish singing, or holding a note, if I'm out of breath, to never
force it.
VENT STANDS
I have two stands of which my magician father made both
of them. One is a metal pipe with glitter glued all over it, attached
to a square of wood with a coupling glued to a smaller block
of wood in the center, threaded that matches the pipe-of course.
The larger block of wood is covered with formica for the seat. The
bottom is made about the same, except for the formica. I glued 3
strips of velcro across the seat so my figure would not slide
off. This stand is heavier because of the pipe.
The other stand is entirely made of wood. The spiral pole,
you can purchase at a lumber place, 2 pieces screws into each
other and then onto a block of wood on each end. I think it has
a smaller block in the middle for support. This stand comes
apart in 4 pieces...the idea is to carry it in a suitcase,
if desired. (I've never done this). This stand is padded for a
seat with 3 strips of velcro across to prevent sliding.
I really like my stands. I've used them for about 30 years.
EQUIPMENT
I use a solid music stand...to lay my notes on, my music
I will sing, my pen and dust cloth for my Drawing Board, my
calling card to remind me to mention them and my stuff for
sell, my lapel mike and piece of candy for my throat. The
stand is quite adjustable, it will push down way low so not to
block the view of my smaller puppets. Also, some places do not have
a speakers stand available, this really comes in handy, very
lightweight, you can even make it level and sit something light
on it...like magic stuff, scarves for juggling, etc.
I used large soft colored cards in the past for my cue words and
held one in my hand. Then, I decided it would be less noticeable
to lay them on a music stand. WORKS GREAT! Also, you
never get nervous with your notes right in front of you. I
do 45 min. shows. I use new stuff a lot when I go to
since I go to some of the same places I've been before. No way I
could memorize all that.
I've also tried pinning notes on back of dummy's coat.
Still like music stand better.
My Sekaku system is WONDERFUL!!!!
I am very happy with it....very pleased... It's so small and compact!
...yet, it has good quality. Now, I've been putting it at the back
of the room....and me on the other side (at front)...and it works
even better. Someone on the list suggested that. When I do that,
I don't have to worry about not getting in front of the speaker
with my mike and accidently make it squeal. It doesn't do this as
long as I put it in front of me.....and no one sits right in front
of it....inches away.
Yes, I LOVE MY SYSTEM!
I used to carry around all a lot of heavy stuff...not anymore....
Information below by
Dan Christopher.....who sells this system.
Dan Christopher <flamagic@bellsouth.net>
Hi Folks:
I have had several vents
to ask me to give more info on the Sekaku Sound System sold by Florida
Magic Company.
It weighs 5 lbs., Amplifier...Audio
Output 20W, comes with both headset and lapel mics, auxiliary input
to hook up tape deck, extra mic, etc., will cover large udiences...even
a school gym (I know, I've tried it) sells for $389 plus $11 for
ship/handlg.
Keeping a new 9v battery
in it for each show, you shouldn't have trouble with it cutting
out. Mine is great!
Here is a quote from
the post from Dan Christopher...from Fla Magic Co....that helped
me so much..
>>In
order for the wireless to work, it needs a strong battery. When
you buy a new 9V battery, it has about 9.25 - 9.5 volts. When it
drains to about 8.75 volts you will start to have cutting out problems.
The battery will still show "good" on the self tester,
and will still work in radios, toys and other things, but doesn't
have quite enough ummph to
run the wireless. A new battery every show is a good investment
(remember reading that in my article on PAs?), otherwise, invest
in a small voltmeter that you can accurately test the battery before
every show.
>>
BTW, remember to stay
away from DURACELL batteries. They are shorter than all other 9V
batteries and move around in the beltpack causing the mic to cut
out. Use Energizer, Ray-O-Vac, Radio Shack, etc. - anything but
duracells.
Dan also sells a 12V
sealed rechargeable battery (3"x2 1/2"x2") that will
power your system for 4-6 hours between recharges....w/battery,
charger, cable..for 89....shipping under $50...$6; over $50..add
$8.
...Florida Magic Co.
1-800-818-5698 for ORDERS ONLY
Florida Magic Co.
P. O. Box 290781
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33329
Questions (954)473-1902
Fax (954)473-2541
a new 9V battery, it has about 9.25 - 9.5 volts. When it drains
to about 8.75 volts you will start to have cutting out problems.
The battery will still show "good" on the self tester,
and will still work in radios, toys and other things, but doesn't
have quite enough ummph to run the wireless. A new battery every
show is a good investment (remember reading that in my article on
PAs?), otherwise, invest in a small voltmeter that you can accurately
test the battery before every show.
.....more by Dan Christopher
on another occasion....
Feedback will be caused
by 3 things, so , for everyone's benefit, let's go over them all.
#1. Standing in front
of the speaker. Be sure that the unit is in front of you. Personally,
I position my unit about ten feet away from me, to my right (of
course, you can put it to your left) and slightly in front of me.
#2. Turning up the volume
too loud for the size room you are in. The sound bounces off the
back walls (or concrete floor!)or columns, etc. and comes back to
the speaker.
#3. A weak 9V battery
in the beltpack. Change that battery often (every show!).
Many times we turn the
volume higher so that we can hear ourselves - the audience can hear
fine. Should you end up in that situation again, as Bob said do
a sound check before the shows and, if necessary, try positioning
the unit in different parts of the room. The wireless in this unit
has a great range, so you can put the unit almost anywhere in the
room (but not behind you!). Any more technical questions, don't
hesitate to ask.
Regards,
Dan Christopher
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