Okay, folks! I'm finally going to do it. I am the reluctant author. I have had numerous things "found" by people and put into print, as well as requests for skits or articles, but I've never put a book together myself. Now is the time.

The book will have tips for children's performers, from how to pack for a show to "how to control an audience".

I am going to start on this as soon as possible so I can hopefully sell it through Axtell. (No, I don't work for Steve and he won't okay this until he sees the final product.)

Here's where I NEED your help. PLEASE reply with questions you would like answers to. Or if you would like to provide a one to four sentence tip that is not taken from another source, send that too. If I like it I will include it and give you credit (but no money). You may decide to keep your tips to yourself and write your own book. Good idea!

Life is busy, BUT I hope to tackle this beginning on June 3.

So happy to hear that you're writing a book. You have consistently given advice, encouragement, and assistance to other performers. I'll be thinking of questions, etc. but I would like to put my order in now for what I know will be a wonderful resource.

Thank you for the encouraging words!

One thing I'd love to see addressed would be "what to do when things go wrong." I speak specifically about one incident earlier in my career.

Several years ago, I did a birthday party. The mother rented a large space and told me that there would be 40 kids attending. So, I planned accordingly. When I got to the party, only three kids showed up (the birthday girl, her brother, and another friend, all fairly young). Needless to say, it was the worst show experience I have ever had. One of the children was very out spoken and uncontrollable--and a heckler, to boot. There was never a time when the three kids gave a collective favorable response to the act, and, to top it all off, the birthday girl was only turning 4, so her attention span was about 5 seconds long to begin with. I gladly accepted my check at the end of my time, but I was most happy about making it out alive. I haven't done any birthday parties since (mostly because I prefer mixed audiences, rather than those that are only children--but this experience didn't help).

Having a troubleshooting section would be most helpful, especially since children can be so unpredictable sometimes.

Excellent title for a section and an excellent idea. I remember my first senior citizen's home. I was yelling but couldn't be heard over a resident who continued to say, "What's he saying? I never heard a man talk so soft in all my life. My TV show is on..etc." I was set up in front of the TV. From then on when a senior home calls I ask them if they can have the show on a family visit day, where the seniors can watch the kids laughing at the puppets, OR invite a local daycare to drop by and see the show.

Likewise, you could say that you enjoy doing a mixed audience of kids and adults so please let the little kids sit on parents' laps, Kindergarten and up can sit on the floor.

I hereby grant permission to Tony Borders to use North American spellings in his upcoming book. I have to because it's a point of honor. Secondly, I am completing the second edition of my book. Hint, the first edition baby is a drag by about the seventh correction edition. In the second edition it's just get it doneness to do it. Have to have it done by July First.
So much for the preamble. Tony, I'd prefer if I just submitted questions and you answer them in your book. Otherwise, why buy the book...many Americans would just print off your answers?
Question One..What is the advantage of a latex face vent figure over a wooden one?
Question Two ..wouldn't it be easier to use a traditional rod mechanism to make the mouth open and close?
Question Three..Is it possible to do simple, gimmick magic tricks withe the figure on your hand?
Question four..Do I call it a puppet or a figure. Is it proper in 2008 to call it a dummy?
Question Five..How do I buy a contemporary vent routine.Tony(hint) ..if I buy Mr. Steve's CD routine may I use it.
Question Six..America today is a nation of many ideologies, races, nationalities, religions and various denominations of the latter. How as a Christian evangelist can I be fair and objective to all?

Thank you for the spelling error per mission. That is ann honourable thing four you two due. Eye wheel bee shore to hues spell check. Sum of your ink queries may bee two purse an owl four such a book, butt wood bee a good add end dumb sex shun four jest such quest shuns!

1.What to do if most (if not everyone) in your local magic community charges only half of your rate...

Meaning if I charge $400...they only charge $200...

2. What to do with Copy Cats in your local magic community...

Please include lots of skits. Most ventriloquist skits are from years ago and not funny for today's era. The newer skits are for puppet teams. You have had some nice ideas for ventriloquist skits.

PS
I started peforming for elderly in nursing homes and I love it. Here's my advice for this area. Most books say use jokes that older people can relate to but I don't do this. Most have childish minds so use the same level of material you would with your 6-9 year olds but use a PEOPLE puppet. People doing silly things bring smiles. Involve the audience but differently from children.
Magic trick where I come out and use some color from different audience members' pretty skirt or shirt and place in a magic bag to color the scarf also brings smiles. I'm not sure if they understand it's supposed to be a trick but they sure like me pretending to get color from their clothes. Axtell baby orangutan (no longer made) also brings smiles when she comes out to greet the members in the audience after the show. They will talk back to her if they can. Don't expect giggles; look for attentiveness, eye sparkles, and smiles. This is more than 4 sentences but concise or use if you want to...

I appreciate the senior tip, a tough audience for which to perform. A skit book may be forthcoming, but it will be separate for the book on performing tips.

Good tips Tynabe. Tony, I'm trying to get a drift on your upcoming book. Will you include Christian evangelism in all phases or as a special chapter? Regardless, I will skip the spiritual and let you test some temporal stuff.
I was thinking while driving today and how about something on hand gestures by vent and figure's arm rod? Or what do you do with the little Antonio who wanders up to the foot of the stage and gawks? Tony, the more I think of your book then the more guilty I get about how I really have to get going on my update. By the way, I love the old routines and spend some time tracking down old vaudeville routines which are super fast comedy.Okay, now I'm out of ideas..so I'm out of here.Ron

Keep on thinking! Why, why, why? It presents some good topics! That same kid comes to my shows as well.

Will it have pictures?

A book!!! I am so glad sign me up for the first copy! I's like to give some advice about attending the ConVENTion for the first time..... but not now I am tired I have been working on my new re-release of a Rap song video I wrote, "Ribbons Rap". I am so glad you are writing. I have learned more from you than anywhere else ( well almost).
Thanks,

when will it be done?
Ribbons the clown

Ribbons the clown
Robin Bremer
www.ribbonstheclown.com
www.youtube.com/user/ribbonstheclown
www.RibbonsBelieveItOrNotBlogspot.com

I always take a sound system and they want it full blast. I say is that to loud (it is to me!) they shout NO. Its not funny if they cant hear it!
Yes they love puppet, any! Yes I do the same show for them as I do for anyone. I have a mix of all age stuff for general shows.
I also have information about Christian clowning. Its what I love to do...everywhere. Maybe I should write a book? PRAY- get YOUR specialty message from God. Each person has something burning in there heart they want to tell the world about God. Mine is that God is a GOOD GOD and LOVING FATHER. Work on YOUR message, don't try to be like anyone else or their message. I clown (most of my act is ventriloquism) for ALL denominations for all ages on a Sunday morning or children's church and my message is well received.
Ribbons the clown
Could you write about making a DVD from start to finish?

Ribbons the clown
Robin Bremer
www.ribbonstheclown.com
www.youtube.com/user/ribbonstheclown
www.RibbonsBelieveItOrNotBlogspot.com

On another thread, Tony, you talked about morphing a secular show into a religious show. I'd like to hear your advice on taking a show built for one age group and tweaking it for other age groups.

Today I performed two shows: one for 2nd-5th graders and another for 6th-8th graders. Both shows were for the same client and were 10 minutes apart but at different venues. So, I had to pack lightly to be able to move the show quickly. Plus, I had to do the same basic show for both groups for the "packing-lightly" reason. For the younger kids, I beefed up the physical aspects of the characters/humor, and for the older kids, I let the dialogue speak for itself. It worked nicely, and I ultimately had to prepare for only one show.

I'd love to read in your book any thoughts or tips about how to best tweak skits/programs to better appeal to different ages. After all, this ventriloquism stuff can reach people of ALL ages, but each group requires certain things to keep their attention and facilitate learning.

Probably not, but if you need someone to read it to you please see your local children's librarian. (Couldn't resist!)

That's a great question. I do't feel that I'm an expert on that subject and would value others opinions so I am going to write my first thoughts.
One thing ventriloquists face is that our main props are puppets and therefore have the stigma of being for children. I walked through a library once to let the kids know that we were going to start a puppet show. A young boy looked at me in horror. "I'm in the fourth grade!" I explained that there would be magic as well. He came back for a little while, but didn't stay for the whole show as most of the kids were younger than him.

So, before I answer your original question let me say what to do in case you have a mixed age, say 4 yrs. old to 12 (which I get all the time). The key is to involve the older kids first as volunteers for magic or prop holding, etc. Their friends love to laugh at the idea that they were picked and it says that this show is for that age as well.

You mentioned 6th-8th grade, which is not so much another age as another planet. Mark Twain said, "When a boy turns 13 we ought to put him in a pork barrel with a little hole in it. When he's 16, plug up the hole." Chances are high that you will have to take things out when you go up in age because they A. won't fool them or B. really are too childish. I don't think I could do this year's library show for anyone over 9 without drastic changes.

The key is to think that it is okay to have a "talent showcase opener". It doesn't have to have anything to do with the theme, but it is there to show that you have the talent you claim to have. It could be your "Who's on First" imitation of Abbot and Costello or The Auction Song. Older students will think, "I guess he/she is good." It could be magic to music. I have a magician friend who says, "Before we get into the lesson I brought some tricks just for fun."

Steve Harmer of www.motivationmagic.ca (another Canadian, Ron) used to be a principal and he recommends that you open assemblies with a showcase of your ability. He now does assemblies full-time and rides a unicycle in some as an opener. Has nothing to do with the lesson, but the crowd knows they are in for a show.

Another idea is to let the older kids know what you do for a living. "I do assemblies for elementary age students. It was a hobby that has turned into a job. I know many of you have hobbies that you love, and I want to tell you that if you can do it as a career, you will have found a great job! So I thought I'd show you my hobbies today. While I demonstrate what I do for the younger kids be thinking of ways you can turn your hobby into a career." Then do your kids show. If they get squirrelly say, "I need someone now who can act like a kindergartener. Could you point that person out to me?" Be sure not to pick the one getting picked on. "Let's try a basketball player." (They can handle the pressure.) This method is a fall back and not my first recommendation.

TWEAKING ideas:
1. Know your facts: Be ready for a Q + A, if you know your stuff.
2. You ask the questions: What are some situations outside of school where someone may be bullied? How many different places can you think of to find help in case you are being bullied?
3. Testimony time: Is there anyone here who knows someone that has a tobacco related illness or who died from tobacco usage? (Yes, Santa, I said usage.) Raise your hand if you are willing to tell us about that situation.
4. We talked about a simple topic today. Reading. My son (nephew, niece, etc.) is the same age as many of you. What author or books have you read lately that you would recommend? What book would you like to see turned into a movie?

I am a new vent How do I get my first gig...
Should my Vent Char be soft or must it be hard.
Is it important that the head turns or can the animation come from your wrist in the head?
What equipment will I need when I do my first gig?
Must I have a website right off?
How Much should I spend on my first Character?

Hard???? Ouch! Ewe..... ugh.

Soft? Ahhhh.....nice.....sweet!

Ax

and the rest of the questions answered please and go visit my new blog (ventriloquiallyyours.blogspot.com) and I am looking for a country cousin type for Joey tell me more who has the best, and a granpa type about 108 years old.

What about a section in the book that adresses how teens can get there first gig? Just a section in general about "Teens in Ventriloquism"?
Thanks for considering these, Mr. Borders
MATT
P.S. I will definantly purchase your book!!

Tony if you still have one available or did your write the other one as well where can one purchase it and how much??

No book! Sorry! Although my only job is performing (and chauffering my kids) I find that there is little free time for putting a book together. I'm not a type A personality who can get things done and multi-task. I'm more of a type zzzzzz.

tony, being also a zzz, (not a zzzz like you!) why don't you just go through these pages and all the strings and print everything you have ever written. then all it would be would be a sort and edit. I will still buy it! sign me up

Tony... how about a chapter on overcoming procrastination? Finish that book...the vent world is waiting.

Ax

More later...

How can we come up with some great adlibs? (how do you spell that word?)

How to write funny material?

How do you open the door to large corporation?

Smart advice for female to be safe and wise when working alone?



Ribbons the clown
Rev. Robin E. Bremer
http://www.ribbonstheclown.com/
www.youtube.com/user/ribbonstheclown
www.RibbonsBelieveItOrNotBlogspot.com
me@ribbonstheclown.com

How can we come up with some great adlibs? (how do you spell that word?)
Rod Stewart said in a song, "My adlib lines are well rehearsed." Adlibs are generally lines that you pull out of your memory at just the right time. Occasionally they are new, but even those will become adlibs later when a situation presents itself. You could practice in advance. For example, if the microphone shorts out what would you say when it comes back on. Something about being censored? "Usually they wait to hear what I say before censoring me." Something like, "I guess this city has a law against noise pollution."
If a loud noise interrupts the show, such as a school bell, fire engine, balloon bursting...
School bell: "I think we just won the jackpot!" or puppet looks at vent "Did you say a bad word?"
Fire engine: "I think those cops are still chasing you." or "Bad boys, bad boys, what ya gonna do?"
Balloon bursting: I have the bear say, "Don't shoot the bear!" That works for any animal and gets a big laugh.
Late arrivals, such as a class coming in. Bear says, "Look! Fresh food!"

How to write funny material?

Don't think of it as needing to be funny. Instead, think of it as needing to be clever. The best jokes are those that not everyone gets. It makes the audience members who do understand think you're as clever as they are!
You'll find many times that parents say, I loved your humor. A lot of it went over the kids heads. How to write clever material? Study, study, study. If you have an animal puppet go to the library in the kids' nonfiction section and look up interesting facts on the animal. You'll be surprised how many clever things you think of as you study. Write them down and them put them in a routine later. Doing a Bible story at church? Read the story two or three times and see what jumps out at you.

How do you open the door to large corporations?

Turn the knob to the right. Actually, the best way to get into corporations include joining a speech group (Toastmasters) in your area who meet on a regular basis to critique each other OR to send videos to several agencies. Be specific on your goals. Don't say, "I can do any age, any venue." (Have magic, will travel.) Instead say, I specialize in family events. If children are present the adults enjoy watching the children have the time of their lives. etc.
A market that seems to be disappearing is to have corporations sponsor your show at events you are comfortable with. For example, check the public relations department (or human resources) to see if they would be interested in your such and such school assembly. Example: Local hospitals spend a fortune each year on radio ads, etc. They often have money specifically for helping people stop smoking. Push your anti-tobacoo school assembly and see if the local hospital would sponsor two each at 10 schools in the area. Be very specific on the costs. In exchange let them know what you supply. I bring my own sound equipment, large enough for 350 students. I also bring 7 professional puppets valued at $2500, 7 magic tricks valued at $400 and I will leave handouts at each school for each student with the name of the hospital as sponsor of the event. The cost per assembly for printing the handouts is $35. I provide the design of the handout, the writing of the scripts and patter for the magic, the phone calls to the schools, with confirmation, and the presentations themselves. My cost per assembly is $_______. I believe I could get 10 schools to have this by Oct. 31 of 2010.

Smart advice for female to be safe and wise when working alone?

Never be alone. Ask someone to help you carry things to the car. Men love to be gallant. I really can't think of too many times that a ventriloquist would be in a dangerous situation, male or female, so you might have to be more specific to get an answer.

Does anyone have tips on how to look for available grants? And do you recommend grant writers vs. writing them yourself?

You write real good stuff, its almost like you is a college grad-u-ate, do you also write vent material on other forums and if so where can we find that?

Here are some Grant resources I found on the Web.

1. The Foundation Center
http://nonprofit.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XL&zTi=1&sdn=nonprofit&cdn=money&tm=6&f=00&su=p554.12.336.ip_&tt=3&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.foundationcenter.org/

The Foundation Center is a good resource for almost anything related to funding by foundations. The nonprofit Center sends out a free email newsletter called Arts Funding Watch as well as its free RFP Bulletin which gives listings of newly announced requests for proposals.

There is also a "Foundation Finder" that allows you to look up basic information on foundations, a Philanthropy News Digest, and links to other helpful sites.

You can also subscribe to The Foundation Directory Online. This comprehensive database details a foundation's funding priorities, and past grants it has made. The Directory is also available on a CD-ROM, with access to over 91,000 foundations, corporate donors, and public charities.

2. BIG Online
http://nonprofit.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XL&zTi=1&sdn=nonprofit&cdn=money&tm=48&f=00&su=p554.12.336.ip_&tt=3&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.bigdatabase.com/

A for-profit resource, BIG Online provides online and telephone assistance for navigating the various tools on its website. Also offers online classes to learn more about the features of its extensive database, which contains grantmakers' 990's, and a trove of relevant articles.

These and others are listed here on this resource page on ABOUT.COM

http://nonprofit.about.com/od/resources/tp/grantinfo.htm

Thanks, Steve for the information. I know also that county offices of education apply for grants so one could send material to an appropriate department there and offer to be listed in grants. Be specific. For example, offer to do a certain number of substance abuse prevention assemblies for a certain amount of dollars or bullying assemblies. Then if they get grant information they can include you as part of the grant. If you have a minority who works for you be sure to tell them, as some grants require that. I think Caucasian is now a minority in California, at least on my street.

N'Jay, I only write for the Axtell Forum. I tried posting a couple of ideas for another group but was literally insulted right off the bat. I had seen their banter before and decided I didn't need to get their e-mails. I'm sure others find them useful, but it definitely turned me off.

Tony,

I have appreciated your many, many contributions to this forum, and have gleamed much from them. Please keep them a coming.