Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: The Scientist on 26/01/2011 12:13:04

Title: How does ventriloquism work?
Post by: The Scientist on 26/01/2011 12:13:04

Does anyone have any experience on that? Is it really possible to speak without moving your lips and being able to speak clearly? Please share your views! Thanks!

Title: How does ventriloquism work?
Post by: Don_1 on 26/01/2011 16:42:28

Yes indeed.

Here, watch me say 'a bottle of black beer and brown bread and butter' without moving my lips:

"A Guinness and Hovis with Anchor".

Clever eh?

Part of the trick is to keep the lips close together in the first place and make a sound more like the 'wh' in 'when' in place of the letters B, P & V and stick an E in front for F. For 'M' use the back of the throat to give a 'ng' sound. Make the sounds quite soft and it comes out quite well. Of course it helps to avoid using those awkward letters in the first place.

Title: How does ventriloquism work?
Post by: Geezer on 26/01/2011 20:38:19

Hey! Watch it. Mrs G just slapped my face.

I'll "Gottle og Gear" you my lad!

Title: How does ventriloquism work?
Post by: RD on 26/01/2011 23:30:43

There is also an element of distraction: the audience is typically looking at the puppet not the performer when the puppet moves (when it "speaks"), in an otherwise still scene ones eye is drawn to any movement.

Although technique isn't important if you do your vent act on the radio  [???] ...

Quote

Peter Brough ... achieve the impossible by becoming popular as a ventriloquist on the radio

http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/educating_archie/

Title: How does ventriloquism work?
Post by: Don_1 on 27/01/2011 08:44:09

I always thought that Ray Allen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Zn3M-WMzM) with Lord Charles was one of the very best vent acts.

Quote from: RD on 26/01/2011 23:30:43

Although technique isn't important if you do your vent act on the radio  [???] ...

You've given me a great idea. Watch out for me on the next 'Britains got talent'. I shall be the vent act with a paper bag over my head. That should please the audience, and avoid frightening the pants off them into the bargain.

Title: How does ventriloquism work?
Post by: Geezer on 27/01/2011 19:16:42

Wasn't there a case where a milkman, who happened to be a ventriloquist, managed to get a some Trappist monks kicked out of the order?