Ventriloquists' figures can come in all shapes and sizes, but should always have a strong personality.
Ventriloquism, which literally means speaking from the abdomen, is the art of speaking without lip movement to make it appear as if a dummy figure is talking. It has captivated audiences for hundreds of years and still remains an enjoyable form of entertainment for all ages. While it seems a difficult skill to master, regular practice of these techniques can help create a believable ventriloquist act.
Front Press
The greatest trick in ventriloquism is being able to speak---and be understood---without moving your lips as in normal speech. This is accomplished through the substitution of certain sounds. A key mouth movement you will have to learn is called the front press, in which you make a consonant sound while pressing your tongue to your upper teeth and moving it quickly to your bottom teeth.
Sound Substitutions
Sounds that need to be substituted are those that normally require the use of the lips: B, F, M, P, V, W. Follow these substitutions:
B: Using a front press, make the movements almost as if you are saying the "D" sound, but make sure you think of the "B" sound.
F: With teeth spread apart slightly, place the tongue in between and behind them and pass air through, as in the soft "th" sound.
M: Use a front press to substitute for the letter N.
P: Use a front press to substitute for the letter T.
V: Similar to F, but using the hard "th" sound.
W: Substitute the "oo" sound heard in "food."
Voice and Movement Techniques
Create a distinctive voice for your ventriloquist's figure using a different pitch, pace or quality. No matter what the figure's voice is, you must make sure that it is loud enough to be heard by the audience and that you articulate your words. When making your figure talk, be sure to move his mouth in time with your words. Add in head and body gestures as you grow confident in your ventriloquism.
Figure Personality
Make a distinctive personality for your figure by figuring out where he is from, what his background is, what his likes or dislikes are, how he might behave in certain situations or any other ideas you may have about what makes him who he is. Ask questions of your figure such as: How old are you? Where were you born? Are you funny? Are you intelligent? What is our relationship like? These types of questions help you develop a knowledge about your figure that will greatly help your routine.
Dialogue
Once you are used to talking as your figure, try carrying on a conversation. You can practice by first asking your figure questions and having him answer. Next, try commenting on his answer and attempt to carry on a normal conversation. Eventually, you should start memorizing your dialogues. This will help them to flow smoothly during performances and will help you add characterization and humor as you feel more comfortable with your routine.
