Where The Magic Happens!!

Here are a few pictures of my workshop and this is where the "Magic" happens.

I am currently getting my shop ready for production of not only Ventriloquist figures, but Radio controlled airplanes and small magical illusion. With my knowledge of radio control equipment, it won't be long before I make a radio controlled ventriloquist figure. That should be a fun project!

With the summer coming the next thing to do is insulate the workshop so my small window A/C unit won't be over used and my wallet won't be over used on paying the electric bill!

I guess the one of the reasons I'm showing my workshop is to show that at one time I had a clean workshop! When I get busy on these projects, it won't be long before the workshop becomes a big mess! The funny thing is when it's clean, I can't find a thing, but when it's a mess, I know exactly where everything is! I think someone once said, "Disorganization is the sign of a Geniuses!" If that is true, I should be a Genius very soon!!! ;o)

Talk About A Headache!!!

Here I am with 5 recently cast heads. Now to build them all together. I'm hoping to make a building Jig to help decrease building time, while still making a high quality figure!

This figure will be one of my stock figures that will be available on my, soon to be running, web site.

The site will be called "Ventriloquist Workshop"

http://ventriloquistworkshop.com/

So...Stay tuned to my Blog and web site to see how things Progress. I also want to work on a daily journal that will appear on my Blog, but that probably won't happen until sometime in late May as I'm getting Married April 30th, 2011.

This has already been one busy year for me and I don't see it slowing down and That's A Good Thing! :o)

DUMBSTRUCK

When I see a TV show with a ventriloquist theme I watch it! If there is a ventriloquist comedy special on DVD, I'll buy it! And when there is a ventriloquist themed movie that is out in a theaters, You bet I'm there. The only problem is there isn't to many ventriloquist type movies in theaters...Until Now!! Hip hip hooray!! Thank God For "DUMBSTRUCK"!! ....Well not so fast! You see, we have a problem Houston!! The movie is only coming out in a selected number of theaters. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?!?!?!? Absurd!!!

As I sit here and ponder my dilemma, I ask, "Why is the movie being viewed in a limited area and who chooses these areas? Why couldn't the studio just put the movie out everywhere?" I imagine the bottom line is Money! And from what I understand it is the Money!! First the movie will go into a few selected theaters to see how it does. If it does well then the studio can put the movie in more theaters. If it doesn't do well then it will go to DVD. You would think that making copies of the movie would be inexpensive, but to make a copy of the film print can cost anywhere from $4000.00 per copy and up. Think of all the theaters just in your state and then of all the theaters in the USA...That's a lot of Theaters and a lot of MONEY!! So by testing them movie in a certain market, the studio can find out what there next plan of action is without losing there shirt!

From the promo footage that I have seen, The movie looks Great and I can't wait to see it! I can only hope that the movie does well enough that I can go see it on the Silver Screen! If not, I'll have to wait for the DVD, and watch it in the comfort of my own home on the TV Screen!

All the Best To "DUMBSTRUCK"

Coming Soon....

Mike Palma's

Ventriloquist Workshop


http://ventriloquistworkshop.com/






I will be building both full size Professional figure (38-40" Tall) and Semi Professional figures (approx 34" Tall). I also hope to carry a line of Ventriloquist related items including Vent Novelty items, Vent Books and DVDs in the very near future! So... Stay Tuned!!!

"IT'S COMING !!!!!!!!!"

I can't say anything yet, But "IT'S COMING !!!!!"

Keep checking back, because not only is it coming, but "IT'S COMING SOON"!!!!!!

Tedious work ahaed!!

Here's a little trick I use to get a smooth head and face. I use dark primer paint to cover the head. When the primer dries you can see all the little imperfections that need to be filled and sanded. This is a long and tedious process But well worth the effort when finished!!! I still have a few spots to fill and sand, but he is coming along! Remember, make it as smooth/ flawless as possible before you make your mold and you'll save a lot of time finishing the head once the head is cast!

Casting with Magic Sculpt!

This is how I used to cast my heads. I would then reinforce the head with fiberglass. It made a very strong head, but it is very time consuming.

For someone wanting to make one or two figures/ heads, this is an easy and fairly inexpensive way to cast a head.

For more information on building your own figure you check out my earlier posts and also check out a wonderful book called, "Figure making can be fun" by Mike Brose. Mike has written this great how to book which he sells on his web site http://www.puppetsandprops.com/home.html

Al Stevens has also written on not only figure making, but mechanical installation which can also be found on Mike's web site. It is located under the "Fred Project"