Ventriloquists seem kind of strange. People playing with dolls used to lead to the common misconception of “LOSER!” But these comedians with puppets are anything but loners with problems. It is a misunderstood art ridiculed by people who found it an easy target. Now ventriloquists are getting the last laugh, and so are their audiences.
Ventriloquism is not an easy art to master. When top ventriloquists perform, it looks easy. Thousands of amateurs can tell you it is not. A ventriloquist is a puppeteer, a comedian, an impersonator, and actor, a skilled linguist and a technician of the art. Skills accomplished simultaneously without any apparent effort on the part of the performer.
Consider what is happening during a ventriloquist comedy act. Only one person is on stage, yet it must seem like two or more. The ventriloquist needs to present a script while sounding spontaneous, requiring the delivery of an actor. Unlike an actor, the ventriloquist must also deliver the opposite side of the conversation. Both must sound as if they come from two distinct individuals with different voices and personalities. The banter must remain constant, with no holes in the presentation.
Talking for two involves change of pitch and speech patterns. These voices must be identical every time. After all, your voice doesn't change midway through a conversation. It you think this would be easy, try holding a conversation with yourself for ten minutes. Now try it for forty-five minutes!
Now that you have a conversation going, lets make things even more difficult. Living beings are never still. They breathe, look around and remain animated while awake. During the ventriloquist act, both ventriloquist and puppet must remain “alive.” Beginning ventriloquists will often freeze when their puppets talk. They are busy concentrating on the puppet's lines and what it will say. You will see the reverse of this too. The puppet will freeze or become “lifeless” while the ventriloquist talks.
Finally you need to add the technical skill of not moving your lips when talking for the puppet. Lip control takes years to master and constant practice to maintain. Ventriloquists need to learn how to make sounds like “P” and “B” without moving their lips. Diction must be practiced so the ventriloquist puppet can be understood.
The skill most ventriloquists have trouble mastering is comedy. What good are the skills if the ventriloquist can't make people laugh? Top comedian ventriloquists are in demand and well paid for their talents. Two ventriloquists are on the list of Forbes Magazine's top grossing comedians.
Live entertainment can provide incredible guest experiences. Your event dynamics change the moment an entertainer appears on stage. What you see on stage is only the tip of the iceberg. The performance is the shining diamond formed by the lump of coal. So what exactly goes into the creation of a live entertainment performance?
Entertainers don't just walk on stage and talk. They don't just perform their skill without effort. It should appear that way, but these results come from thousands of hours of practice. That is right – thousands.
Most professional entertainers start at an early age. They entertain their family and friends. Parents and siblings witness countless mistakes and provide encouragement. In some cases, discouragement makes the would be entertainer even more determined to succeed.
These young entertainers perform hundreds of shows and each one is a learning experience. They discover what audiences enjoy, and what they don't like. It isn't an easy path. The process can shake the entertainer to their core. Many give up when failures strike. The process is hard on the weak.
As the future acts develop, they begin to understand audiences. Each group of people creates a unique beast. Some are friendly and supportive. Others are tired and bored. People have their own problems that may absorb their attention. The entertainer must find ways to deal with these situations and provide everyone with a good time.
So when you see live entertainment, you are watching:
Hundreds of hours of technique mastery.
Hundreds of hours of script writing and refinement.
Hundreds of hours of stage choreography.
Hundreds of hours of polishing the routines.
and
Hundreds of hours of audience testing.
These mold your live entertainment into an act that can provide your guests with the experience of a lifetime.
Selecting the right entertainment is an important piece of the puzzle. When you need live entertainment for events, contact our office to discuss your plans. Our no-obligation consultation can provide entertainment ideas to rock your next function.
Keep your audience laughing with a comedy ventriloquist …
Ventriloquist comedy acts are popular, but seldom seen at live entertainment events. Of the highest grossing touring comedians ventriloquist Jeff Dunham sits at the top of the heap. Jeff's viral YouTube videos have entertained more people than any other ventriloquist in history. He is a major reason for the popularity of ventriloquist comedy.
Another comedy ventriloquist who has gained fame through YouTube is Nina Conti. Daughter of British actor Tom Conti, Nina turned to the art of ventriloquism for her comedy career. Her resulting fame has created sold out shows at Fringe Festivals. In 2013 she was cast in an HBO television series.
When it comes to comedy, a good stand up comedy ventriloquist is hard to top. Regular stand up comedians rely on word play and taking audiences on a unique look at common situations. Ventriloquist comedy acts add an extra dimension by creating the illusion of a conversation. The distinct personalities create conflict which is the basis of all humor.
There was a time when ventriloquists were viewed as a step below a birthday party clown. The image was an old man who played with a doll. That image was well deserved, since many “ventriloquists” were not skilled at the art. The only way to learn was through books. Some professional ventriloquists even steered people in the wrong direction to prevent competition.
Other professional vents mentored the best ventriloquists on their skills. Edgar Bergen, the most famous ventriloquist of his generation learned from The Great Lester. Lester is still considered one of the best by the ventriloquism community.
With the invention of video, ventriloquism instruction changed. People began to learn from first, VHS cassettes and later DVD's. Comedy ventriloquist Tom Crowl harnessed the power of the Internet to further develop the art. Crowl created time released virtual lessons. This required students to practice the skills before moving forward. His course is now considered the top resource in learning the art.
When you are planning a live entertainment event, think outside the box with a comedy ventriloquist. If you think a stand up comedy ventriloquist might be right, contact Tom. If Tom is already contracted, or his act is not a fit for your needs, he can still help. Tom is friends with most of the comedian ventriloquists in the world. We will be happy to help you select an act that suits your needs and has your audience raving!
Providing live entertainment for
corporate functions is big business.
Event planners have access to a wide variety of live entertainment choices. Selecting the right choices from this menu can be difficult. Today we take a look at some new entertainment ideas for corporate events. By following these examples, event planners can head in different directions, creating exciting events.
When planning entertainment for special events, it is good to stay fresh and current. One way to do this is to see what is currently trending in the world. Google “Current Trends” to get exciting theme ideas for your event. Other possible themes can be determined by looking at upcoming movie releases. In 2015, Hollywood will release Fast & Furious 7. Imagine your executives racing Go-Karts at your own Fast & Furious corporate function.
We've assembled a list of the Top Five Live Entertainment Options:
Ventriloquist Comedians:
Comedians with puppets are one of the hottest entertainment choices today. Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham created a renewed interest in the art. His Comedy Central specials set viewership records. Ventriloquist Terry Fator received America's votes to win America's Got Talent. Fator now headlines sold out shows in Las Vegas. Ventriloquism is not as easy a skill to master as it looks. For that reason, there are fewer ventriloquists than any other live entertainment option. This makes it extremely unique for live entertainment events, and a great option.
Corporate Magicians:
There are tons of magicians available. Most people have seen one in a corporate entertainment setting. The best corporate magicians are not performing standard magic tricks. Avoid magicians producing bowling balls. Top corporate magicians provide custom shows for something truly amazing.
Comedy Jugglers:
From corporate boardroom to trade show booth, comedy jugglers can make the day. Drawing huge audiences to your display booth by juggling your products is one possibility. Teaching teamwork through juggling techniques is another. Juggling takes coordination and teamwork, a great message that can tie into many events.
DJ'ing:
DJ's have moved beyond simple tune playing. Many are now multi-media powerhouses. Video and light projections of company logos, uplighting and other visuals set moods. Involving your guests in social media can have people tweeting music requests as the DJ brings your music and event to life.
Aerialists:
Cirque Du Soliel style amazing can set the tone of any event. From trapeze and hoops to the aerial silks, your guests will love the “Wow!”
These top five types of corporate entertainers can be easy to work with and cost effective to produce. Their acts are usually flexible enough to fit within any event's theme. In the case of the ventriloquist, your message, product, people and company can be woven into their delivery.
If you are planning entertainment for events, contact our office now. We offer a free corporate event consultation to help you determine the right entertainment for your guests.
Live entertainment encompasses many areas of the entertainment industry. People searching for live entertainment for parties though, may be seeking different results.
For example, someone may be looking for something fun to do. They might search for “live entertainment near me”. They may be looking for music, or stand up comedians that can provide an entertaining evening. In this case they are looking for clubs, bars or theaters hosting entertainers.
Someone else may search live entertainment looking for entertainment for events. That is the main focus of this article. Entertainment companies offer many forms of event entertainment. Larger firms have a specialized live-entertainment division, which handles all aspects of live performance.
Live entertainment is sought for touring, fairs & festivals, broadcast, theater and other venues. You may be thinking about big name acts like Paul McCartney, Carrie Underwood or ventriloquist Jeff Dunham. Major acts create tours that have many facets of production. These facets include promotion, publicity, merchandise, transportation, and more. They appear in large, state-of-the-art venues and entertain thousands a night.
Residency shows, such as AGT winner, ventriloquist Terry Fator, also falls under live entertainment. Acts like Terry's Penn & Teller, The Blue Man Group and Cirque Du Soliel reside at casinos. They may or may not tour, but they have an established theater. People will travel to see these shows, which include many production values of the biggest touring shows.
Another form of live entertainment is the national act. This may be a corporate entertainer or celebrity that performs one-nighters across the country. A one-nighter is a solo event not tied to another performance. This means the entertainer is available for smaller events. They are not tied into a set touring schedule that sells tickets and hosts major production. This type of entertainer is often sought when planners search for live entertainment for events.
Live entertainment also encompasses regional and local entertainers. Everything from the band that plays in several states, to the community theater of volunteers.
Live entertainment is everywhere, from club concerts to stadiums. The production value may differ, but one thing is certain:
Live entertainment is more appealing than dead entertainment any day.
If you are looking for live entertainment for parties, contact our office. We will be happy to discuss your needs and work with you to find the perfect event entertainment to delight audiences!
Considering hiring standup comedians for your next event? Before you begin, we'd like to share some interesting information that may help:
1. Most standup comedians form their acts at open mics in comedy clubs and bars. These situations can be brutal on someone that thinks they are a comic. Some bars hold an open mic just to get people through the door. Usually those people are the comics and any friends they can drag along.
These situations are far from perfect. Not knowing how to present live entertainment or comedy, bar owners don't make it easy. I've seen open mics where comedians are competing with a major sports game on television. The comedians will lose almost every time. The comedians who survive this setting learn how to battle against the odds and become stronger.
2. Standup comedians seldom have rules or limitations on their comedy. They build their audience and don't care about entertaining the masses. Many consider their standup comedy to be freedom of speech. It is their personal baby and no one should attempt to mess with it.
This makes it difficult for some standup comedians to work for corporate entertainment events. In that setting they represent the company and must follow rules. A comedian who uses foul language can ruin the evening and create headaches for the event planner that hired them.
3. Standup comedy is subjective. People have different tastes and experiences. A comedian's experiences may not relate to your audience. This happens all the time with comedy entertainment. The top standup comedians create their comedy around broad based topics so they can appeal to a wider audience.
4. Famous standup comedians sometimes suffer in private. You would think that comedians would be laughing constantly. They seem to see the funny in everything. The truth is, many famous standup comedians are just the opposite in private.
Comic entertainers can have massive mood swings that can be hard to cope with. One of the most famous standup comedians that recently dealt with fatal depression was Robin Williams. A true comedic genius, his life ended way too early.
5. Even with these pros and cons, stand up comedians are great choice for live entertainment events. Laughter reduces stress and brings people together.
If you decide to hire a standup comedian, we invite you to consider a unique style of comedy. Tom Crowl is a standup comedy ventriloquist. Ventriloquism is a popular form of comedy that leaves audiences in doubled over laughing. For more information, pricing and availability, contact Tom now.
Consider what is happening during a ventriloquist comedy act. Only one person is on stage, yet it must seem like two or more. The ventriloquist needs to present a script while sounding spontaneous, requiring the delivery of an actor. Unlike an actor, the ventriloquist must also deliver the opposite side of the conversation. Both must sound as if they come from two distinct individuals with different voices and personalities. The banter must remain constant, with no holes in the presentation.
When it comes to comedy, a good stand up comedy ventriloquist is hard to top. Regular stand up comedians rely on word play and taking audiences on a unique look at common situations. Ventriloquist comedy acts add an extra dimension by creating the illusion of a conversation. The distinct personalities create conflict which is the basis of all humor.
